Payments and Penalties
PAYMENTS
Real Estate, Personal Property and Motor Vehicle tax Bills over $400 may be paid in two installments, due in July and January. All bills under $400 are due in full in July. Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills (pro-rated from date of registration) are due in full in January.
Please call if you have questions about your Assessment (860-291-7260) or Tax Bill (860-291-7250).
Town hall is temporarily closed for renovations. During that time in-person and cash payments are not available. If you wish to mail your payment you can mail your payment in the return envelope provided or to: Tax Collector 50 Chapman Pl, East Hartford, CT 06108. You must mail the appropriate tax bill stub for the period being paid. This stub is validated and kept on file to provide an audit trail should any question regarding payment arise in the future.
Real Estate and Personal Property taxes may be paid by credit card or ach here: Pay Taxes Online.
Taxpayers with delinquent taxes, who need immediate clearance for motor vehicle registration must pay in full by money order or certified check through our drop box at the Community Cultural Center. There is a hold for 10 business days for online payments and payments made by personal check. Please call the office for DMV clearance.
PENALTIES
The goal of enforcement procedures is the maximization of revenue to the Town. Penalties, interest charges and legal fees are intended to deter delinquency.
Connecticut General Statutes dictate interest of 1.5% per month retroactive to the due date or 18% per annum be charged on all delinquent bills. There is a $2.00 minimum interest charge.
By Statute, failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the tax or the interest (S. 12-130). Change of address should be reported promptly to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Delinquent statements are mailed after the thirty-day grace period has elapsed. These are followed by demands for payment or Alias Tax Warrants, which impose an additional $6.00 fee. These may be mailed or delivered by a sheriff or constable who, by statute, is entitled to 15% of monies collected or a minimum of $20.00 and reasonable expenses.
All delinquent Motor Vehicle Tax Bills are reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles which then denies subsequent registration of any vehicle in that name. Payment in full by money order or certified check is then required in order to obtain clearance for registration of your vehicle.
Property tax liens secure the payment of taxes by preventing the sale of a property unless the amount of lien is paid to the lienholder. Notices of intent to lien are mailed annually and thirty days allotted for payment after which the lien is filed on the land records. The tax lien carries with it an additional $24.00 dollar penalty and is superior to mortgage liens.
Foreclosure of liened property is the most aggressive enforcement action. The Collector establishes the criteria for such action and Corporation Counsel at the direction of the Collector pursues legal action.
Checks that are returned due to non-sufficient funds are subject to a penalty of $20.00. The maker of the check is notified and payment is requested in the form of cash, money order or certified check. When a bad check is received and clearance has been given for delinquent motor vehicle taxes, DMV may be notified to suspend registration.