What do I own that is subject to taxes?
Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes: Real Estate, Motor Vehicle, and Personal Property. Any land or buildings you own are considered real estate. Registered motorized or unmotorized vehicles, including cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles, are considered motor vehicles for tax purposes. Personal property is a general category which includes business equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures either owned or leased by business. Unregistered motor vehicles are also taxed as personal property. When are Taxes Due?
Real Estate - Due semi-annually - July 1 and January l
Motor Vehicle Taxes - Due annually - July 1 (vehicles registered as of October 1)
Supplemental Motor Vehicle Taxes - Due annually - January 1 (vehicles registered from October 2 through the following July 31
Personal Property Taxes - Due annually - July l (on businesses in New Canaan on October 1) What is New Canaan's mill rate for the List Year 2005?
14.044 mills ($14.044 for each $1,000 of assessed value)
Sewer taxing district is 0.633 mills ($0.633 for each $1,000 of assessed value) How is the tax (mill) rate established?
The Grand Levy is the amount of revenue in the Annual Town Budget, which must be raised by the property tax. The balance required is received from fees, state and federal assistance and miscellaneous revenue. The Grand List is a listing of all taxable properties located within the Town on October 1 of the Grand List year. The property tax rate is expressed in mills or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 14.044 mills is equivalent to $14.044 of taxes per $1,000 of assessed value. The tax rate is determined by dividing the Grand Levy by the Grand List. When does my tax bill become delinquent?
Taxes must be paid within one month of the due date to avoid penalty interest. Delinquent taxes are subject to interest at the rate of 18% per year (1 1/2% per month, $2.00 minimum), or any part thereof, from the original due date of the tax. What if I am delinquent on my real estate taxes?
The tax office sends out a "Delinquent Tax statement" after each installment as a reminder. In addition, before the end of each fiscal year, real estate liens are filed against all properties on which there is a delinquent real estate tax. At least thirty days prior to the filing of these liens, a notice of intent to lien is sent to each delinquent taxpayer. If payment is not made, a lien is filed with the Town Clerk's office. There is a $24.00 charge to release each lien, regardless of the delinquent amount due. At the time of payment, all interest, taxes and fees must be paid before the lien can be released. Can the Tax Collector waive interest?
No. Per State Statute 12-146, a tax collector does not have the authority to waive interest due on a delinquent tax. How may payments be made?
You may pay taxes by mail, in person, via on-line or by credit card on the Internet. By mail:
Payments made in July or January may be mailed to:
Town of New Canaan
P.O. Box 5101
Stamford, CT 06904-5101 Delinquent payments may be mailed to:
Tax Collector
P.O. Box 505
New Canaan, CT 06840-0505 In person:
Payments may be delivered to the Tax Collector's office in Town Hall, 77 Main Street during regular office hours (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) By credit card on the Internet:
You may pay by credit card on the Internet at www.officialpayments.com. The Town's jurisdiction code is 1731 for credit card payments.
A significant convenience fee will be charged by the vendor, Official Payments Corp., for credit card payments. |