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Q. What types of property are subject to local property taxes? Answer Real Estate: All real property listed on the current grand list. Personal Property: Equipment, furniture and fixtures owned by businesses, unregistered motor vehicles, campers and horses. If you are a non-resident, and have personal property in town for three or more months of the year previous to October 1, 2006 is also taxable. Personal property unless a registered vehicle, can not be pro-rated. Motor Vehicles: All motor vehicles registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. These vehicles are coded by tax town and the Assessor is provided a list of registered vehicles annually by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Q. How is the value of my property arrived at? Answer Personal Property, other than registered motor vehicles, is assessed at 70% of its value, as determined by use of straight line depreciation, as of October 1, 2006. Real Property is assessed at 70% of its value as of October 1, 2005, the date of our last revaluation.
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Q. What if I receive a tax bill for a vehicle I no longer own or have registered in another state? Answer The motor vehicle tax bill you receive in July 2007 is based upon the registration of that vehicle as of October 1, 2006. With the proper proof, your motor vehicle bill may be deleted if disposed of prior to October 1, 2006 or pro-rated if disposed of between October 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007. “Disposed of” includes sold, destroyed, stolen or registered out of state and not replaced with another vehicle using the same license plate.
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Q. What are some examples of "Proper Proof"? Answer Copy of a bill of sale for the vehicle being taxed. Insurance report showing the vehicle was either destroyed or stolen and not recovered. Copy of an out-of-state registration for that vehicle showing date of original registration in another state. Plate receipt from the CT DMV showing return of plates. With the plate receipt, you must also present proof that you disposed of the vehicle. If you still have the vehicle, you are required by state statute to claim this vehicle as an unregistered vehicle on the personal property form that can be obtained in the Assessor’s office in September.
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Q. What if I got a new vehicle and used the same plate? Answer If you removed the plate from the previous vehicle and placed it on new vehicle, you do not have to do anything. The billing will follow that plate. If you did this after October 1, 2006, the bill that you receive in July 2007 will be on the old motor vehicle. In January you will receive a pro-rated tax bill on the new motor vehicle, with a pro-rated credit from the old motor vehicle applied to the new motor vehicle.
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Q. What if I have license plates that I am no longer using or have lost? Answer Any plates that are not being used should be returned to the Motor Vehicle Department as soon as possible. If the plates are not returned they keep them active for two or more years and send us the listing, creating another tax bill. If you cannot find the plates or they are vanity plates that you want to keep, write to the DMV and list them as being lost.
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Q. How soon do I have to change my address with the DMV after I move? Answer Per DMV Regulation see Section 14-17A. A person holding a CT registration shall notify the DMV within 48 hours of any change in address. This notification should include his old address and his new address. Failure to give notice required by this section shall be an infraction.
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Q. What if I no longer live in Woodstock, but still live in Connecticut and I receive a motor vehicle tax bill from Woodstock? Answer You pay the July, 2007 motor vehicle tax bill to the town you were residing in on October 1, 2006. If you did not change your address with the DMV please do so as soon as possible. (Forms are available in the tax office.) The DMV sends your motor vehicle listing to the town that is on the address of your registration, as of October 1, 2006. If the address is wrong, it will go to the wrong town and have to be transferred. We do not pro-rate between towns.
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Q. What if I feel my property assessment is not accurate? Answer If you think your property assessment is not accurate, you have the right to request the Assessor to review it. You also have the right to appeal your assessment to the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The BAA meets in March. You must notify the BAA in writing by February 20th that you intend to appeal. Forms for this purpose are available from the Assessor’s office. The BAA also meets in September, for motor vehicle appeals only.
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Q. Could I be eligible for any exemptions? Answer You may be eligible for one or more of the following exemptions: Veterans having served during a time of conflict; Spouse of a deceased veteran; Blind or disabled; M.V of active duty serviceperson stationed out of state; Forest / Farm / Open Space. Please contact the Assessor’s office at 860-928-6929 for more information.
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Q. Are there any tax relief programs for senior citizens or for people on Social Security disability? Answer If you or your spouse are 65 years of age or older, or are disabled and live in your own home, you may be eligible for a tax credit through the elderly/disabled low income homeowners program (Homeowners Program). You must apply by May 15th to receive this benefit on your July bill. Homeowners can get more information on this program by contacting the Assessor’s office at 860-928-6929.
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Q. How is the tax rate established? Answer In June of each year, the budget is voted on by the taxpayers at the annual Town Meeting. If passed, the mill rate is usually set immediately following the meeting. The property tax rate is expressed in mills or thousandths of a dollar. This year’s tax rate (mill rate) is printed on your bill.
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Q. When is my payment considered late? Answer Payments due July 1, 2007 must be received, or postmarked by August 1, 2007. Payments due January 1, 2008 must be received or postmarked by Feb. 1, 2008. By State Statute, failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from paying taxes or interest payments. If you do not receive a tax bill, contact the Tax Collector’s office and find out why.
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Q. How is interest figured? Answer If not paid by the August or February deadline, interest is charged at 1½ % per month from July 1st and January 1st respectively, with a minimum of $2.00 per bill. EXAMPLE: To figure interest due - payment made in August use 3% / September use 4½ % / October use 6% etc.
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Q. When are tax bills mailed out? Answer Real estate and personal property tax bills with two payments are only mailed in July. The Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills have two payment slips attached. One is for the July payment and one is for the January payment. Notices are put in the papers to remind you that the January payment is coming due. You should make a note on the calendar also. If you purchase real estate after July and did not receive a bill for the new property at the closing, please call for a copy of the bill for the January payment. No Real Estate or Personal Property bills are mailed in January.
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Q. What tax information do I need for federal and State income tax? Answer From January to April 15th each year, we get as many as 15-20 calls a day wanting information as to how much and when tax payments were made. Please try to keep those records available for your own information. If you really can’t find the information needed, please submit the request in writing, with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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Q. What if my bank or finance organization holds my real estate taxes in escrow? Answer If your bank is holding escrow to pay your taxes, you may not receive a real estate tax bill. Many banks request the bills directly from our office. If you have escrow and receive a real estate bill, please forward it on to your bank for payment.
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Q. What if I have a small business that I operate out of my home? Answer Anyone engaged in a home occupation, in an attempt to profit, is mandated by the zoning regulations of the Town of Woodstock to acquire a Home Occupation Permit at a cost of $10.00. Permits may be obtained in the Building Office or call 860-928-2128 for more information. Any equipment, furniture, signs, etc. used for this home occupation may also be taxable as personal property and should be claimed on the personal property declaration available in the Assessor’s office in September.
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Q. What if I am planning to take out a building permit? Answer Woodstock has an ordinance that prevents anyone from obtaining a building permit if they have unpaid taxes on that property. The Building Official can override this ordinance if it is deemed to be emergency repairs necessary to protect the safety of the public or occupants.
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Q. What if I think my bill needs an adjustment? Answer If you think your tax bill needs to be adjusted due to something you may have read in these FAQs, or some other reason, please contact Tax office or Assessor’s office by July 15th with the necessary information so we have enough time to make the correction before the payment deadline.
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Q. What if I live in a Lake District? Answer Woodstock has three lake districts. Each district has its own tax collector. Please do not include the district tax in the same check as the town. See the listing of districts and their addresses and phone numbers on the Tax Collector "About" webpage.
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Q. What if I can't make it to the office during business hours? Answer If you cannot make it into the office during business hours listed on the front of this brochure, we have a drop box in front of the Town Hall for your convenience. You can use this to make payments or drop off any other forms needed for any office in the building. We check it daily.
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Q. Can I pay both July & January installments together in July? Answer Yes you can.
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Q. Do you know that when you sell or dispose of a registered motor vehicle and you don’t cancel your registration, the Department of Motor Vehicles will keep it an active registration for two to three years even if it expires Answer The Motor Vehicle Department gives us a listing every year for the July billing of any active registrations from the previous October 1. If your vehicle is still registered, a bill will be mailed to you. The time period for motor vehicle tax bills is from October 1 to September 30.
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| | Type | Document Date | Dept | Document Title | |
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06/19/2007 |
Tax Collector |
Town of Woodstock Tax and Assessment Information for Year 2007-2008 | |
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Office of the Tax Collector
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ContactLinda Bernardi, Tax Collector
Phone: (860) 928-9469 x 318
Fax: (860) 963-7557
Email: taxcollector@woodstockCT.gov
Denise Earle, Assistant Tax Collector taxcollectorasst@woodstockct.gov x 316
Other Town Contacts |
Hours
- Monday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Thursday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday - Closed
- Sunday - Closed
Mailing Address: Town of Woodstock CT
415 Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281-3039 |
Function and Services
What we do:
It is the responsibility of the Woodstock Tax Office to administer the billing and collection of real estate, personal property and motor vehicle taxes according to Connecticut State Statutes.
In addition to collecting taxes, this Office also collects Building Department fees, Aircraft Registrations, and Sewer Use and Sewer Assessment fees.
It is the responsibility of the property owner to contact the tax collector's office if you have not received a tax bill. According to state statute, failure to receive a tax bill does not remove the obligation to pay the taxes and the accrued interest charges.
Contact us if you need help on:
- Tax Payments (Assessment questions see Assessor's Office)
- Sewer Assessments
- Sewer Use
- Aircraft Registrations
- Building Permit Payments (Apply through Building Office)
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More Information
Woodstock's Mill Rate is 17.92
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE TOWN HALL DURING BUSINESS HOURS?
USE THE DROP BOX
We have a drop box on the sidewalk in front of the Town Hall that you can use to drop off tax payments or items for other departments within the Town Hall. When making payments, please use checks only.
We check this box every morning.
TAX BILL INFORMATION
The following information may be of interest or may be useful to you regarding your upcoming tax bill(s).
The July 1, 2010 bills are based on the October 1, 2009 Grand List.
If the total tax is under $100.00, the tax is due in July in one payment.
If the total tax due is over $100.00, the amount is divided into two equal payments due July 1st and January 1st.
Bills are sent only once a year, in July. No additional bills are sent in January for the second installment.
Bills come in three parts. Keep the top part for your records; return the second part with the July payment and the third part with the January payment.
Interest will be charged as follows:
- January: Payment is due January 1, 2011. Interest will be charged if payment is not postmarked or in the office by February1, 2011.
Interest is calculated at 1 1/2% per month on the unpaid balance. To calculate August interest, use 3%; September interest, use 4 1/2%; October interest, use 6%, etc.
There are three lake districts in Woodstock that charge additional taxes. Each district has its own Tax Collector for these additional charges. Please do not include payment for these taxes in the town tax payment.
WOODSTOCK LAKE DISTRICTS
There are three lake districts within the Town of Woodstock. Each district has their own Tax Collector and they follow the same tax calendar that we do for tax bills. Each district taxes real estate based on the assessment provided by the town.
If you have any questions regarding the taxing districts bills, please contact the Tax Collector listed below for your district.
Lake District #9
Quassett Lake District
P.O. Box 134
Woodstock, CT 06281
Tax Collector: Julie Corden
Telephone: (860) 974-3197
Lake District #8
Lake Bunggee Tax District
P.O. Box 231
Woodstock, CT 06281
Tax Collector: Anna Foss Dionne
Telephone: (860) 974-2819 X1
Lake District #7
Witches Woods Tax District
25 Crooked Trail
Woodstock, CT 06281
Tax Collector: Rande Chmura
Telephone: (860) 974-1354
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MOTOR VEHICLE TAXES
MOTOR VEHICLE CLEARANCE SLIPS
Motor Vehicle Clearance Slips can be issued the same day if motor vehcile taxes are paid by cash, money order or bank check. If a personal check is used for payment, please allow 10 business days for check clearance.
NOTICE
MOTOR VEHICLE ADDRESS CHANGES
Your tax bills were delayed as the post office returned them to us for an incorrect address. The address on the Motor Vehicle bill is what the DMV has for a mailing address for your motor vehicle registration. When the post office returns the bill to us we readdress it, re-mail it, and then change it in the computer; all of which takes time and postage. The change in our computer will only correct the current list. The DMV sends a completely new list each year; therefore if it does not get changed in the DMV file it will be wrong again next year.
We are asking that you please change the address as soon as possible. The address as it appears on the label on your bill should be the correct address per the post office. We have enclosed an address change form for your convenience. Fill it out, fold over the bottom half, staple, stamp and mail. The DMV address is on the backside of the form.
Some examples of changes to be made are as follows:
1. Zip Code
If you have it listed as Woodstock 06281 and it should be Woodstock Valley 06282, they will return it
OR
If you use a street address use 06281 or 06282 (whichever applies). Zip codes 06244 and 06267 only have PO Boxes. The post office will not deliver them to your street address.
2. PO Box and Street Address
If you have both PO Box and the street address listed the post office will return it. Use only the PO Box.
3. Moving to a new address
When moving to a new residence state statute 14-17A states you must change your address with the DMV within forty-eight hours. Failure to do so is an infraction.
4. Condominium address
When listing your address use your unit number and complex name. For example: #999 Woodstock Meadows.. Do not use the street address. If so your mail will be returned.
If you have any questions please contact the Tax Collector's Office at (860) 928-9469. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES
JUST A REMONDER
ALL PERSONAL PROPERTY DECLARATION FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 1ST EACH YEAR EVEN IF YOUR BUSINESS IS TERMINATED. ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.
WHAT IS PERSONAL PROPERTY ?
All property owned by anyone operating a business in the State of Connecticut, unless specifically exempt, must be declared and assessed by the assessor. Such property is to be assessed at 70% of it’s fair market value. The values declared on the personal property declaration are to be based upon those values submitted under Federal tax returns.
Even individuals not engaged in business may own personal property subject to taxation. For example, unregistered motor vehicles ( campers, trailers, trucks, off road construction vehicles, etc) are to be declared and assessed based upon the average retail value. Horses and ponies must also be declared as personal property. Note that there is an exemption amount per animal.
The “three month rule” establishes the situs of certain personal property for the purposes of taxation for non-residents. In short, the owner of tangible personal property located in any town for three months or more shall file a personal property declaration. Personal property may be discovered by various means such as: licenses, trade name filings, newspapers, advertisements, field inspections, etc.
Each year you will receive a Personal Property Tax Form prior to October 1st. This form is used to list your personal property subject to taxes as of October 1st and is to be filed with the Woodstock Assessor by November 1st. A reminder notice of this filing date will always be posted by the 15th of October either on Town Hall property or website or in a local newspaper that has a general circulation in town. If you do not receive a declaration form, -ASK- it’s your responsibility. The town is not mandated to mail out the personal property declarations. Those of you who employ an accountant may want him/her to prepare your personal property declaration. They are familiar with the process and may even have software to process the declaration electronically.
The A B C’s for filing your Personal Property declaration.
A. File Early. An incorrect or incomplete declaration form will be returned for correction. Resubmit the form by November 1st or the 25% penalty will be added. An incorrect or incomplete filing will not be logged in as filed and will be considered a no-file.
B. No longer in business or no taxable personal property? If you receive a Personal Property Declaration, but believe you are not taxable, tell us why. Are you out of business? Is your business in another town? If you believe your property is not taxable—why? Return the form telling us all about it. If you don’t return the form with an explanation the Assessor will file for you and add a 25% penalty.
C. The returned form must be complete. Return all pages.
1. Complete the section for information about your business (description, employees, how long in town, location etc…). (long form page 5)
2. Put owner’s name or business name if incorporated on all pages.
3. Enter original cost, including transportation + installation under the proper category and next to the year purchased. If purchased prior to the last year listed on the form put total next to “Prior years”. Don’t forget Code 23-average supplies.
4. “Lessee’s report”, list anything used in the business that you don’t own. We must have the owner’s name and mailing address. Do your best with the other information requested.
5. Under “Disposal, Sale and Transfer…” we need at least the year acquired and the acquisition cost so we can make sure you are not taxed for disposed equipment.
6. Check off all allowable exemptions.
7. Signature must be original. If you are signing as an agent your signature must be notarized.
A reminder: Please file this letter with your tax records for review next October. Remember, the assessment is calculated on information received (or not received) from the taxpayer on or before November 1st. Let’s be fair to everyone and file a correct and accurate declaration. If you have questions on the Personal Property Declaration or what property is to be reported, please feel free to ask for help. The Assessor’s department may be reached at 860-928-6929 or via e-mail at assessor@woodstockct.gov.
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Sewer Use & Assessment
In the South Woodstock area, there are several households that are connected to the sewer line that was installed in 1997 by the Water Pollution Control Authority. Each homeowner on the sewer line was responsible for the initial costs of the connection fee. At that time, the costs could be paid in full or paid over a 20 year period at a 2 % interest rate, with no pre-payment penalty. Every March and September, the sewer assessment bills are mailed to homeowners that still have an unpaid balance.
In addition, there is a sewer usage fee to all residential homeowners and businesses on the sewer line. The yearly residential flat fee for sewer usage is $424.32 per unit and is billed in two installments of $212.16 every July and January. The July billing covers the time period of the previous January 1 through June 30 of the same year. The January billing covers the time period of the previous July 1 through December 31.
Businesses are on a metered sewer usage basis. Readings are taken on the businesses monthly and reported to the Water Pollution Control Authority and billed yearly at a rate of $4.65 per 1000 gallons. These bills are mailed August 1st of each year and cover the previous 12 months water usage.
*** ATTENTION ***
Please remember to pay your Sewer Use bills, as liens will be placed on all Sewer Use bills that have not been paid in full by June 1, 2010. Lien notices were mailed on May 1st to all sewer users with an outstanding balance. Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns.
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Pay by Credit Card
Credit Card FAQ
Customer Service
Safety and Security
How to Pay by Phone
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CREDIT CARD Payments for Taxes and Fees via Official Payments
As part of our commitment to provide citizens with efficient, convenient service, the Town of Woodstock has partnered with Official Payments to offer payment of taxes and fees for real estate, motor vehicle and personal property over the Internet at www.officialpayments.com/pc_entry_standard.jsp or by telephone by calling 1-800-2PAY-TAXsm (1-800-272-9829).
American Express®, Discover®, Master Card®, and Visa® credit and debit cards are accepted.
Official Payments, the service provider, charges a convenience fee for credit card payment processing, which ranges from $3.00 to 3.00%, depending on the amount due. Calculate fee.
Credit card payments need to be made by phone or online. They can not be processed in the Tax Collector's Office.
To make a payment by credit card, click HERE.
To make a payment by phone, use Jurisdiction Code 1722. You will also need the last 8 digits of your bill (list) number.
If you have questions, call the Town of Woodstock Tax Collector at (860) 928-9469.
ELECTRONIC PAYMENT BY AN ELECTRONIC CHECK (E-check)
To pay your tax bill online with an electronic check via Official Payments, click here.
You will need to select the payment type (Motor Vehicle, Personal Property, Real Estate or Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax, enter the amount of the payment, and then you will see the transaction fee ($3.00 per check) and the total payment, and then enter your personal information.
The service is easy, convenient and secure.
- No signup cost
- Electronic transactions accessible 24 hours a day
- There is a $3.00 flat fee per transaction.
- For more information, see E-Check FAQs.
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