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Commonly asked questions and answers:
(Q.) What do I own
that is subject to taxes in Hampton?
(A.) 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 motor vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, RV’s and
trailers) are taxed as motor vehicles. Unregistered motor vehicles and
business furniture, fixtures, and equipment owned or leased by a
business are grouped together as personal property.
(Q.) How is the
tax rate established?
(A.) The property tax
rate is expressed in mills, or thousandths of a dollar. This year’s
(2009) tax rate (mill rate) of 24.85 mills is equivalent to $24.85 in
taxes per $1,000 of net assessed value. The mill rate is set annually
as part of the budget process by the Treasurer and the Board of
Selectman.
(Q.) What period
of time does this bill cover?
(A.) Motor
Vehicle and Personal Property tax bills sent out in July 2009 cover
autos owned and registered on October 1, 2008 and Personal Property that
was declared on October 1, 2008. Real Estate is not covered by statute
and is adjusted at the time of sale by the closing attorneys. It is
important that transfers that take place within 60 days of a due date
are checked to insure that tax payments are made on time to avoid
interest charges.
(Q.) What is the
best way to pay my taxes?
(A.) The most
convenient way is to pay by mail. You will have your check as a receipt
and avoid lines. A courtesy yellow envelope is included with your July
bill if you wish to mail your payment. Your payment must be postmarked
by August 1, 2009 for the first payment and by February 1, 2010 for the
second payment to avoid interest charges. Enclose the payment stub and
write the bill numbers on the memo section of your check. If you enclose
a stamped self addressed envelope we will return a receipt to you. When
paying in person, please bring your bills with you.
(Q.) What happens
if I pay late?
(A.) First
installment Real Estate, Personal Property and Motor Vehicle taxes are
due on July 1, 2009 payable by August 1, 2009. Second installment Real
Estate and Personal Property (over $100) and supplemental Motor Vehicle
taxes are due on January 1, 2010 and payable by February 1, 2010. You
have a one month payment window in which to pay in person or by mail
postmark. If you do not pay within this window or grace period,
interest is charged from the due date. A payment made on August 3rd
would entail interest for July @ 1.5% and August @ 1.5% , for a total of
3% (minimum interest=$2.00). Any part of a month is considered a full
month per statute.
(Q.) Can the
Interest on my tax bill be waived?
A: No. The Tax
Collector does not have the authority to waive interest and makes no
exceptions. As owners of property, taxpayers are responsible to see
that taxes are paid when due.
(Q.) What if I
never received a tax bill?
(A.) Failure to
receive a tax bill does not exempt you from payment of all taxes and all
interest charges. If you do not receive a bill for which you are
responsible, call the Tax Collector’s office for a duplicate copy. You
may fax your request to 455-0517 or e-mail
taxcollector@hamptonct.org .
(Q.) Do I need my
receipts?
(A.) Yes. Keep all
receipts for the 15 years that tax bills are collectible. Everyone
paying at the Tax Office must be issued a receipt. Payments may not be
dropped off.
(Q.) I am
improperly being billed for a motor vehicle. What should I do?
(A.) Contact the
Assessor’s office. Do not ignore the bill. Even if your vehicle has
been sold, salvaged, wrecked or stolen and the plates turned in to the
DMV, if the paperwork does not go through the Assessor’s office it is
your responsibility to notify them. You may receive a credit and you
have a limited time to act.
(Q.) I moved from
Hampton and never received my motor vehicle bill. Why do I owe taxes and
interest?
(A.) If you had a car
registered in Hampton on the assessment date, you owe the tax. A bill is
sent to the last known address. You have 48 hours to notify DMV when you
move. You must tell them each registration plate and your license # to
complete the address change. You can make this address change at
www.ct.dmv.
(Q.) I recently
replaced a vehicle and got a tax bill for the old vehicle. Do I have
to pay it?
(A.) Yes. If you
replaced one vehicle with another, and used the same license plates, you
must pay on the old vehicle now and you will receive a pro-rated
supplemental bill for the following January. This supplemental bill
automatically reflects a credit for the previously paid bill. If you
used new license plates you must apply for the credit in the Assessor’s
office.
(Q.) Could I be
eligible for any exemptions?
(A.) You may be. The
exemption categories include: Veteran; Spouse of a deceased veteran;
Blind; Totally Disabled; Motor Vehicle of an active duty serviceman or
servicewoman; Farmers/Merchants; “Freight for Hire” motor
vehicles. Special land classification assessments are available under
PA490 for farm, forest & open space. For details and qualifications, see
the Assessor.
(Q.) When should
I expect to receive my tax bill?
(A.) Tax Bills are
mailed on or about July 1, 2009, the due date. All tax bills are mailed
to property owners on the October 1, 2008 Grand List unless the Tax
Collector receives instructions to send the bill to your bank or lending
institution. Supplemental motor vehicle bills are mailed on or about
January 1, 2010. No Real Estate bills are mailed in January
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