Written by Susan Raimondo

There are some property tax relief programs that exist at the state and local levels to help individuals better afford their taxes. Some of these are mandatory, meaning that towns are required to provide relief through such programs and are, in turn, typically reimbursed by the state. Towns are also able to provide additional optional property tax relief programs, upon approval by the town’s legislative body.

In Connecticut, 76.9% (130) of municipalities have at least one local option property tax relief program. Connecticut’s Legislative Commission on Aging has published a listing of Connecticut’s towns and the types of property tax relief programs that are offered for seniors, people with disabilities and veterans. Check it out here.

In addition, the Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 12-81c. provides for an option for municipalities to exempt certain motor vehicles including those that are “any ambulance-type motor vehicle which is used exclusively for the purpose of transporting any medically incapacitated individual or any motor vehicle owned by a person with disabilities, or owned by the parent or guardian of such person, which vehicle is equipped for purposes of adapting its use to the disability of such person” provided the legislative body of the municipality adopts a definition of such vehicle.”

This great publication contains helpful information that may provide you with some financial savings. Here are some tips on how to use this document.

·         Review the state mandatory programs on pages 4-6 and the descriptions of the optional programs which are listed on pages 7-8.  

·         After reviewing the beginning of the document, check out your town listing. 

·         Contact your town tax assessor for more information. You may want to mention some of the programs that are described on pages 4-8 of the report.  Ask if your town participates in these, and if so what is needed to qualify.

Often, it is only when you ask, that you find out about some of the options that may help you save money.

Special thanks to our friends at the Connecticut’s Legislative Commission on Aging for their support and partnerships. We are grateful for all that they do as the nonpartisan public policy and research office of the Connecticut General Assembly located at the State Capitol. They fill a unique role within state government by building bridges, opening dialogue and seeking solutions between influential groups including the legislative and executive branches of state government, municipalities, the business community, and state and local organizations that serve critical needs of older adults and the broader community. To learn more, go to http://coa.cga.ct.gov/.