Newtown’s Grand List Creeps Up By $600k

By John Voket

Newtown Assessor Chris Kelsey has certified the 2010 Grand List, showing an incremental uptick of 0.65 percent, or about $600,000 more than last year’s total. By that report, and after exemptions, Newtown is reporting $3,933,724,354 in taxable real estate, motor vehicles, and qualified personal property.

According to the report, Newtown currently carries 10,821 taxable real estate accounts, of which 1,097 are exempt from taxation.

The total net value of all taxable local personal property is $92,666,538, while taxable motor vehicles total $214,257,330, according to the assessor.

The uniform assessment date in the State of Connecticut is October 1. Each Grand List runs from October 1 of a given year to September 30 of the next year.

Connecticut Assessors use the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) appraisal guide for automobile valuations. An assessment rate of 70 percent of the NADA published average retail selling price is used as the assessed value.

If a resident is being taxed for a vehicle no longer owned, Newtown requires a plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and a second form of proof showing what happened to the motor vehicle.

The Town of Newtown requires a second form of proof in order to determine the month of adjustment.  Unregistered motor vehicles are subject to tax as well, which is why the town is unable to take a plate receipt alone to remove a vehicle from the tax role.

Applications for Newtown residents who may qualify for the Elderly Homeowners Tax Relief Program can be filed annually between February 1 through May 15 in the assessor’s office. In addition, representatives of the assessor’s office will be at the Senior Center to accept applications on certain dates through out the filing period.

Individuals may obtain these dates through The Newtown Bee and/or calling the assessor’s office. To receive Elderly Homeowner Tax Relief benefits, an individual:

*Must have been 65 years of age at the close of the previous calendar year.

*Must own and be a resident of Newtown as of October 1.

*The 2007 income limit for individuals that are single is $29,800 and $33,900 for married individuals. This income includes Social Security benefits. Income limits are raised every year.

*Residents are required to bring in a copy of their tax return and SSA-1099 Social Security Income Report. Anyone who is not required to file a tax return should bring in all documents pertaining to taxable income, along with his/her SSA-1099 form.

Elderly Tax Credit

The Town of Newtown does offer an Elderly Tax Credit. This program is offered by the tax collector’s office. For more information and requirements, contact the tax collector’s office at 203-270-4320.

Newtown also offers a Local Option Veterans Program. To apply for this program, veterans must file or have filed their DD214 with the town clerk before October 1 for the next calendar year.

The filing period for this program is February 1 through September 30. The Local Option Veterans Program is based on income levels of $41,200 for a single individual and $45,000 for married individuals.

Income qualifications are established from an individual’s federal tax return and the SSA-1099 Social Security income report and/or all reportable income forms if a tax return is not required for the individual.

Qualified applicants will receive a $10,000 assessment reduction from their real estate assessment or a ten percent real estate assessment reduction (whichever is greater) before taxes are calculated for the July tax bill.

To appeal an assessment, an individual must file an application in the assessor’s office to appear before the Board of Assessment Appeals. Applications must be received on or before February 20 of each year.

Meetings normally are held during the month of March. Real Estate Assessment Appeal Forms are available to download from the municipal website www.newtown-ct.gov.