Date: Fri 10-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

tax-collection-Mahoney

Full Text:

The Bills Are Out And Taxes Are Due

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Some 30,000 tax bills went out to residents last week. Now the collection

process begins.

The bills will pay for the town's $59.3 million budget for 1998-99. In May,

the Legislative Council set the tax rate at 26.9 mills.

The tax payment date is July 1, but no penalty is charged until August 3,

according to Tax Collector Carol Mahoney. However, some residents, seeing the

July 1 due date, often ask, "How do you expect me to pay my bill on time when

I just got it today?"

Other people call up in shock over the assessed value of their car. "If I

could get this amount I'd be happy," they often say.

But, as Mrs Mahoney explains, the value of all vehicles is found in the Blue

Book, which does not take the condition of the vehicle into consideration.

Tax bills can be paid in two installments, with the first being August 3 and

the second being February 1.

According to town officials, the average home in Newtown was assessed at

between $175,000-200,000, meaning the average tax bill is between

$4,700-$5,300.

There are 9,774 total real estate accounts in Newtown, of which 7,696 are

homes, according to Mrs Mahoney.

Residents own a total of 20,809 motor vehicles with an average assessment of

about $7,000. As far as property taxes go (office equipment, furniture, heavy

machinery), there are a total of 943 accounts.

"But I got rid

of the car."

Soon after the tax bills go out, the tax collector's office often receives

calls from residents complaining they were billed for a car they had already

disposed of. Here's why:

If you no longer own the car, but used the plates on another car, you should

still pay the July bill. Credit will be given on the old car toward the new

car billed in January.

If you sold the car and failed to return the plates to the state motor vehicle

department, the tax office needs a copy of the bill of sale and title

transfer, or a copy of the new owner's registration.

If you junked the car, the collector's office needs a copy of the receipt from

the place of business where the car was junked.

If you moved out of state, the office needs a copy of the new registration

from the other state or a copy of your new deed or rental contract showing

date of residency.

Another Good

Collection Year

Mrs Mahoney reports the 1997-98 fiscal year ended June 30 with a collection

rate of 98.1 percent, one of the town's all time highest.

Last year, the town collected exactly 98 percent of its taxes, which was also

above average.

"The economy is good and I like to think our office staff does a good job of

collecting," Mrs Mahoney said.

The town recently announced its plans to sell its tax liens, however, this

obviously has nothing to do with any tax collection problems. Town officials

say selling the liens simply ensures that Newtown receives 100 percent of all

taxes.

The town will sell the liens to a collection agency for the exact amount they

are worth. The only loss will be the interest, which is how the collection

agencies make their money, according to Finance Director Ben Spragg.