Assessor: Don’t Do The Math On Revaluation Notices Yet

By John Voket

More than 10,000 revaluation notices went out to Newtown residents in recent days, triggering a flood of calls and visits to various town offices this week. While many expressed concern over apparent tax increases residents will face because of the increase in value of their properties, Assessor Thomas DeNoto reminded taxpayers that they may be calculating an unnecessarily high payment if they multiply the new assessments by the current mill rate.

A mill represents one dollar in taxation for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

“The current mill rate of 28.1 will be reduced, which will affect the bottom line amount of taxes due next July,” Mr DeNoto reassured. “But that new mill rate is not resolved until after the local budget is passed next spring.”

The assessor also said individuals who receive any or all available local tax benefits like veteran, emergency service, or senior relief will not see that applied to the revaluation notices they are receiving now.

“Those individuals or families who qualify for relief programs will have that benefit deducted before they receive their adjusted tax bill next June,” Mr DeNoto said.

The assessor said based on his experience, and what he hears from others in his field, the natural assumption when property owners open their reval notices is to assume the assessment increase is directly proportionate to the percentage of personal tax liability.

“But that is false,” Mr DeNoto said. “Everyone will see an elevation in their taxes, but not in proportion to their assessment increase.”

Individuals who receive their notices and want to schedule a hearing to provide evidence or advocacy for an adjustment can do so on a 24/7 basis through the valuation consultant’s website, www.totalvaluation.com. Prior to December 21, taxpayers may also call toll-free, 866-311-2026, and appointments will be scheduled through December 31.

No walk-ins will be accepted during this session of meetings between taxpayers and the revaluation company.

Once preliminary hearings are completed and the company issues revised notices of change or no change, residents who still believe their new market value is inaccurate may schedule a second hearing with the Newtown Board of Assessment Appeals. Taxpayers must file the prescribed appeal form by February 20, which can be picked up at the assessor’s office or printed and completed from the town website, www.newtown-ct.gov.

Mr DeNoto apologized in advance if anyone attempting to access the totalvaluation.com site in the coming days experiences temporary difficulties because the site is being constantly upgraded as the latest market values are factored into the site’s valuation figures.

The assessor said while notices went out to most of the residential homeowners in town, condominium and commercial notices have yet to be sent. Mr DeNoto told The Newtown Bee that based on the outcome of the hearings and meetings with taxpayers, he expects the town’s Grand List to increase from $3.3 billion to between $4.75 and $5 billion.

“About 80 percent of our taxation comes from residential and 20 percent from commercial,” Mr DeNoto said.