FAQs

You may be. The exemption categories include Veteran; Spouse of a deceased Veteran; Blind; Totally Disabled; Motor Vehicle of a Serviceman or Servicewoman (active duty); Farmers / Merchants, Forest and Open Space. For details about these exemptions, or if you think you may qualify, contact the Assessor's Office at (860) 826-3323. Veterans' & other exemptions, if any, appear in the total exemptions ("exempt") box on your tax bill.

Yes! If you or your spouse are age 65 or older, permanently reside in New Britain (legal residence), and own your own home, and meet certain income restrictions, you may be eligible for one or more forms of city or state financed property tax credits and/or tax deferral. To inquire about eligibility, or for information about these programs, contact the Assessor's Office at (860) 826-3323. You may also inquire in person at the Assessor's Office, Room 108 at City Hall. If you are a renter and meet certain income restrictions, you may qualify for another type of program. Please contact the Community Services Office, located here in City Hall, 3 rd Floor to find out. Their telephone: (860) 826-3366.

Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 12-130 states "Failure to send out or receive any such bill or statement shall not invalidate the tax." Taxpayers are responsible for all owed taxes (and any accrued interest if applicable) whether or not a bill is received. If you do not receive a bill you are responsible for, please contact the Tax Collector's office @ (860) 826-3317 and request a copy.

YES. Save your receipts for 15 years. This is the collectible time period according to State Statute. Receipts will be issued for payments made in person at the Tax Office window. Enclose a SASE (self addressed stamped envelope) with mailed payments and a receipt will be sent back to you. You must retain your own payment information for purposes of claiming tax credits and filling out federal and state income tax forms. Requests for information about payments made in prior fiscal years must be in writing; a fee is charged for research. Please plan ahead, as research will not be done while you wait.

You need a business license from the city.

The property tax rate is expressed in mills, or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 44.12 mills is equivalent to $44.12 in taxes per $1,000 of net assessed value. It is set (established) annually in May/ June as part of the City of New Britain's municipal budget process.

Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes:

Real Estate: Any land and/or buildings.
Motor Vehicle: Registered and non-registered motorized or non-motorized vehicles (cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles)
Personal Property: A general category including business equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures either owned or leased by business. Unregistered motor vehicles are also taxed as personal property.

Taxes are due July 1st and January 1st. If a tax bill is $200 or less, the full amount is due on July 1st.

Telephone; 860-826-3317
Fax: 860-612-4206

Telephone: 860-826-3323
Fax: 860-612-5013

Questions about tax billings, delinquent taxes, amounts paid, interest charged and motor vehicle releases should be directed to the Tax Collector's Office.

Questions about assessed value, adjustments, exemptions, credits, tax relief programs, motor vehicle credits, revaluation and vehicle adjustments should be directed to the Tax Assessor's Office.

Taxes are due twice a year. You have a one-month "grace" period in which to pay without penalty, either in person or by mail. The first payment is due on July 1 st and must be paid by August 1st to avoid interest charges. The second installment is due on January 1 st and must be paid by February 1st to avoid interest charges. In accordance with CGS 12-146, past due payments are subject to interest at the rate of one and one half percent (1.5 %) per month from the due date of the tax (July 1). Payments made on or after August 2nd, including payments postmarked Aug. 2nd and later, are past due and will incur 3% interest, representing two months' delinquency (July & August) from the original July 1 due date. The City is required by law to accept postmarks as the date of payment. Payments made on or after February 2nd follow the same protocol. There is a $2.00 minimum interest charge per account.

No. The Tax Collector does not have the authority to waive interest and can make NO EXCEPTIONS. (CGS 12-146) Property owners are responsible to pay taxes when due.

According to our records, there are past due taxes in your name or on the parcel of property in question. Call (860) 826-3317 with questions. Delinquent taxes and interest must be paid in full before payment on current bills can be accepted. Any payment you send in toward current taxes will be applied to outstanding back taxes.

Contact the Assessor's Office at ph (860) 826-3323 or fax (860) 612-5013 as soon as possible. DO NOT IGNORE YOUR BILL!

You may be entitled to a credit if any of these situations applies to you:

• If your vehicle has been sold, and plates returned to DMV;
• Stolen and not recovered;
• Declared a total loss;
• If you have moved from the City of New Britain or the State of Connecticut.

Contact the Assessor's Office for information regarding the acceptable forms of proof for the issuance of a credit. Two forms of written proof are required. You must apply for the credit within a limited time, so do not delay! Here is a link to an informational form ( Motor Vehicle form ) to get you started.

Your tax town is your town of residency as of October 1. If you moved from New Britain after October 1, but still reside in Connecticut, you must pay vehicle taxes to New Britain. Municipalities within Connecticut do not apportion motor vehicle tax bills for portions of a tax year. If you register the vehicle in another state, contact the Assessor's Office. If you move, you must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address within 48 hours. You should request a change of address on your driver's license and on your vehicle registration(s).

Yes. If you replaced one vehicle with another, and used the same license plates, you must pay on the "old" vehicle in July. In December, you will receive a pro-rated Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax Bill, due by February 1 for the new vehicle. This bill will reflect a credit for the amount you should have paid in July on the old vehicle. You will receive this credit without having to apply for it. However, you must have paid the entire amount due on the old vehicle in July. If you obtained new license plates for the new vehicle, you must apply for a credit. Contact the Assessors Office at (860) 826-3323 or by fax at (860) 612-5013.

 It is a bill for all persons who either: newly registered a vehicle from October 2, 2011 to July 31, 2012 or registered a vehicle with temporary commercial plates from October 2, 2011 to September 30, 2012. This "supplemental" tax is a pro-rated amount based on the vehicle registration date within the respective time periods mentioned above. The bills are mailed out in December (not July), due January 1st and payable by February 1st. If you replaced a vehicle and used the same plates to register the replacement vehicle, see answer above.

Make sure you have no outstanding property taxes on any vehicle in your name. You will not be able to renew any registrations at the Department of Motor Vehicles without paying your taxes first. All past due taxes in your name must be paid IN FULL by cash, certified check or money order for an immediate clearance (stamp or release form). Payments made by personal check (on current tax obligations ONLY) require ten (10) business days for clearance.

 The most convenient way these days just may be electronically depending on your preference. The following link What do I owe now? - 2013 GRAND LIST LOOK-UP  enables you to look up bill(s) owed and then takes you to online pay area if you so choose.

There is always the traditional way by check via mail. A return envelope is included with your tax bill. Write the list numbers (shown on your bill) on your check. If you wish to have a receipt returned to you, please send the entire lower portion of your tax bill and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with your payment. We will not mail your receipt if you fail to include one.

Mail payments to: Tax Collector, 27 West Main St., Room 104, New Britain, CT 06051.

A $20 fee will be applied to your account for checks returned by your Financial Institution for insufficient funds. DO NOT INCLUDE CASH.

NO. If you have delinquent motor vehicle accounts that are in Collection or are in need of clearance for DMV registration purposes, payment form must be Cash, Money Order, Certified Bank Check or Credit Card.*   *online only

For immediate lien release, payment must be made by Cash, Money Order or Certified bank check. If payment is made by Personal check, liens will not be released for ten (10) business days.

YES ­ but only online. Click here for details

YES. A maximum of 4 partials are accepted per installment. Interest is charged at the statutory rate (currently 1.5% per month/ 18% per year) from the due date. Taxes must be paid in full for lien releases or for motor vehicle registration clearance.

YES - during the months of July and January. You should expect to wait in line if you plan to pay in person during this period. Lines are longest at lunchtime, and as the last day to pay approaches. When paying in person, bring your tax bill with you and write your list numbers on your check for faster service.

Want to avoid waiting in line? Consider paying your bill by mail or online (@ tax.newbritainct.gov). There is also a 24-hour payment "drop box" at the front of City Hall for taxpayer convenience.

Located on the first floor of New Britain City Hall, 27 West Main Street, Room 104, the Tax Office hours are: Monday through Friday, 8:15 am. ­ 3:45 pm, Thursdays until 6:45pm on the last Thursday of each month.

Please contact the Assessor's Office at (860) 826-3323 for more information.

 Immediately contact your bank / mortgage company for instructions of where to send the tax bill. (The address may be printed in your mortgage payment coupon book.) After you have the information, make a copy of your bill, circle the dollar amount of the real estate tax payment due, write your loan number on it, and immediately forward it to your escrow agent or mortgage company. Additional instructions may be available on the web site of your bank/mortgage company.

During the first week of April