What happens if I get a tax bill for a vehicle that I no longer own?

In order to receive credit on a motor vehicle tax bill, you need to provide two forms of proof to the Wolcott Assessor’s Office that you no longer own the vehicle that is being taxed. All forms of proof must be dated and specifically identify the vehicle in question by make, model, year and vehicle identification number. The acceptable forms of proof are listed below.

Vehicle Sold or Junked & Not Replaced (2 forms of proof are required)

Plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that the registration has been cancelled, lost or stolen. 

 In addition to #1, you must provide any one of the following:

A copy of the Bill of Sale 

A copy of the original registration of the person to whom you sold the vehicle. 

A copy of the vehicle’s transfer of title 

A receipt or letter from the salvage yard and/or dealer showing the date of disposal/sale. 

Vehicle Totaled (2 forms of proof are required) 

Plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that the registration has been cancelled, lost   or stolen. 

In addition to #1, you must provide any one of the following: 

A letter from the insurance company stating that the vehicle was totalled and the date when this occurred. 

A receipt or letter from the salvage yard and/or dealer showing the date of disposal. 

Vehicle Registered Out of State (2 forms of proof are required) 

Plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that the registration has been cancelled, lost   or stolen. 

A copy of the motor vehicle registration from the state where it is now registered and a copy of the owner’s out of state driver’s license. 

Vehicle Stolen (2 forms of proof are required)

Plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that the registration has been cancelled, lost   or stolen. 

A letter from your insurance company stating the date of theft and that the vehicle was not recovered. 

Vehicle Repossessed (2 forms of proof are required)

Plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that the registration has been cancelled, lost   or stolen. 

A letter from the finance company stating the date that the vehicle was taken and that it was not redeemed by you. 

Time frame for requesting proration of a motor vehicle assessment:

The CT Department of Motor Vehicles does not inform towns when plates are returned or when vehicles are sold, registered out of state or otherwise disposed of.  It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to provide the required documentation within the time limits as provided under applicable Connecticut law.  

The proof for an adjustment (prorate) of a motor vehicle on a grand list must be presented within 27 months of the assessment date.

For example, the owner of a vehicle with a tax bill that has an assessment date of October 1, 2021 has until December 31, 2023 to present the required proofs of disposal.

Failure by the taxpayer to provide all forms of proof for adjustment within 27 months of the assessment date forfeits the right to an adjustment of the tax bill by Connecticut State Statute (12-71c).


Assessment Date    Deadline for Presentation of Proof

October 1, 2022    December 31, 2024

October 1, 2021    December 31, 2023

October 1, 2020    December 31, 2022


Show All Answers

1. What is a Mill Rate?
2. What is Wolcott’s current mill rate?
3. How is the tax amount determined?
4. When are the tax bills mailed?
5. Will I get a tax bill in January for the 2nd half of the real estate taxes?
6. What forms of payment are acceptable?
7. Who are payments made payable to?
8. Can I mail in my tax payment?
9. Does the tax office accept the postmark on mailed payments as the received date?
10. How do I obtain a receipt if I mail in my tax payment?
11. Can I get copies of paid tax bills when I am ready to file my Federal and State Income Tax?
12. Can I combine my motor vehicle, personal property and real estate taxes on one check?
13. Can I combine my taxes and sewer or water payments on one check?
14. What happens if I get a tax bill for a vehicle that I no longer own?
15. What happens if I get a tax bill for real estate that I no longer own?
16. What is a Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax Bill?
17. If there are two taxpayer names on one motor vehicle tax bill, are both taxpayers required to have all their taxes paid in order to receive a release from DMV?
18. What if the check I used to pay my taxes is returned to the bank for insufficient funds (ISF)?
19. I just bought property in Wolcott, why didn’t I receive a tax bill?
20. I just paid off my mortgage. How do I make sure that the tax bill gets mailed to me and not the mortgage company?
21. Are discount programs available for veterans, elderly or totally disabled taxpayers?
22. What happens if I don’t receive a tax bill in July for my vehicle? **
23. What happens if I don’t receive a tax bill for my real estate?**
24. What happens if I don’t receive a tax bill for my business? **