Tax Collector – FAQ
Tax Collector – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Mill Rate?
The tax per dollar of assessed value of property. The rate is expressed in “mills”, where one mill is one-tenth of a cent ($0.001).
What is Wolcott’s current mill rate?
Wolcott’s current mill rate as of October 1, 2021 is 30.80
How is the tax amount determined?
The mill rate is multiplied by the assessed value of the property to determine the tax amount. For example, if your property is assessed at $100,000.00, and the mill rate is 30.80, you multiply 100,000 x .03080 = $3080.00 yearly tax.
When are the tax bills mailed?
The tax bills are mailed at the end of June for the 1st installment and 2nd installment. 1st installment will be due on July 1st , 2nd installment will be due January 1st. We do not mail out a 2nd bill for the January installment. Supplemental motor vehicle tax bills are mailed in late December and are due on January 1st- February 1st.
Will I get a tax bill in January for the 2nd half of the real estate taxes?
No, one tax bill is sent in June for both installments.
What forms of payment are acceptable?
Payments can be made by cash, personal check, money order, bank check, online and credit card. Please note that there is a 2.95% convenience fee when paying by credit card.
Sewer and Water Assessments
- Cash
- Personal check
- Bank check
- Money order
Who are payments made payable to?
In all cases but one, you should make your check payable to “Wolcott Tax Collector”. The only exception to this is when paying your Sewer Usage Fee. In that case, please make your check payable to “W.P.C.A.”.
Can I mail in my tax payment?
Yes, we encourage you to mail your payments. However, please do not send cash payments through the mail. Mail your payments to “Tax Collector of Wolcott” at 10 Kenea Avenue, Wolcott, CT 06716
Does the tax office accept the postmark on mailed payments as the received date?
Yes, as long as the U.S. Post Office postmarks the payment envelope on or before the last day of the grace period, the payment will be considered “on time”.
How do I obtain a receipt if I mail in my tax payment?
Send in a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) if you wish to have a receipt mailed back to you.
Can I get copies of paid tax bills when I am ready to file my Federal and State Income Tax?
It is possible to get copies of paid tax bills, but we strongly suggest that you keep your original receipts or cancelled checks for filing tax forms. You can also view and/or print copies of paid tax bills online.
Can I combine my motor vehicle, personal property and real estate taxes on one check?
Yes, one check can be written for motor vehicle, real estate and personal property taxes. You cannot combine sewer and water assessments or usage fees with tax payments. Sewer and water are all separate accounts and must be paid by separate checks.
Can I combine my taxes and sewer or water payments on one check?
NO. Payments for taxes, sewer and water usage fees and assessments are all deposited in different accounts, therefore must be paid by individual checks.
What happens if I get a tax bill for a vehicle that I no longer own?
If you transferred the plates from one vehicle to another, you should pay the tax bill for the old vehicle. Next January you will receive a supplemental bill for the vehicle you currently own, and on that same bill you will receive credit for the amount you paid for the old vehicle.
If you turned the plates in to the Department of Motor Vehicles, you need to provide the Assessor’s Office with two forms of proof that you no longer own the vehicle to remove it from the tax list. One form of proof must be the plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicle. You should contact the Assessor’s office at (203) 879-8100
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 totaled 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, 2018 has until December 31, 2020 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, 2019 | December 31, 2021 |
| October 1, 2018 | December 31, 2020 |
| October 1, 2017 | December 31, 2019 |
| October 1, 2016 | December 31, 2018 |
| October 1, 2015 | December 31, 2017 |
| October 1, 2014 | December 31, 2016 |
What happens if I get a tax bill for real estate that I no longer own?
Please notify the Tax Collector’s Office if you receive a tax bill for property that you no longer own. The tax office does not receive transfer of ownership information on the same day it occurs. It sometimes takes up to 4 to 6 weeks before we get notification of new owners.
What is a Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax Bill?
Supplemental Motor vehicle tax bills are issued when a vehicle is purchased after October 1st and before July 31st. For example, if a vehicle is purchased in December of 2019, a supplemental tax bill, covering the months from December 2019 through September 2020, will be due in January of 2021.
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?
Yes. Both taxpayers must have paid all of their delinquent taxes in certified funds before a DMV release can be issued to either party.
What if the check I used to pay my taxes is returned to the bank for insufficient funds (ISF)?
When a check is returned to the bank for ISF, we must void the tax payment and issue a new bill for the taxes and a “returned check fee” in the amount of $20.00 to the taxpayer. The new bill will also include any additional late fees that have incurred.
I just bought property in Wolcott, why didn’t I receive a tax bill?
If you recently purchased property in Wolcott and did not receive a bill, please contact us immediately. The tax office does not receive transfer of ownership information on the same day it occurs. It sometimes takes up to 4 to 6 weeks before we get notification of new owners.
I just paid off my mortgage. How do I make sure that the tax bill gets mailed to me and not the mortgage company?
Your mortgage company should inform us of this information, but they don’t always follow through. If you recently paid off your mortgage and your mortgage company was paying your taxes, you need to call the Tax Office as soon as possible to let us know. We will remove the bank code from your account and make sure that you receive a copy of the tax bill. You can also view your tax bill on line by looking up the address, by entering the # and the street name such as Kenea, do not put Street or Avenue because it maybe abbreviated in the system and will not match your inquiry.
Are discount programs available for veterans, elderly or totally disabled taxpayers?
Yes, there are discount programs available for veterans, elderly and the totally disabled. Please contact the Assessor’s Office at (203) 879-8100
Property Tax Credits for Elderly and Disabled
Property tax credits from $150 up to $1,250 of total tax are available for qualifying applicants.
The credit level is based on a graduated income scale. Applicant eligibility is based on the following criteria:
Property owner is at least 65 years old as of December 31 preceding the filing period OR is at least 50 and the widow/widower of a previously approved applicant OR is totally disabled and has a Social Security Award Letter or an SSA-1099 with Medicare premiums, or proof of benefits under a program which contains requirements comparable to those of the Social Security Administration.
Property must have been owned or held in “life use” by the applicant as of October 1 of the year prior to the application period and at the time of application.
The property must be the primary residence of the homeowner. (6 months and one day rule)
Income limits are determined annually by the State of Connecticut. “Income” is defined as income from all sources, including tax-exempt interest and Social Security. For the 2018 application period, 2017 income from all sources is considered. The income limits for 2017 are $43,900 for married and $36,000 for single applicants. The income limits are adjusted each year.
Applications must be filed with the Wolcott Assessor’s Office between February 1 and May 15. Applicants must bring original or copies of their federal income tax (if filed) and their SSA-1099. If taxes are not filed, statements of all income sources (pensions, interest income, etc.) must be provided. To continue receiving the benefit after the initial application, re-filing is required every 2nd year as long as your income remains within program limits.
What happens if I don’t receive a tax bill in July for my vehicle? **
Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office as soon as possible. If your vehicle was registered in Wolcott on October 1, 2019 you should have received a tax bill for July of 2020. If your vehicle was registered after October 1, 2019, but before July 30, 2020, you won’t receive a tax bill until January of 2021.
What happens if I don’t receive a tax bill for my real estate?**
Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office as soon as possible. If you recently purchased the property, it is possible that the Tax Collector’s Office has not yet been notified of the change of owner, and the tax bill may have been sent to the prior owner in error. Another reason that you have not received your tax bill could be that a mortgage company may have requested your bill in error.
What happens if I don’t receive a tax bill for my business? **
Please contact the Tax Collector’s Office as soon as possible. The reasons for not receiving a tax bill for your business are many. You may not have filed the proper paperwork for your business with the Town of Wolcott, or we may not have your correct mailing address.
** IMPORTANT:
Failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the tax or interest due. As owners of property, taxpayers are responsible to know when their taxes are due. Failure to have received a bill does not exempt the taxpayer from payment of all taxes and all interest charges and collection cost, per Connecticut General Statute 12-130 and 12-146. Interest is charged to all late payments. There are no exceptions to this policy.