FAQ
About property taxes:
The following has been prepared to provide answers to some of the questions taxpayers most frequently ask about property taxes. Generally, questions concerning assessed value, adjustments, exemptions or credits, tax relief programs, and improper motor vehicle tax billings should be directed to the Assessor’s Office at 860.491.2115, or faxed to 860.491.6028. Questions about billings, tax balances due, amounts paid, delinquent taxes, and interest charged should be directed to the Tax Collector’s Office at 860.491.3275 x226 or faxed to 860.491.6028. For more information, please continue reading, or contact the appropriate office.
Q: What do I own that is subject to taxes?
A: Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes: Real Estate, Motor Vehicle, and Business Personal Property. Any land or buildings you own are considered real estate. Registered motorized or unmotorized vehicles, (including cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles) are considered motor vehicles for tax purposes. Business Personal Property is a general category including business equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures either owned or leased by a business. Unregistered motor vehicles are also taxed as personal property.
Q: When are taxes due and what time frame does it cover?
Real Estate taxes of $100.00 or more are due in two installments. ~The first half is due July 1st and the second half is due January 1st. Real Estate taxes less than $100.00 are due in one installment July 1st.~These taxes are based on the value of your property as of the previous October 1st. An additional real estate bill may be due if improvements are made to your property after October 1st of the previous year.
Personal Property taxes of $100.00 or more are due in two installments. ~The first half is due July 1st and the second half is due January 1st. Personal Property taxes less than $100.00 are due in one installment July 1st.~These taxes cover being in business October 1st of the previous year.
Regular Motor Vehicle taxes are due in one installment on July 1st. ~These taxes are on vehicles registered as of the previous October 1st and cover October 1st of the previous year through September 30th of the current year.
Supplemental Motor Vehicle taxes are due in one installment January 1st. ~These taxes cover from when the vehicle was registered through September 30th of the previous year. For further information on the Supplemental Motor Vehicle taxes,
please see its section under Additional Links on the Tax Collector’s page.
Q: How is the tax rate established?
A: The property tax rate is expressed in mills, or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 20 mills is equivalent to $20.00 in taxes per $1,000 of net assessed value. The Town of Goshen Board of Finance sets the mill rate annually in May or June as part of the municipal budget process.
Q: What are the office hours of the Tax Collector?
A: The Tax Collector’s Office, located on the first floor of the Goshen Town Hall, is open Tuesday & Thursday from 9 am -12 noon.
Q: What is the best way to pay my tax bill?
A: The most convenient way is by mail to Goshen Tax Collector, 42A North Street, Goshen, CT 06756. Please write your list/bill numbers on your check and make your check payable to Goshen Tax Collector. Your list/bill numbers are shown on your payment coupons. If you wish to have a receipt returned to you, please send the entire tax bill and a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. You will receive a receipt back within a few days. We will not send back a receipt if you fail to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
To pay with your credit/debit card or electronic funds transfer, visit our Town website, www.goshenct.gov. Go to the Tax Collector’s department page and under Additional Links you will see an Online/Telephone Tax Payments link. Follow this link for further instructions. There are fees associated with these services. Credit/Debit card payments will incur an additional 2.75% charge with a minimum fee of $3.95 and electronic funds transfer directly out of your checking or savings account will charge you an additional $1.95 per transaction for each payment that is less than or equal to $10,000.00 and $15.00 for each payment that is greater than $10,000.00.
You may also pay in person at the Tax Collector’s Office. A drop box is available outside of our office door if you would prefer to bring your payment into the building but don’t require a receipt. ~DO NOT put cash in the drop box. ~DO NOT put Woodridge Lake Sewer District tax payments in the drop box at Town Hall.
Q: What if I can’t pay my taxes for any reason?
A: Partial payments are always accepted. Pay as much as you can before the tax bill becomes delinquent. ~We will accept partial payments, but you will be charged interest on the unpaid tax balance going back to the original due date of the tax. ~The interest is 18% per year, 1.5% per month on the unpaid tax amount
Q: Can I pay all my taxes on one check?
A: Yes. You may pay all of your Town of Goshen taxes on one check, however, be sure to reference all the list numbers with your check. ****Do not include Woodridge Lake Sewer District taxes in with your Town of Goshen taxes. ~
Q: What happens if I pay late?
A: The first installment of dual installment real estate and personal property taxes in the amount of $100 or more, and motor vehicle taxes in full, are due on July 1and payable on or before August 1. The second installment of dual installment real estate and personal property taxes in the amount of $100 or more, and supplemental motor vehicle taxes in full, are due on January 1and payable on or before February 1.
In accordance with Connecticut General Statue (CGS) 12-146, past due payments are subject to interest at the rate of one and one half percent per month from the due date of the tax (July 1st or January 1st) with a minimum interest of $2.00. Payments made on August 2 for the July payments or February 2 for the January payments, including payments postmarked August 2 or February 2, and later, are past due and will incur 3% interest, representing two months’ delinquency (i.e. July & August or January & February). Payments postmarked August 1 or February 1 are considered timely. The Town is required by law to accept the postmark as the date of payment.
Q: What if I never received a tax bill?
A: Failure to have received a tax bill does not exempt you from payment of all taxes and all interest charges. (CGS 12-130) If you do not receive a bill for which you are responsible for, call the Tax Collector’s Office at 860.491.3275 x226 and request a copy. You may also fax your inquiry to the Tax Collector’s Office at 860.491.6028.
Q: Can the interest on my tax bill be waived?
A: No! The Tax Collector does not have the authority to waive interest and makes no exceptions. As owners of property, taxpayers are responsible to see that taxes are paid when due.
Q: I believe I am being improperly billed for a motor vehicle. What should I do?
A: Contact the Assessor’s Office at 860.491.2115, or by fax at 860.491.6028. Do not ignore your bill! If your vehicle has been sold, and plates returned to DMV; stolen and not recovered; declared a total loss; or if you have moved from Goshen or moved from Connecticut, you may be entitled to a credit. Contact the Assessors for information regarding the acceptable forms of proof for the issuance of a credit. There is a limited time period for this credit to occur, so be sure to call ASAP. You will be responsible for the taxes on the vehicle from October 1st through the month of the change in status.
Q: I recently replaced a vehicle, and still got a tax bill on the old vehicle. Do I have to pay it?
A: Yes. If you replaced one vehicle with another, and used the same license plates, you must pay on the “old” vehicle now. You will receive a pro-rated Supplemental motor vehicle tax bill in December, payable by February 1, for the new vehicle. This bill will reflect a credit for the amount you pay in July on the old vehicle. You receive this credit without having to apply for it. However, you still must pay 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 Assessor’s Office at 860.491.2115 or by fax at 860.491.6028.
Q: I need to register my car. What do I do?
A: If you owe delinquent property taxes on any vehicle in your name, you may not renew or obtain a new registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles without paying your back or current taxes first. (CGS 14-33) Payment will be required in Cash, Money Order or a certified Bank check to receive an immediate clearance for the DMV to register any vehicle in your name.
Q: What is a “supplemental” motor vehicle tax bill?
A: If you newly registered a motor vehicle after October 1, (first time registration), you will receive a pro-rated tax bill in December, payable by February 1. This “supplemental” bill will reflect the time from the month the vehicle was first registered, through September only. For further information on the Supplemental Motor Vehicle taxes, please see its section under Additional Links on the Tax Collector’s page.
Q: I have moved. What is my tax jurisdiction for motor vehicle taxes?
A: Your tax town is your town of residency as of October 1. If you move from Goshen after October 1, but still reside in Connecticut, you will still pay vehicle taxes to Goshen in the following July. Municipalities within Connecticut do not apportion motor vehicle tax bills for portions of a tax year. If you registered 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 and new tax town code within 48 hours. Be sure that you request a change of address on your driver’s license and on your vehicle registration(s). Forms for this are available at the Tax Collector’s Office and online at http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=825&q=245412 .
Q: I received my real estate tax bill and it should be paid by my mortgage company. What should I do?
A: Contact your escrow agent or mortgage company immediately. Forward a copy of your bill with your loan number on it to your escrow agent or mortgage company with a note explaining the situation. The address should be in your mortgage payment coupon book. Finally notify the Tax Collector’s Office. Payments are due by August 1 for the July installment and February 1 for the January installment.
Q: I pay my real estate taxes but the bill was not received the same time as my motor vehicle or personal property taxes. What should I do?
A: Your bill may have been inadvertently sent to your current mortgage company or your old one or, it may have been lost. You are still responsible for paying your bill on time. Therefore, call the office to request a copy of your bill immediately at 860.491.3275 x226 or fax a request at 860.491.6028.
Q: I have a Woodridge Lake Sewer District tax bill(s) due. Where do I pay these bills and when?
A: Your questions regarding any information about these bills should be directed to the Woodridge Lake Sewer District Tax Collector at 860.491.2705. Their mailing address is Woodridge Lake Sewer District Tax Collector, PO Box 258, Goshen, CT 06756.
Q: May I pay my taxes with my credit/debit card or an electronic funds transfer?
A: To pay with your credit/debit card or an electronic funds transfer visit our Town website, www.goshenct.gov. Go to the Tax Collector’s department page and under Additional Links you will see an Online/Telephone Tax Payments link. Follow this link for further instructions. There are fees associated with these services. Credit/Debit card payments will incur an additional 2.75% charge with a minimum fee of $3.95 and electronic funds transfer directly out of your checking or savings account will charge you an additional $1.95 per transaction for each payment that is less than or equal to $10,000.00 and $15.00 for each payment that is greater than $10,000.00. You can also use this feature via the Telephone by calling the number 1.800.2PAYTAX (1.800.272.9829). This is an automated service and is available 24/7. Our Town’s Jurisdiction code is 1791.
Q: My current bill contained a line that states BACK TAXES on it. What does this mean?
A: According to our records, there are past due taxes in your name, or on the parcel of property in question. Please call the office with more detailed questions 860.491.3275 x226. Delinquent taxes and interest must be paid in full on a specific property before payment on current bills can be accepted. Any payment you send in toward your current taxes will be applied to the back taxes. (CGS 12-144b).
Q: I recently bought (or sold) a house in Goshen, and I have a question about what I owe. What should I do?
A: The property tax bills due in July will reflect ownership changes recorded through mid May only. If you recently purchased property in Goshen, and have not received a real estate tax bill, call the Tax Collector’s Office immediately at 860.491.3275 x226. Payment must be made by August 1 for the July installment and February 1 for the January installment, whether or not a bill has been received! If you sold property in Goshen, and are still receiving a tax bill for the property, please contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 860.491.3275 x226.
Q: Could I be eligible for any exemptions?
A: 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); Specially equipped motor vehicle owned by a person with disabilities or his/her guardian; Farmers/Merchants; and Forest, Farm and Open Space. For details about any of these exemptions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 860.491.2115.
Q: Are there any breaks for senior citizens?
A: Yes! If you or your spouse are age 65 or older, permanently reside in Goshen (legal residence), either own your home or rent, and meet certain income restrictions, you may be eligible for one or more forms of town or state-financed property tax credits. To inquire about eligibility, or for information about these programs, contact the Assessor’s Office at 860.491.2115. You may also inquire in person at the Assessor’s Office at Town Hall.
Q: Do I need to save my receipts?
A: Yes. Save your receipts for 15 years, the length of time during which municipal taxes are collectible. 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, and a fee might be charged for this research. Research will not be done while you wait.
Q: Are there long lines at Town Hall?
A: During the months of July and January, sometimes. Lines are longest 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. If you want to avoid waiting in line, consider paying your bill by mail (include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish a receipt mailed back); drop off your payment in the payment drop slot by the Tax Office door; or by credit card or electronic funds transfer by logging onto our Town website, www.goshenct.gov. Go to the Tax Collector’s
Department and under Additional Links find the Online/Telephone Tax Payments link.
Connecticut State Statutes
For the State Statutes on Property Taxes click on the link below. Once there,
you will need to go to Browse Statutes. This will take you to another webpage.
From there, you need to go to Title 12, Taxation:
Title 12 Chapters 201 to 229a |
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Official Payments
DMV forms
Address Change
If you move, you must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address and new tax town code. Be sure that you request a change of address on your driver’s license and on your vehicle registration(s). To download the correct form click on the link below:
Lost Plate
If you no longer own a vehicle and have misplaced the license plates, please contact the DMV to cancel the registration. To download the correct form click on the link below:
Fax Request
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