Q: What if I don't receive a tax bill? A: Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) Section 12-130 states “…failure to receive any… tax bill shall not invalidate the tax....” You are not exempt from payment of all taxes and all interest charges. If you own a vehicle or real estate on October 1st of any given year, you should expect a tax bill the following July. If you do not receive a bill for which you are responsible, call the Tax Collector's Office at (860) 823-3760 and request a copy. Q: Do I need to save my receipts? A: Yes. Save your receipts for 15 years, which is the length of time during which municipal taxes are collectible. Receipts will be issued for payments made in person at the Tax Office window. If you pay by mail and would like a receipt, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. If you would like copies of your receipts after taxes have been paid, they are available for $.50 per copy. The Tax Office DOES NOT give out tax information over the phone for income tax purposes. You must retain your own payment information for purposes of claiming tax credits and filling out federal and state income tax forms. Q: What do I own that is subject to taxes? A: Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes:
Real Estate: Any land or buildings are considered real estate. Motor Vehicle: Registered motorized or non-motorized vehicles, (including cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles) are considered motor vehicles for tax purposes. Personal Property: Personal property is 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.
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 29.24 mills is equivalent to $29.24 in taxes per $1,000 of net assessed value. The City of Norwich sets the mill rates annually in May/June as part of the municipal budget process. There are two mill rates in the City of Norwich. For the 2007 Grand List Year, where the first half becomes due and payable on July 1st, 2008 and the second half being due and payable on January 1st, 2009; the mill rate for the City Consolidated District (CCD) is 34.10. The mill rate for the Town District is 29.66. Q: When are taxes due? A: Taxes are due July 1st and January 1st. If a real estate or personal property tax bill is $100 or less, the full amount is due on July 1st. Motor vehicle tax bills are due in full in July, supplemental motor vehicle tax bills are due in full in January. Q: I received a letter from a collection agency regarding taxes that I owe to the City of Norwich. What do I do? A: After a number of years, the City of Norwich turns over unpaid motor vehicle and personal property tax bills to Rossi Law Offices, Ltd. of Smithfield, Rhode Island for collection. If you receive a notice from the collection agency regarding delinquent taxes, you must contact them and make arrangements to pay. Once those taxes are paid in full, contact our office as there is a possiblility you may also still owe taxes that have not yet been sent to collection. Q: What is the best way to pay my tax bill? A: The most convenient way to pay is with a check by mail. A return envelope is included with your tax bill. Write the list numbers on your check. Your list numbers are shown on your bill. 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. We will not mail your receipt if you fail to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail payments to Norwich Tax Collector, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH!
Q: Can I pay my motor vehicle delinquent taxes by personal check?
A: Yes. But, if you have delinquent motor vehicle taxes and are planning to register a vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles and require a release from the Tax Collector, you must pay with Cash, Money Order, Credit Card and/or Certified Bank Check. For your convenience, there is now an ATM on the first floor of City Hall if you wish to pay in cash.
If payment is made by Personal check, a release will be issued after ten (10) business days.
Q: May I pay my taxes with a credit or debit card? A: The Tax Collector's Office accepts cards with either a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo on them on delinquent taxes only, not on current bills. Q: Can I make partial payments for taxes? A: Partial payments are accepted. Interest is charged at the statutory rate (currently 1½% per month/18% per year) from the due date. On any partial payments received, interest is paid first, then principal. Taxes must be paid in full for lien releases or for motor vehicle registration clearance. Q: Are there long lines at City Hall? A: 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 entire 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. You may also “drop off” payments in the locked drop box which is located to the right of the Broadway entrance to City Hall. Receipts will not be mailed for drop box payments unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope is included. Q: What are the office hours of the Tax Collector? A: The Tax Collector's Office, located on the first floor of Norwich City Hall, 100 Broadway, Room 129, is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am. – 4:30 pm.
Q: What happens if I pay late? A: Real estate, personal property and refuse taxes are due in two installments for each fiscal 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 1st and must be paid by August 1st to avoid interest charges. The second installment is due on January 1st 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 (1½%) per month from the due date of the tax (July 1) or a $2.00 minimum whichever is greater. Payments made on or after Aug. 2, including payments postmarked Aug. 2 and later are past due and will incur 3% interest, representing two months' delinquency (July & August). The city is required by law to accept the postmark as the date of payment. Q: Can the interest on my tax bill be waived? A: 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. Q: My tax bill shows “back taxes due” and I am being charged interest and other fees. What does that mean?
A: According to our records, there are past due taxes in your Name, or on the parcel of property in question. Call (860) 823-3760 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. Q: My real estate tax bill should be paid by my bank or mortgage company; I received the tax bill in the mail directly from the City. What should I do? A: The City receives lists from banks/mortgage companies in April and May requesting bills for the July payments. If the bank does not request your bill, it will be sent directly to you. If you receive your tax bill, immediately, contact the 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 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.
Q: I recently bought (or sold) a house in Norwich, 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 early April. If you recently purchased property in Norwich, and have not received a real estate tax bill, call the Tax Collector’s Office immediately at (860) 823-3760, or fax to (860) 885-2911, to request a copy. Check with the Assessor’s Office to ensure their records have been updated. Payment must be made by August 1, whether or not a bill has been received! MOTOR VEHICLES QUESTIONS Q: If I am being improperly billed for a motor vehicle. What should I do? A: Contact the Assessor's Office at (860) 823-3723, or by fax at (860) 823-3719. DO NOT IGNORE YOUR BILL! If any of these situations applies to you, you may be entitled to a credit: If your vehicle has been sold, and plates returned to DMV; Stolen and not recovered; Repossessed; Declared a total loss; If you have moved from Connecticut and have registered the vehicle out of state.
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! 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 any registrations at the Department of Motor Vehicles without paying your taxes first. This applies to any motor vehicle tax bills that have your name on them. All past due taxes in your name must be paid in full by cash, cashier's check, credit card or money order for an immediate clearance (stamp or release form). For payments made by personal check, clearance will be given after ten (10) business days. 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 moved from Norwich after October 1, but still resided in Connecticut, you must pay vehicle taxes to Norwich. 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). The address on the vehicle registration is the only address given to the Tax Collector's Office and cannot be changed at the Tax Collector's Office. Q: I recently replaced a vehicle, and received 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 in July. In January, you will receive a pro-rated Supplemental motor vehicle tax bill, payable 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 Assessor's Office at (860) 823-3723 or by fax at (860) 823-3719. Q: What is a "supplemental" motor vehicle tax bill? A: If you newly registered a motor vehicle after October 1, 2007, (first time registration), you will receive a pro-rated tax bill in January, 2009, due on January 1, payable by February 1. This "supplemental" bill will reflect the time from the month the vehicle was first registered, through August 31. If you replaced a vehicle and used the same plates to register the replacement vehicle, see answer above. Q: Am I eligible for any exemptions? A: You may be eligible. The exemptions are handled by the Assessor's Office. For details about these exemptions, or if you think you may qualify, contact the Assessor’s Office at (860) 823-3723. Q: Are there any tax benefits for senior citizens? A: Yes! These are also handled by the Assessor's Office. To inquire about eligibility, or for information about these programs, contact the Assessor's Office at (860) 823-3723. You may also inquire in person at the Assessor’s Office, Room 132 on the first floor at City Hall. Q: How has the revaluation affected my tax bill? A: Norwich is currently undergoing a revaluation that will affect your July, 2009 taxes (the 2008 Grand List year). Please contact the Assessor’s Office at (860) 823-3760 for more information. The City of Norwich bills separately for refuse (trash pick-up and disposal). If you own a house in Norwich, and do not have private dumpster service, you should expect a refuse bill in July and January. Charges are based on the number of families listed on the street card of your property (available at the Assessor's Office). If you own a 2 family home, you must pay the 2 family rate, regardless of whether an apartment is empty or rented. If you only live in Norwich half of the year, you still must pay for the full year. The charges are not based on how much trash you put out, or don't put out, but whether you own a 1, 2 or 3 family house. Most banks/mortgage companies do NOT escrow for refuse taxes. All bills are sent directly to the homeowner. The mortgage companies (currently only Countrywide) that do request a copy of the refuse bill, receive a duplicate bill so that the original bill still gets mailed to the homeowner. If you believe your bill is paid by your bank/mortgage company, please check with them to assure duplicate payments are not made. Tax Collector’s Office Telephone: (860) 823-3760 Fax: (860) 885-2911 Tax Assessor’s Office Telephone: (860) 823-3723 Fax: (860) 885-3719 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. |