Tax Bills Due Out

By Steve Bigham

Newtown residents who own a home, a piece of land, or a car can expect to receive the first installment of their tax bills by early July. Tax bills go out on Friday, June 30.

A total of 33,786 bills will be sent out with 4,500 of them going to banks and mortgage companies to be paid from escrow accounts. There are more than 10,000 bills to be sent out for vacant land and residential accounts with 22,544 additional bills going out to motor vehicle owners. They have an average value of $7,000, according to Tax Collector Carol Mahoney.

In May, taxpayers approved a $66.9 million budget, which represents a 5.9 percent increase in spending over the current budget. The tax rate went up by 1.6 mills to 29.5 mills.

According to Tax Assessor Denise Hames, a home valued at $250,000, which would be assessed at $175,000, will have to pay $5,162, an increase of $280 over last year’s rate.

 The due date for motor vehicle bills and the first installment on real estate and personal property bills is July 1, 2000, payable through August 1, 2000 without interest charges. Payment after August 1 will be subject to 3 percent interest in August and 1.5 percent additional interest each month after that.

According to the tax collector’s office, three types of properties are assessed and subject to taxes: real estate, motor vehicle, and personal property. This year’s tax rate of 29.5 mills is equivalent to $29.50 of taxes per $1,000 of net assessed value.

 Mrs Mahoney said many taxpayers panic when they see the July 1 due date. They often ask, “How do you expect me to pay my bill on time when I just got it today?”

Other people call up in shock over the assessed value of their car. “If I could get this much for the car I’d be happy,” they say.

But, as Mrs Mahoney explains, the value of all vehicles is found in the Blue Book, which does not take the condition of the vehicle into consideration.

Tax bills can be paid in two installments, with the first being paid by August 1 and the second being February 1.

For more information on taxes, tax credits, or exemptions, contact the assessor’s office at 270-4240 or the tax collector’s office at 270-4320.