Paying Taxes

On A Car

You Don’t Own?

By Steve Bigham

Did you get a tax bill this week for a car you no longer own?

Ninety percent of the phone calls to the tax collector’s office this week are from people complaining about this.

Tax Collector Carol Mahoney this week said this is a common concern and one that can easily be resolved.

“We only have the information that was on our records as of October, 2001. If something happened after that, we don’t know about it until the taxpayer informs us,” she said.

Taxpayers are being asked to pay the tax bill. In January, taxpayers that no longer own the car will receive a credit for the amount they paid for the time period when they no longer owned the car.

Those who transferred the license plates from their old vehicle to their new one are not required to show any proof that they no longer own the car. They will receive a motor vehicle tax bill in January, 2003, for the new car (and a credit for what was paid on the old car).

Those who did not transfer the license plates to the new vehicle will need to show proof to the assessor’s office that they no longer own the vehicle. Two forms are required; the cancelled plate receipt from the motor vehicle department and a copy of whatever happened to the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle was sold, a bill of sale must be shown. A statement from the insurance company is required if the vehicle was totaled.