Date: Fri 20-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

taxes-vehicles-property

Full Text:

Local Tax Bills To Go Out Next Week

BY STEVE BIGHAM

If you own a home, a piece of land or a car, you can expect a tax bill from

the town next week.

In April, taxpayers passed a $52.6 million town budget, the largest in

Newtown's history. The tax rate went up 1 mill to 25.9 mills.

According to Tax Collector Carol Mahoney, the average assessment on a home in

Newtown this year is $175,000, which would cost the homeowner $4,500 in local

taxes. There are a total of 7,542 homes in Newtown. More than 200 of them were

built this past year. There are 20,000 motor vehicles registered in Newtown

with an average value of around $6,000.

This year, along with a bill, the tax collector's office is sending out a more

detailed guide to assessments and property taxes. Mrs Mahoney believes this

will help residents better understand the process.

As the guide explains, three types of properties are assessed and subject to

taxes: real estate, motor vehicle and personal property. This year's tax rate

of 25.9 mills is equivalent to $25.90 of taxes per $1,000 of net assessed

value.

The due date for motor vehicle bills and the first installment on real estate

and personal property bills is July 1, 1997 payable through August 1, 1997

without interest charges. Payment after August 1 will be subject to 3 percent

interest in August and 1« percent additional interest each month after that.

The 1997-98 fiscal year budget for Newtown estimates that $8.5 million will be

received from the state for state-financed programs. The tax collector's

office points out that without this state assistance, this year's tax rate

would be 31.7 mills.

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.