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Motor Vehicles

Motor Vehicle Assessment

Motor Vehicles are assessed at 70% of the 
depreciated Manufactures Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) as of  October 1 assessment date for municipal taxation on July 1.   Changes in registration, plate transfers or new vehicles purchased after the assessment date are billed January 1 on the supplemental billing. 

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The Motor Vehicle mill rate is 32.46 Mills 

New MSRP Assessment Valuation - 2024 CGS Section. 12-63 The State of Connecticut passed the Motor Vehicle assessment reform modifying how vehicles are assessed for municipality taxation. The new legislation mandates motor vehicles are now to be assessed at 70% of the depreciated Manufactures Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), starting the 2024 Grand List. * MSRP X % Depreciation Factor X 70% assessment ratio = Assessment The MSRP schedule for new cars (2024 and newer) starts with a 90% depreciation factor for year 1 depreciating 5% each year . Year 15 vehicles (2010 and older), the value bottoms out at 20% and remains at 20% of its original MSRP, providing vehicles shall not be assessed less than $500.

Vehicles sold or disposed of within a tax year.

You may request a tax credit directly to the Assessor with two years after the posted tax due date.

  1. The Registration/Plates must be cancelled

  2. A copy or proof disposal is required. Forms of proof are as followed:

    1. SOLD or Gifted - Bill or Sale, Or Gift Affidavit

    2. TRADED IN - Dealer trade-in or odometer statement

    3. TOTALED - Statement of total loss issued by insurance company.

    4. JUNKED, Salvaged or Donated – Receipt from junkyard or charitable company.  

    5. STOLEN – Police or Insurance Statement

    6. REPOSESSION – Statement of repossession date from financial institution 

 
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Non-registered & Out of State parked motor vehicles; Pursuant to CGS Section 12-41, vehicles not registered to Connecticut or registered with out of state plates, that are parked in excess of three months closest to an October 1 Assessment date shall be declared as Personal Property within that municipality. The value of the motor vehicle shall be determined pursuant to section 12-63.
 

Classic/Historical Plates CGS 12-71(b) : The assessment limit on antique vehicles to be subject to the not more than $500 property tax assessment limit, the law requires a vehicle to (1) be at least 20 years old, (2) be of historical interest, and (3) conform to the manufacturer’s original specifications.

 

MV Exemptions - Section 12-81 (82) For assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024, any snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or residential utility trailer provided such property is exclusively for personal, non-commercial use is exempt.​

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Missing Vehicle Tax Bills:  July 1 Billing 

If you do not receive a motor vehicle tax bill for a vehicle you currently own or lease, this may indicate one or more circumstances : 

  1. Vehicle registration has expired before the October 1 Assessment date.
    To check DMV Registration status, click here;
    https://dmvcivls-wselfservice.ct.gov/Registration/VerifyRegistration?language=en_US

  2. Vehicle was not registered until after the October 1 Registration Date and will be billed on supplemental billing on January 1

  3. Plate Transfers that have occurred after the October 1 assessment date will show prior vehicle on the July tax bill. You are required to pay this bill in full as the replacement vehicle  bill will be on the Supplemental January billing as a prorate with original vehicle tax credit applied.  

  4. Leased vehicles are taxed directly to the leasing companies

  5.  Moved? Registration has an incorrect Tax town listed (or prior residency).  These must be updated through DMV. 

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Motor Vehicle Assessment Appeals – BAA September

Legislation states that vehicles are to be assessed based on the towns adopted MSRP schedule and Assessors and Boards of Assessment Appeals should not factor things such as: High Mileage, Salvage Vehicles, and Rebuilt Titles into the calculation of the assessment. The only grounds for appeal for a taxpayer is if the assessor did not base the assessment from the vehicle’s MSRP.

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