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What period do motor vehicle tax bills cover?
The uniform assessment date is October 1st in Connecticut. Motor vehicles registered on October 1 will be part of that year's Grand List and billed in July. Vehicles registered on October 2nd through the following July 31st, will be part of the Supplemental Grand List and be billed in January of the following year. The bills paid in January are prorated based on the registration month from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles:
| OCTOBER |
100% |
MARCH |
58.3% |
| NOVEMBER |
91.7% |
APRIL |
50% |
| DECEMBER |
8 3.3% |
MAY |
41.7% |
| JANUARY |
75% |
JUNE |
33.3% |
| FEBRUARY |
66.7% |
JULY |
25% |
How are motor vehicle assessments determined?
Per Connecticut State Statute §12-71d The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management recommends a schedule of motor vehicle values in each municipality in determining the assessed value of motor vehicles for purposes of property taxation. Motor vehicle assessments are based upon 70% of the clean retail value. The NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) Official Used Car Guide is used to determine the clean retail value.
What happens if I transfer my license plates to a new vehicle?
When license plates are transferred to a new vehicle, the current bill on the old vehicle must still be paid in full. An assessment credit for the old vehicle will automatically be applied to your next bill for the new vehicle on the supplemental motor vehicle list.
I moved to another Connecticut town. Do I still owe motor vehicle taxes?
Motor vehicle assessments are not prorated between towns. Therefore, wherever the taxpayer resides on October 1st of a given year is where he or she must pay motor vehicle taxes the following July.
I recently returned my license plates to DMV and was told to contact my local Tax Assessor’s office. What do I have to do now?
If the vehicle was sold, stolen, totaled, junked, donated, repossessed or registered in another state, you may be entitled to an assessment adjustment on the vehicle in question. For more detailed information regarding required documentation for an assessment adjustment please click here.
If after reviewing the motor vehicle brochure (link above) and you still have questions, please complete this form.
Is the Assessor’s office automatically notified by DMV when a vehicle is sold or registered by a new owner?
The Department of Motor Vehicles provides the Assessor’s office with a list of all vehicles registered in West Hartford. The Town is not notified of cancelled registrations throughout the year.
I recently received a motor vehicle bill from West Hartford even though I have never lived in West Hartford. What should I do?
Motor vehicle bills sent to taxpayers that have never lived in West Hartford should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to adjust the tax town code (e.g. West Hartford = 155). | 
