Answers to Your Tax Questions
Q: When is my tax payment due?
A: Payment is due on July 1st. You have a one-month grace period to pay without penalty.
Q: How is a penalty assessed?
A: To avoid a penalty, payment must be postmarked or hand delivered by August 1st. Payments postmarked after August 1st will incur interest at the rate of 1.5% per month calculated back to the July 1st due date (August interest is 3%; 1.5% for July, 1.5% for August).
Q: How can I pay my tax bill?
A: You have five options:
Option 1: Mail payment in the enclosed return envelope. Yes, the New Britain address is correct. This is where out bank processes payments.
Option 2: Mail payment directly to the Town of West Hartford (address is on the front of this bill).
Option 3: Hand deliver payment to Revenue Collection office - Town Hall, room 109. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 8:30am - 4:30pm; Tuesday, 7:30am-4:30pm; and Thursday 8:30am-7:00pm. The office is closed on Fridays.
Option 4: After hour payments can be placed in the Town Hall drop box. The lighted drop box is located on the outside wall to the left of the main entrance to Town Hall (in the back of the building). Payments must be received by midnight of the due date. Please do not use the drop box if it appears full.
Option 5: Pay by credit card or electronic check online at https://www.officialpayments.com/index.jsp. To make a payment by phone, call 1-800-2PAY-TAX (use Jurisdiction Code 1701).
Q: How is a receipt obtained?
A: If mailing payment, enclose entire bill with a self-addressed stamped envelope. A receipt will be returned to you.
If mailing in person, bring entire bill with you. The top portion of the bill will be receipted for you.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of phone requests for payment information during the months of December through April, we can no longer process these requests by phone. Please save the top portion of your tax bill as receipt of payment. Requests for payment information for the purpose of filing income tax returns must be made in person at the Revenue Collection office. There is a charge of $0.50 per page.
Q: If I received a tax bill for my property and my bank is responsible for making payment, what should I do?
A: Forward your bill to the bank. Then ask your bank to contact the tax office to request that all future tax bills be sent directly to them.
Q: What period of time does my bill cover?
A: Motor Vehicle tax bills
Motor vehicle tax bills are for vehicles registered as of October 1, 2010 and covers the period of October 2010 through September 2011. See insert for information on motor vehicle adjustments.
A: Real Estate tax bills
Real estate is billed in two installments. The first installment is due July 1st. It is noted as 10/1 on the bill and covers the period of July 1st through December 31st. The second installment, 10/2 is due January 1st and covers the period of January 1st through June 30th. The second installment bill will be mailed to you in mid-December.
Q: Is there tax relief for veterans?
A: You may be eligible for future tax relief. Contact Assessment at 860-561-7414.
Q: Is there tax relief for the elderly?
A: If you are over the age of 65 and meet income limits set by the State of Connecticut, you may be eligible for future tax relief. Apply in the Assessment Office between February 1st and May 15th, 2012.
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