Tax Collector
| Phone: | (203) 563-0125 |
| Fax: | (203) 563-0293 |
| Email: | P. Damato |
| Hours: | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Under the General Statutes, the Tax Collector is responsible for calculating, issuing, collecting, and managing property tax receivables. Under the Town Charter and ordinances, the Office of the Tax Collector has the same responsibilities for sewer and water capital assessments and sewer user charges.
The Tax Collector is also responsible for the False Alarm Management Program, including registration, issuance of alarm penalty notices and collection of any fees or monetary penalties.
Message From The First Selectman
Below, you will find various information regarding property taxes – how they are calculated, tax payment due dates and assessment appeals, as well as tax relief programs. Wilton’s Town government is here to serve our citizens. Town employees provide a wide variety of services to the community including public safety, public works, parks, recreation, land use, health, social and other vital services.
Our collective goal is to operate the Town government as efficiently as possible. To accomplish this objective, we value your ideas and suggestions at any time. Please contact me at 563-0100 or bill.brennan@wiltonct.org with questions or comments. I will do my best to respond promptly.
First Selectman
Information for Taxpayers
Your taxes are determined by multiplying the net assessed value of your taxable property by a mill rate. The mill rate for the new fiscal year is $24.23 for each $1,000 of assessed value. This year’s mill rate is up 3.59% from last year and represents the smallest Wilton tax increase since Fiscal Year 2000.
The Fiscal 2008 Budget
On May 5 the Annual Town Meeting adopted a Fiscal 2008 General Fund Budget of $102,078,176. The pie chart and table on the left show how that money will be spent. The sources of funds to pay for the expenditures are shown in the pie chart and table on the right.
| Source | % change over FY07 | |
| Property Taxes | $91,794,365 | 4.6% |
| Grants | 2,463,777 | 6.0% |
| Intr., Fees & Other | 3,901,352 | 9.4% |
| Total | $98,159,494 | 4.8% |
| Expenditures | % change over FY07 | |
| Board of Education | $ 64,592,872 | 7.7% |
| Public Safety | 11,092,055 | 7.7% |
| Debt Service | 9,019,690 | -.59% |
| All Other | 17,373,559 | 11.1% |
| Total | $102,078,176 | 7.7% |
If the Town were not receiving $2,463,777 in grants from the state, the FY 2008 mill rate would be 24.88 instead of 24.23.
Other Town Charges You May Receive Bills for During the Year
Sewer and Water Capital Assessments and Sewer Use Charges: These charges apply if your property benefits from a sewer line or is on a Town water line.
Sewer user charges are billed once annually in June.
Sewer and/or water capital assessments. These are billed once annually.
False Alarm Fines and Penalties: Each alarm-equipped location is allowed two free false alarms in any fiscal year. Thereafter, fines are imposed for each false alarm. Annually in May, each alarm must be registered with the alarm administrator. If you have already registered, you will get a form in the mail. If you have recently purchased a property with an alarm, or have recently installed an alarm, please contact the alarm administrator at 203-563-0125. There is a fine for failing to register an alarm.
Tax Due Dates
Real estate and personal property tax bills of $100 or less, and all motor vehicle taxes are due in a single installment on July 1, 2007. Real estate taxes in excess of $100 are due in two equal installments on July 1, 2007 and January 1, 2008.
If you receive a supplemental motor vehicle tax bill in December 2007, it is due on January 1, 2008.
Payments not made within one month of the due dates above are delinquent and incur interest at the rate of 1.5% per month from the due dates. Example: a tax installment of $1,500 due on July 1 is paid on August 2. The interest is $1,500 x .015 x 2 (July and August) = $45.00.
Delinquent motor vehicle taxes will prevent you from registering any vehicle until you present a Tax Collector's stamp. Delinquent motor vehicle taxes must be paid in cash.
For information on your tax bill, call the Wilton Tax Collector at 203-563-0125
Assessment Appeals
If you believe your motor vehicle assessment is incorrect you can go to the Board of Assessment Appeals, which meets during the month of September, for motor vehicle appeals only. Appointments can be scheduled through the Assessor's Office. You should bring any supporting documentation.
Each March the Board of Assessment Appeals hears real estate and personal property assessment appeals.
For answers to questions on assessments call the Wilton Assessor's Office,
203-563-0121 or 203-563-0122.
Tax Relief Programs
There are several tax relief programs available to qualified taxpayers. The State of Connecticut has programs to assist the elderly, blind, disabled, veterans, active duty service members, and renters. The Town has its own real estate tax credit and deferral program for qualified elderly or disabled property owners. Most programs have income criteria. Contact the Assessor's Office for further information.
There is also a Town tax credit program for qualified volunteers of the Wilton Fire Department, the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the Georgetown Fire District. Contact the leadership of any of these organizations for details.
NOTE: The application deadlines for FY 2008 tax relief programs have passed. Inquire now about next year’s benefits.
What Kind of Property is Taxed?
Under Connecticut Law, real estate and automobiles are taxed. For businesses, certain types of personal property are also subject to local taxation.
How are Assessed Values Determined?
Real Estate
The assessed value of real estate is determined by periodic valuations by the Wilton Assessor. Connecticut law requires that the assessed value be 70% of the market value as of the date of the revaluation. Property in Wilton was last revalued as of Oct. 1, 2002. Therefore, your real estate assessment is close to 70% of the market value as of that date. State law requires real estate revaluations every five years. For Wilton, the next revaluation will be as of Oct. 1, 2007.
Personal Property and Automobiles
The assessed values of these types of property are determined annually as of Oct. 1. Your automobile tax bill for this year is based on 70% of the vehicle's value as of Oct.1, 2006. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles provides this information to the Town each year.
If you registered a new car after Oct. 1, 2006 you will get a Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax bill in December 2007. If the license plates were transferred to a new vehicle, the supplemental tax will be the difference between the tax due on the new vehicle and the tax paid on the old vehicle.
The assessed value of personal property used for business is based on information supplied to the Assessor. Under the law, each business is required to provide the Assessor a list of certain tangible and intangible assets by Nov. 1 annually. There is a substantial penalty for failure to comply. Generally, the assessed value is 70% of the depreciated value, as determined by state prescribed formulas.