Q. How is the town budget allocated?

Town of Ridgefield Budget July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 The Town of Ridgefield mill rate for 2008-2009 has been set at 19.91.  A total budget of $120,494,420 has been approved for the fiscal year. $76,012,318 will support the operation of our education system. The balance is allocated for General Government, Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Debt Service and Library. Of the total funds required, approximately 88.89% will come from collection of current and delinquent taxes. The balance comes from state government, licenses & permits, charges for services and interest from investments.

Q. How is the tax (mill) rate established?

A. The Grand Levy is the amount of revenue in the Annual Town Budget, which must be raised by the property tax. The balance required is received from fees, state assistance and miscellaneous revenue. The Grand List is a listing of all taxable properties located within the Town on October 1, of the Grand list year. The property tax rate is expressed in mills or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 19.91 mills is equivalent to $19.91 of taxes per $1,000 of assessed value. The tax rate is determined by dividing the Grand Levy by the Grand List.

Q. What types of property are assessed and subject to taxes?

A. Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes: Real Estate, Motor Vehicles and Personal Property.

• Real Estate - any land or buildings you own fall under this category.
• Motor Vehicles - registered motorized or non-motorized vehicles, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles and trailers.
• Personal Property - is a general category made up of machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures, either owned or leased by business and industry as well as Motor Vehicles that are garaged but not registered in the State of Connecticut.

Q. When should I expect my tax bill?

A. Property tax bills are sent out in late June of each year for the entire year.

• Real Estate - tax bills totaling $100 or less for Real Property are paid in one installment due July 1. Bills greater than $100 are due in quarterly installments on July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1. If you sold your real estate and receive a tax bill, please return it to the Tax Office.
• Personal Property - tax bills of $100 or less are paid in one installment due July 1. Bills greater than $100 are due in quarterly installments on July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.
• Motor Vehicles - taxes are due in a single installment due July 1. If you no longer own the motor vehicle on which the tax bill is based, please contact the Tax Assessor's office. Remember that when you receive your tax bill, nine months of the year covered by the bill have already passed.

Never ignore a tax bill. Taxes will remain due and interest will continue to accumulate until the bill is paid. If you fail to receive your tax bill, please call the Tax Collector's Office (431-2779).

Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt taxes or interest. You are responsible for obtaining your tax bill and paying the taxes on time.  No tax collector has the right to waive interest.

If you don't receive a tax bill by the end of the first week in July please contact the Tax Office so we can supply you with another.

Q. What is a Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax Bill?

A. Vehicles registered between October 2, and the following July 31, will appear on a "Supplemental Motor Vehicle List" provided to the Tax Assessor by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles. The assessed value of each "Supplemental" vehicle is prorated based on the month of registration. Supplemental Motor Vehicle bills are due in one installment on January 1.

If you traded in a vehicle for a new vehicle and transferred the plates, all taxes must be paid on the original vehicle and a credit will be given on the supplemental motor vehicle bill for the new vehicle.

Q. What if I dispose of a motor vehicle after October 1?

A. You may be entitled to a credit or refund, if your vehicle is sold and not replaced, destroyed, stolen or removed from Connecticut and registered in another state. Your tax bill will be prorated by the Assessor's office based on the month in which it was disposed. A request for adjustment must be made to the Tax Assessor's Office and written documentation regarding the disposal must be provided. Application for adjustment should be made as soon as the vehicle is disposed of since there is a statutory time limit on motor vehicle adjustments. Failure to apply on time will result in denial of the pro-rate.

Q. Do I pay taxes on my leased vehicle?

A. Yes. All tax rules apply to leased vehicles. However, the bill is mailed directly to the leasing company since leased cars are registered in the company's name. If you terminate your lease it is very important that you provide the Tax Assessor's with a return of plate receipt or a letter from your insurance company showing the vehicle cancelled from your policy as soon as possible.

Q. Who do I pay if I move within Connecticut?

A. Motor Vehicle Taxes are due to the municipality where you lived on October 1, so even if you moved by the time you received your tax bill the following July, you must still pay the Town where you resided on October 1. Make sure you notify the Dept. of Motor Vehicles as soon as you move and also let the Tax Collector's Office have your new address as well.

Q. When does my tax bill become delinquent?

A. Taxes must be paid within one month of the due date to avoid interest or penalty. Delinquent Taxes are subject to interest at the rate of 1 1/2 % per month or part thereof($2.00 minimum), from the original due date of the tax. In addition to the interest, all lien fees on real estate and collection costs on motor vehicle and personal property are the obligation of the taxpayer. All delinquent Motor Vehicle taxes are reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You will not be able to register any vehicle in your name, until all taxes, interest and collection costs are paid in full. In order to obtain a release for registration, all delinquent Motor Vehicle taxes must be paid in cash, certified check, bank check or money order.

Q. How can I make a payment?

• You may pay all taxes in person by coming to the Tax Collector's Office in the Town Hall at 400 Main Street during our regular office hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday and the last Saturday of July, October, January and April from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
• You may also mail your tax payment to: Tax Collector, PO Box 299, Ridgefield, CT 06877-0299. If you want a receipt please send a stamped self-addressed envelope. However, you can use your cancelled check as a receipt. Make checks payable to: "Tax Collector, Town of Ridgefield".
• You may pay your bills online

  ebill www.mcc.net

  Click here to pay your bills online We are excited to offer residents in our community a new, convenient method to pay your bills via the web. Simply click the above link to register and pay your bill online. No signup cost Easy, convenient, and secure Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Uses checking or savings account 35 cents per electronic check transaction Pay using selected credit cards (look on MCC eBill website for further details.)

• You may pay by credit card either by telephone at 1-800-272-9829 or online at www.officialpayments.com.  Use Jurisdiction Code 1761.  Please note that there is a fee for this service which is approximately 3% of the payment.

Q. What if I am delinquent on my real estate taxes?

A. The Tax Office attempts to send out a "Delinquency Notice" after each installment as a reminder. In addition, at the end of each fiscal year, tax liens are filed against all properties on which there is a delinquent real estate tax. There is a $24.00 charge to release each lien, regardless of the delinquent amount due. At the time of payment, all interest, taxes and fees must be paid before the lien can be released.

Q. What if I am delinquent on my motor vehicle and/or personal property taxes?