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Welcome to Vernon, a celebrated place to live, work and visit. 

Assessor

The town assessor has the sole responsibility of preparing an annual grand list consisting of Real Estate, Personal Property, Motor Vehicles, Tax Exempt Properties and applying various exemptions in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes and Local Ordinances. Assessor records are updated annually as changes occur to real estate as a result of building permit inspections, new construction and/or discovery. Tax maps are updated to reflect lot splits or combining of parcels.

All Connecticut towns are mandated to perform revaluations every five year to reflect market conditions and redistribute equitable value between property classes. The next scheduled revaluation is October 1, 2026.

Personal property refers to any property used or associated with a business operating in Vernon. Motor vehicles are also a-part of the annual grand list and are taxed based on value derived from NADA pricing manuals.

The assessor’s responsibility also includes administering various exemptions and tax credits for such programs as Elderly, Veterans and Disabled property owners. All programs are designed to provide some form of tax relief through assessment reductions or tax credits to those most in need or on fixed incomes. The function of the assessor and staff are governed by Connecticut General Statutes and appraisal practices with the daily operations reported to administration. Monthly reports are mandated by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for the State of Connecticut. Statistical data from those reports are the basis for various state grant and revenue reimbursements and pilot programs.

In many ways, think of the assessor’s office as a central database of information for real estate, motor vehicles, personal property and various exemptions both taxable and exempt. Property record cards are available for all properties along with GIS tax maps and property sales data.

Assessor's office staff
Christine Clarke, Interim Assessor
Melissa Murdock, Assessment Technician
Sherilyn Walker, Assessment Technician

 

Phone numbers
860-870-3625
fax, 860-870-3586

Office Email address
Assessment@vernon-ct.gov

Assessor's office location
8 Park Place
Vernon, CT 06066

Link to Property Cards

Office hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: Closed

The Assessor’s Office administers a variety of programs. You may qualify for assistance if you are elderly, disabled or handicapped and/or are a veteran. You can find more details on this site. If you need additional information, please feel free to call us at (860) 870-3625.

Town of Vernon 2021 Grand List Revaluation Summary

Revaluation

The Town of Vernon has completed the revaluation process for 2021.

Under Connecticut General Statute §12-62, every town in Connecticut is mandated to perform a town-wide real estate revaluation every five years. Prior to 2005, revaluations were performed every 10 years. In Vernon, the last revaluation year was 2016.

Value changes for residential units in town (1 to 4 family homes) are based on sales during the period January 2019 to September 30, 2021.

Letters listing new values have gone out. Each property owner will have the opportunity to schedule an informal hearing to discuss the value and the owner may provide any information to support his or her case for consideration.

Revaluation 2021 Q&A

Residential sales from 2019 to 2021 by home type:

 

Why used car values have Increase over last year's values

 

The value of used vehicles has increases dramatically over the past year and consequently you may notice an increase in the value of your existing vehicle when you receive your tax bill. Please see the following articles that explain what is happening in the used vehicle market and driving values:

 

Crumbling Foundations

Quick Links:

 

 Real Property in Connecticut is assessed at 70% of full value as of the date of the last revaluation (10/1/2021) §12-64. Revaluations are performed every five years per § 12-62. Personal Property and Motor Vehicles are assessed every year at 70% value. §12-71

Mill Rate Information

2022 Mill Rate for real estate and personal property, 33.39, and for motor vehicles, 32.46. (Revaluation year)
2021 Mill Rate for real estate and personal property, 33.39, and for motor vehicles, 32.46. (Revaluation year)
2020 Mill Rate   39.63
2019 Mill Rate   39.63
2018 Mill Rate   39.63
2017 Mill Rate   39.63
2016 Mill Rate   RE/PP 38.71  -- MV 37.0
2015 Mill Rate   RE/PP 38.03  -- MV 37.0
2014 Mill Rate   36.91
2013 Mill Rate   36.11
2012 Mill Rate   35.40
2011 Mill Rate   33.63
2010 Mill Rate   29.90
2009 Mill Rate   30.02
2008 Mill Rate   28.42

Board of Assessment Appeal:

The Board of Assessment Appeals members meet twice a year to hear appeals for Real Estate, Personal Property and Motor Vehicles.

  • Board of Assessment Appeals for 2022 Grand List Motor Vehicles will be held September 18, 19 & 20, 2023 4-7 PM.

No appointment necessary, first come, first served hearings. Bring supporting documentation and the vehicle when you appear before the board.

Hearings for Motor Vehicles on the regular Grand List are generally held in September each year with applications available in the office or on this site by the beginning of August each year.

Hearings for Real Estate, Personal Property and Supplemental Motor Vehicles are generally held in the month of March each year (except for Revaluation years when they are held in April).

BAA Schedules are published in the Journal Inquirer three weeks prior to the hearings and are also posted in the Assessor's and Town Clerk's offices. Anyone aggrieved with the results of the hearing may file suit in Superior Court within sixty days of the results. For more info, contact the Assessor's Office main phone number (860) 870-3625.

 

Elderly Homeowners and Totally Disabled Persons Tax Relief Program

 

Brief Overview: A tax relief program for elderly and totally disabled persons who meet certain income parameters is available to those who qualify. Once approved for a tax credit, the individual or married couple must submit an application on a biennial basis. Under the property tax credit program an applicant must, as of the October 1st assessment date:

  1. Be a Connecticut resident
  2. Be the owner of record (as of October 1st), or hold life use (as of October 1st)
  3. Be 65 years of age as of December 31st preceding the date on which they file an application for tax relief.
  4. Be receiving permanent total disability benefits (totally disabled persons only)
  5. Submit verified income from: Adjusted Gross Income from their federal tax return, plus Social Security Statements (SSA-1099); as well as pension statements, bank interest statements, and any other income if they do not file a federal tax return.
  • Elderly Homeowner's Program: This program is available to homeowners age 65 or older that are income-limited. The qualifying adjusted income limits for 2022 for married couples is $49,100, and for unmarried persons is $40,300.
  • Local Option Homeowners Program: This program is in addition to the Homeowner's Program and is again based on age 65 or older and income limited.
  • Local Freeze Program: This is a program for homeowners age 70 and older who are income limited. This program is in addition to the other programs listed above. 

For more info on these programs, click on these links or call our office at 860-870-3625.

 

Real Estate and Personal Property Inspections

Each year, members from the Assessor's Office perform field inspections in order to maintain accurate, up-to-date information on properties. This may be the result of a building permit being issued or updating our records as a part of the ten-year inspection cycle. The best way for taxpayers to know that their property information is correct is to welcome the assessor's visit to your property and to ask questions about factors that influence values in between revaluation cycles (which occur every 5 years).

It is important to know that the function of the field inspection is to discover, list and value all improvements. Taxes are a part of the budget process in the spring, when the mil rate is established.

Veterans

Any new veteran moving into Vernon needs to have their discharge (DD-214) on file with the Town Clerk. The original form DD-214 has to be filed with the Town Clerk before October 1, 2023 in order to receive benefits on the 2023 Grand List. If a veteran had lived in Vernon and moved away, and has now returned, they need to notify the Assessor's Office in order to reactivate their veteran exemption. Any claimant still serving and unable to appear in person may forward to the assessor annually a written statement, signed by the commanding officer of their unit or by the presentation of a notarized statement of a parent, guardian, spouse or legal representative of the claimant. The time served has to have been during wartime. Any veteran that is income-limited that has not reapplied since last year should also contact the Assessor's Office. If there are any questions, please call the Assessor's Office at 860-870-3625. For more info click here: Veteran Pamphlet - General Info.

Members of the National Guard who performed homeland security duties under Title 32 for 90 days or more on or after August 2, 1990 may be entitled to an exemption.

Active Military: Active Servicemembers are entitled to an exemption on one motor vehicle per year. To qualify, they must file an Armed Forces Exemption Form each year and return it to the assessor of the town in which the automobile is registered. Filing Deadline: filing is to be not later than December 31st following the date the property tax is due.

Dates of Wars and other recognized military campaigns and operations under the State Statute 27-103, as amended by Public Act 03-85 are listed here: Dates of Wars for Veteran exemptions.

Disabled Veterans: if you have a disability rating from the Veteran's Administration, please provide us with a copy of the letter showing the percentage of your disability. You may qualify for an additional assessment exemption. You only have to file your disability rating with the assessor once unless the percentage changes.

 

 Motor Vehicle Prorate Policy

Motor Vehicles are not prorated between Connecticut towns but may be if the vehicle leaves the state and is registered with another state. The motor vehicle is taxed where it is registered on October 1st of the Grand List year.

There are other reasons for a motor vehicle tax bill to be prorated, but two forms of proof are required. Please click here for more details: Motor Vehicle Pamphlet - General Info. For further assistance, please call us at (860) 870-3625.

Credit application must be made by December 31st two years after the assessment date.

GRAND
LIST
YEAR

 

 

TIME
LIMIT/CREDIT
REMOVAL

 

 

October 1, 2021

 

 

December, 31, 2023

 

  

October 1, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2024

 

  
           

 

Personal Property

Anyone operating a business in the Town of Vernon is subject to a Personal Property Tax. Property is depreciated as described on the appropriate Personal Property Declaration. You must file a personal property declaration each year with the Assessor's Office no later than November 1st (or next business day if the 1st falls on a weekend).

Those who do not file or who file declarations after the due date are subject to a 25% penalty on the total assessment. Applications may be picked up in the Assessor's Office after September 15th. Online filing is available. Non-residents must file in the town where the business assets are located for three or more of the twelve months preceding the assessment date. Even if a property has been sold, or was not located in the state on the assessment date, it must be reported if it meets the 3-month rule.

If the business closed or was sold after October 1st, there is no prorating and the July tax bill must be paid. If the business opens after October 1st, and proper proof is provided, then no Personal Property tax is due for that preceding Grand List.

For more detailed information about Personal Property, please see our Personal Property Pamphlet - General Information.

Please note that our minimum Personal Property assessment in the Town of Vernon is $300.

Income and Expense Statements

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT 2022 INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FILED IN VERNON FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2022 BY JUNE 1, 2023. IF YOU NEED A FORM, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AT assessment@vernon-ct.gov.

In accordance with Section 12-63c (d), of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, any owner of rental real property who fails to file this form or files an incomplete or false form with intent to defraud, shall be subject to a penalty assessment equal to a Ten Percent (10%) increase in the assessed value of such property.   In accordance with CGS, Sec 12-63b, as amended, upon determination that there is good cause, the assessor may grant an extension of not more than thirty days to file such information, if the owner of such property files a request for an extension with the assessor not later than May first.

 

Income and expense statements are value informational forms that allow the assessor to consider commercial property income and expenses when determining a value. ALL statements are confidential and not subject to the provisions of section 1-19 (Freedom of Information), of the Connecticut General Statutes.

The assessor requests that all forms be returned no later than June 1st or a 10% penalty may be applied as sanctioned by the Connecticut legislature. 

 

Landlord Ordinance

Re: An Ordinance for Identification of a Landlord (#265) effective April 15, 2007

In accordance with Ordinance 265, any owner of occupied or vacant rental real property shall maintain on file in the office of the tax assessor the owner's mailing address. A post office box address is not acceptable. This list is for emergency personnel use only in the case of an incident.

Any change in the owner's address must be reported to the tax assessor not more than 21 days after the date the address changed. Non-compliance with the statute constitutes a civil penalty for the violation of this ordinance in the sum of $250 for the first violation and not more than $1,000 for any subsequent violation.

If you own property in Vernon which is occupied by someone other than yourself or is vacant, please fill out the Landlord Ordinance Form and return it to our office via fax at 860-870-3586; or mail to Vernon Assessor's Office, 8 Park Place, Vernon CT 06066.