Personal Property

Business Personal Property

Personal property of businesses (computers, office furniture, equipment, etc.), whether owned or leased, is reported on an annual basis to the Assessor's Office. 

All owners of business personal property must complete and return a personal property declaration to the Assessor no later than November 1st annually. If the declaration is not filed, the Assessor is required by State Statute to complete a declaration for the owner with an estimated assessment, and add a 25% penalty thereto.  A penalty is also assessed if the declaration is submitted after the November 1st deadline.  Forms can be downloaded (below) and declarations can be returned by mail, email, fax or can be submitted in person. It is suggested you keep a copy of the declaration as filed for your records and for future reference.

The information required on the declaration form includes the date of acquisition of the property, as well as its original cost of acquisition including installation.  All information is confidential and not open to public inspection.

There are certain exemptions available for business personal property such as for manufacturing equipment or farm machinery among others. Please review the declaration or contact the Assessor’s office at 860-974-1674 for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

My business is small/just starting up/does not make a profit. Do I still have to file?

Regardless of how small the business is, or what profit you are making, CT law requires all businesses to declare their property annually.

How much is my tax bill going to be?

Your tax bill is not calculated until the mill rate is set by the Board of Finance, usually in the spring.

What happens if I do not file this declaration?

If you do not file a declaration, the Assessor will still assess your property using the best information available and you will still receive a tax bill with the applicable assessment plus 25% penalty.

What happens if I file the declaration late?

A 25% penalty will be applied to the assessment. Filing late is also a waiver of any applicable exemptions.

I do not believe I am required to fill out this form. What should I do with it?

Contact the Assessor’s Office immediately. Do NOT ignore this form. If you do not respond to this form, the Assessor’s Office must assume that you are in business and you will receive a tax bill the following July.

Can I call to ask for an extension?

Extensions to file this declaration must be in writing and will only be granted for good cause.

Is this a new law? Why wasn’t I taxed previously?

This is not a new law. You were not taxed previously because the Assessor’s Office only discovered your business now.

How did you discover my business/out of state registered vehicle/unregistered vehicle?

The Assessor’s Office has a duty to discover property to add to the Grand List. This is done by reviewing trade name certificates, local advertisements, Planning and Zoning Commission minutes, building permits, state licenses, LLCs registered with the state, visual inspection while driving through town, word of mouth, and other taxpayer complaints.

If I sell my business in the middle of the year, does my tax bill get reduced?

No. You pay a tax bill in July for all property you owned as of Oct. 1^st the previous year. Any property sold/disposed of during the year should be indicated on the following year’s declaration.

How do I find original purchase price for my property?

Your financial records and tax returns are the best place to look for purchase prices. Many businesses ask their accountant for help, and to even fill out the declaration for them.

How do I value property that was given to me, or that I purchased personally prior to starting a business?

Please use your best educated guess for fair market value on the date you were given the property, or the date you converted the property to business use.

What if I am not sure which category an item belongs in?

The guide on page 3 may help you, and you can also contact the Assessor’s Office with specific questions.

My business is in another town. What should I do?

Contact the Assessor’s Office with proof that you are paying a personal property tax bill in the other town, as well as a copy of your most recently filed declaration.

Are there any exemptions I might qualify for?

On page 6, check the box next to the exemption(s) you are claiming. Some exemptions require an additional application in order to receive that exemption, and an extension to file the declaration, if granted, does not apply to all required exemption applications.

Can this declaration be audited?

The Assessor is authorized to audit declarations within 3 years of the date of the required filing. Substantial penalties are applicable if such an audit reveals property not declared as required by law.