Connecticut Real Property Tax Revaluation Alert
By: Philip C. Pires and Jason A. Buchsbaum
In Connecticut, real property tax assessments are set to be revalued in fall 2024 for many municipalities, including Bloomfield, Branford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Coventry, Derby, Hamden, Mansfield, Monroe, New Fairfield, North Branford, North Haven, Old Lyme, Oxford, Pomfret, Prospect, Putnam, Seymour, Thompson, Tolland, Torrington, Voluntown, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge. These revaluations will determine tax assessments for the next five years, making it crucial for property owners to understand how to challenge unfair assessments effectively.
The Preliminary Assessment Notice and the Informal Meeting
Municipalities usually retain a revaluation company to conduct the town-wide revaluation. As part of the revaluation process, property owners will typically receive a notice of preliminary tax assessment in December 2024 or January 2025. This notice provides the property owner with a chance to meet with the revaluation company to discuss the preliminary assessment. This informal meeting, although not required, offers the taxpayer a valuable opportunity to obtain an assessment reduction early in the process and with minimal expense. We advise taking advantage of this early opportunity in the process.
Next Steps if Unsatisfied
If you are unsatisfied with the outcomes of the informal meeting, or if you choose to bypass that step, you must act by February 20, 2025, to apply for an assessment reduction through the local Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). Note that failing to appeal to the BAA generally bars you from disputing your tax assessment until the next year. The BAA will then schedule a hearing in March or April and issue a decision. That decision can be appealed to the Connecticut Superior Court.
How Our Connecticut Tax Appeal Attorneys Can Help
Our team of experienced tax appeal attorneys is ready to guide you through the entire tax appeal process across Connecticut. From analyzing the costs and benefits of your potential appeal to navigating the complex legal assessment issues, we provide comprehensive support to ensure your property is fairly assessed.
While the best time to challenge your assessment is in the first year of revaluation when you can obtain a reduction for the entire five-year revaluation period, tax assessments can be challenged in any year on the same schedule outlined above. You can read more about the Connecticut tax appeal process in our detailed guide here: Cohen and Wolf Tax Appeal Guide.
Please contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you with your Connecticut real property tax appeal.
Philip C. Pires and Jason A. Buchsbaum are members of the Property Tax & Valuation and Municipal Groups at Cohen and Wolf, P.C. Phil and Jason regularly represent municipal, corporate, and individual clients in all aspects of commercial and municipal litigation, including property tax appeals.
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