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1. How can I pay my tax bill?

Tax bills can be paid using cash, a check or a credit card.  There is a 2.5% fee when using a credit card and a $2.00 fee for a bank check.

Payments can be mailed to the Tax Collector's Office, dropped in the outside drop box located at the front door of the Westbrook Town Hall, paid in person or additionally, paid online at http://www.westbrookct.us.

2. How can I get a receipt for paying my taxes?

If paying in person, be sure to bring your entire bill with you.

If paying by mail, enclose the entire bill along with a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your check - a receipt will be mailed to you.

3. When is the last day to pay my taxes?

For any given year:

• For the January 1 tax bill, the last day to pay your taxes is February 1st;
  
• For the July 1 tax bill, the last day to pay your taxes is August 1.

IF either of these dates fall on a Saturday or a Sunday, then the last day to pay is the Monday that immediately follows.

IF you bank online, there is no documentation for your payment.  Your payment may be considered late and interest will be charged accordingly since State Statutes require a postmark.

IF you drop your payment in the drop box at the front door of the town hall, it will be considered an on-time payment if the following business day is not past the due-date.

4. What is the penalty if I pay my taxes late?

Taxes that are not paid on time will be subject to a $2.00 minimum or 1.5% interest on unpaid tax for each month the bill goes unpaid - retroactive to the original due date. 

This is per Connecticut State Statute §12-146.

5. When are Real Estate Liens applied?

Real Estate liens by Connecticut State Statute §12-175 must be placed with the Town Clerk no later than 2 years from the first due date.

In Westbrook, "Notice with Intent to Lien" notices are sent out at the beginning of April of each year.  It is for taxes that were due on July 1st of the previous year.

If taxes are not paid by May 30th, a Real Estate Lien will be filed with the Westbrook Town Clerk.

6. I didn't receive my tax bill, what do I do?

It is your responsibility to call the tax collector's office at (860) 399-3043 and obtain your tax bill.  Failure to receive a tax bill does NOT invalidate the bill or any interest which may accrue.  This is per Connecticut State Statute §12-130.

7. I moved, what do I do about my Westbrook taxes?

You must notify the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 48 hours so future tax bills can be sent to your proper (new) address.  

Since taxes are in arrears, you should notify the Westbrook tax office.

Motor Vehicle bills are based on any given October 1.  For example: if you live in Westbrook on October 1st but move to Middletown on October 2nd, you tax bill is due in full to Westbrook.  Failure to receive a tax bill does NOT invalidate the bill or any interest which may accrue.  This is per Connecticut State Statute §12-130.

8. Am I eligible for any tax exemptions?

• If you were /are in the military and think you are entitled to an exemption, OR,
• If you are a senior and have questions about exemptions, please contact the Assessor's office directly at (860) 399-3045.

9. My mortgage has been paid in full and I was escrowing my taxes, what should I do?

If you no longer escrow your taxes, it is your responsibility to notify the tax office and request a bill.  

Banks do not notify the tax office when they are no longer escrowing for any particular property.

10. The DMV won't allow me to register my vehicle, what do I need to do?

Any outstanding taxes must be paid before a vehicle can be registered:

• To immediately release any tax hold, you need to come to the tax office and make payment in cash.  
• If there are outstanding taxes on other vehicles which you own or co-own, they must also be paid to release a tax hold.
• A check is accepted, however, you must wait 14 days for the check to clear the bank for payment to take affect.  
• After a check clears, the tax office notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles weekly regarding payments made.

11. I sold my car and transferred my license plate to another vehicle, what do I need to do?

• You must not ignore a bill which you receive for a vehicle you; no longer own.  If you have transferred license plates from  your old car to a new vehicle, then you should pay the bills as you receive them.  
• Any credit owed for taxes representing your old vehicle will be reflected on the "Motor Vehicle Supplemental Bill" you receive in January.

12. Why am I receiving tax bills for a vehicle I no longer own?

If you sold your car and turned your license plates in at the Department of Motor Vehicles, get a receipt.  The Assessor will need that receipt to adjust your bill to reflect only the months you actually owned the car.  If you lost, or did not keep, your Department of Motor Vehicle receipt, please contact the Assessor's office (860) 399-3045) to discuss what documentation is acceptable to prove you no longer own the vehicle.

13. There are errors on my Automotive tax bill, what do I need to do?

• The information on your tax bill is supplied to the Westbrook Tax Office directly from the Department of Motor Vehicles.  
• To have any information corrected, you will have to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.

14. What is mill rate?

The mill rate is the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property. 

The mill rate is based on "mills." It is a figure that represents the amount per $1,000 (1/1,000) of the assessed value of property, which is used to calculate the amount of property tax. 

The mill rate is typically set in May of each year following the passage of the annual budget.