Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicle assessments are based on 70% of the average retail value as of October 1st of each year according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). The July tax bills cover the time period of October 1st of the previous year through September. Bills may have a second half payment due January 1 of the following year.

Vehicles that are registered after October 1st will be on the Supplemental Motor Vehicle Grand List. Bills will arrive in the month of December and will be due January 1. These bills will reflect from the month the vehicle is registered to September 30th.

What to do if you no longer own a Vehicle:

If you are receiving a bill for a vehicle that you no longer own documentation is required. TWO forms of proof are required: mandatory copy of the plate receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with proof of the disposition of the vehicle. For examples of acceptable forms of proof please click on the link below.

What to do if you did not reside in Stratford as of October 1 of the Grand List year:

If you changed your in-state residency prior to October 1st of the Grand List year you received a bill for, please proved TWO forms of proof of residency: For the acceptable forms of proof please click on the link below.

Tax Exemption for Ambulance-Type Motor Vehicles

The Town of Stratford allows for the exemption from taxation for any ambulance-type motor vehicle that is used exclusively for the purpose of transporting any medically incapacitated individual. If this vehicle is used in a manner that produces income/charges a fee for transportation such vehicle will not be eligible for this exemption.

Definitions:

  • Ambulance-Type Motor Vehicle – Any motor vehicle specially equipped for the purpose of transporting medically incapacitated individuals.

  • Specially Equipped – Substantially modified, equipped or fitted with, but not limited to, the following devices: hand controls, lifts, ramps, stretchers or other special seating and alterations to accommodate medical equipment such as oxygen tanks or mechanical respirators.

Application Process:

Applications for the Ambulance-Type motor vehicle exemption are due annually by November 1st. For vehicles purchased on or after October 2, or on or before July 31 of the assessment year for which such exemption is requested, applications must be filed not later than thirty days after the purchase of such vehicle or after such modifications have been made to the owner’s existing vehicle. To download a copy of the application, please click on the link below.

Antique, Rare, or Special Interest Motor Vehicle

CT PA 08-150 allows vehicles that are over 20 years old to be considered for an assessment of 500 dollars providing that the below application is completed in its entirety and meets the definition of antique per Connecticut general statute 14.1(3);

“Antique, rare, or special interest motor vehicle means a motor vehicle twenty years old or older which is being preserved because of historic interest and which is not altered or modified from the original manufacturer’s specifications;”

Applications for this exemption must be filed annually by December 15th. To download a copy of the application, please click the link below.

New Commercial Truck, Truck Tractor, Trailer or Semi-Trailer Tax Exemption

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Exemption Program provides a property tax exemption for a maximum period of five years. Two classes of new (never before registered in any jurisdiction) commercial motor vehicles are eligible depending on the date of registration, gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating, and use:

  1. commercial motor vehicles used exclusively to transport freight for hire with a GVW rating in excess of 26,000 pounds subject to U.S. DOT Code limitations with regard to vehicle use or material transported, and

  2. commercial motor vehicles with a GVW rating in excess of 55,000 pounds and which do not qualify for exemption under the criteria for the freight for hire exemption (with DOT Code limitations) For the first year in which the exemption is requested, the Application for the exemption must be filed by November 1 with the assessor in the municipality where the vehicle is both garaged and subject to the local property tax.

For more information or a copy of the application please click on the links below.