The Town of West Hartford has several tax relief programs to assist elderly homeowners.

West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Submitted by the Town of West Hartford

The Town of West Hartford offers elderly homeowners programs to reduce their property tax bills.

“These programs are government’s way of providing property tax relief to our elderly and disabled residents,” said Town Assessor Joseph Dakers, Sr. “They are now on fixed incomes in their retirement years and these programs help them to sustain their property taxes.”

The first program is the State of Connecticut Elderly Homeowner Program.

West Hartford homeowners age 65 years and older as of Dec. 31, 2015 who have a maximum annual income of $35,200 for a single individual and $42,900 for a married couple, may be eligible for a minimum of $150 off their tax bill and up to a maximum of $1,250. The tax benefit works on a sliding scale.

Residents who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for the program in the Assessment Office, Room 142, Town Hall, 50 South Main Str..  The filing period is Feb. 2 through May 15, 2016.

Applicants will need to show their date of birth, social security number, and proof of all income (taxable and non-taxable) for 2015 including:

• A copy of the 1099 form from Social Security
• A copy of a complete Income Tax Return for 2015
• If no Income Tax Return was filed, submit copies of ALL 1099 forms or separate income documents
• W-2 forms, if applicable

The second program is the Local Elderly Property Tax Freeze program.

“Imagine your tax bill frozen in time; that’s what this program does,” Dakers said. “Your tax bill will remain the same next year, five years from now, and 20 years from now.”

“For residents who are eligible, this program takes the worry out of the question, ‘Can I afford to pay this year’s tax increase?'” he continued.

To be eligible for this program, West Hartford residents must be at least 70 years of age as of Dec. 31, 2015, have a maximum annual income of $35,200 for a single individual and $42,900 for a married couple, and must have owned and occupied their property in West Hartford as of Oct. 1, 2015.

If the qualifications are met, eligible residents will have their taxes frozen at the amount of tax due for the 2015 Grand List which are payable in July 2016 and January 2017.

The Local Elderly Homeowners Tax Freeze Program does not disqualify residents from any other tax/assessment benefits available to residents in West Hartford.

“West Hartford also offers additional tax relief for veterans, and homeowners who are blind and/or disabled,” Dakers said.

“I want our elderly homeowners to get what they deserve. I don’t want anyone missing out only because they were not aware of the opportunities that exist for them,” he said.

“The application process is simple. Our friendly staff will meet with the homeowner, review all the documents, look at the property record card, and then determine right then and there which programs he or she qualifies for,” Dakers said.

Both programs require homeowners to renew their application every two years during the filing period of Feb. 2 to May 15.

To learn more and to obtain an application for these programs, please call the Assessment Office at 860-561-7414.  The office is located in Room 142 of Town Hall, 50 South Main St., West Hartford.