Owning a home in Connecticut means dealing with property taxes every year. They’re not small either, in some towns your tax bill can feel almost like a second mortgage. The money goes to things you use every day, like schools, fire and police protection, trash pickup, and local roads.
Each town sets its own mill rate, so what you pay in Hartford can be very different from what a homeowner pays in Fairfield or Norwich. That’s why two houses with the same value might have very different tax bills.
If you understand how your property is assessed and how the rates are set, you’ll have a much easier time planning your budget. You’ll also know when it makes sense to challenge your assessment or apply for exemptions that can lower your bill.
How Property Taxes Work in Connecticut
Every town in Connecticut sets its own property tax rate, known as the mill rate. Your annual bill is calculated by applying that rate to the assessed value of your home and land. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.
Because the system is local, tax bills vary widely. For example, Hartford’s mill rate is above 60, which means homeowners there often pay some of the highest property taxes in the state. In contrast, Greenwich’s rate is closer to 11, so even though home values are high, the tax rate itself is lower.
The money collected stays in your community. It pays for schools, police and fire protection, road maintenance, trash collection, and other local services. In short, it’s how towns keep things running.
Who Collects Property Taxes
If you live in Connecticut, the tax bill you get in the mail doesn’t come from the state. It comes straight from your town. Every city and town has its own tax collector’s office that keeps the books, sends the bills, and tracks payments.
If your mortgage includes an escrow account, your lender pays the town on your behalf, so you never see the bill directly.
Depending on where your property is, you might also notice smaller charges for things like fire districts or sewer improvements. These aren’t statewide fees, they’re local add-ons that cover services in specific neighborhoods.
How Property Taxes Are Calculated in Connecticut
Your tax bill in Connecticut comes down to three numbers: the assessed value of your property, the assessment ratio, and the mill rate set by your town.
- Assessed Value
Every property in Connecticut is assessed at 70% of its fair market value. So if your home could sell for $300,000, the town will set your assessed value at $210,000. - Mill Rate
The mill rate is the local tax rate. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. For example, if your town’s mill rate is 30, and your home’s assessed value is $210,000, your yearly property tax would be $6,300. - Local Adjustments
Mill rates vary widely across the state. In 2024, Bridgeport’s mill rate was over 40, while Greenwich kept theirs close to 11. That’s why two homes with the same market value can end up with very different tax bills depending on where they’re located.
How Your Property’s Value Is Assessed in Connecticut
All towns in Connecticut review property values on a regular schedule, generally every five years. The goal is to keep tax bills in line with current market conditions. Between full revaluations, the assessor may still adjust your property’s value if you make major changes, like adding an extension or finishing a basement.
Assessors use a few different methods to figure out your home’s value:
- Sales Comparison – Your property is compared to similar homes that recently sold in your area.
- Cost Method – The town estimates what it would cost to rebuild your home today, minus depreciation.
- Income Method – For rental or commercial properties, value is based on the income the property could generate.
If you live in a hot market like Fairfield County, where home prices have climbed quickly, you’ll probably see higher assessments. On the other hand, towns in eastern Connecticut, where sales prices have risen more slowly, may show smaller jumps in assessed values.
What Affects Your Property Taxes
Your property tax bill can go up or down depending on several factors. Here are the most common ones Connecticut homeowners see:
- Market Trends: If home prices in your town go up, your assessed value may increase the next time the assessor updates records.
- Home Improvements: Adding a garage, finishing the attic, or expanding living space can raise your property’s assessed value.
- Local Tax Rates: Each town sets its own mill rate. When the town budget grows for schools, road work, or public safety, the rate can increase, and so does your bill.
Paying Property Taxes in Connecticut
In most Connecticut towns, property taxes are due twice a year, on July 1 and January 1. Some larger cities, like Hartford and New Haven, also allow quarterly installments.
If you have a mortgage, your lender probably includes property taxes in your monthly payment and sends the money to the town through an escrow account. This way, you don’t have to worry about missing a deadline.
If you pay directly, be careful with due dates. The state charges 1.5% interest per month on late balances. Unpaid bills can lead to a lien on your home and, if ignored, a possible tax sale.
Appealing Your Property Tax Assessment in Connecticut
If you think your home’s assessed value is too high, you can file an appeal. The process is local, handled by the Board of Assessment Appeals in your town.
Here’s how it works in Connecticut:
- Check your assessment: Review the details on your property card from the assessor’s office. Mistakes in square footage, number of bedrooms, or lot size can raise your value unfairly.
- Gather proof: Collect recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood or get an appraisal that shows a lower value.
- File on time: Appeals are usually due by February or March, depending on the town. You’ll need to submit your request before the deadline to be heard.
- Attend the hearing: Bring your evidence and explain why your assessment is too high. The board will decide whether to adjust it.
If you win, your assessed value and your future tax bills will be reduced.
How to Lower Your Property Tax Bill
While you can’t control your town’s mill rate, there are a few steps that may lower what you pay:
- Apply for exemptions: Connecticut offers relief programs for seniors, veterans, and homeowners with disabilities. Some towns also give breaks for primary residences.
- Check your property record: Errors in square footage, number of rooms, or lot size can lead to higher assessments. Fixing them may reduce your bill.
- File an appeal: If your assessment is above market value, bring evidence to the Board of Assessment Appeals.
- Stay engaged locally: Following town budget meetings helps you understand and sometimes influence decisions that affect future mill rates.
Property Taxes When You Sell a Home in Connecticut
In Connecticut, property taxes are paid at closing. The bill is split between the seller and the buyer based on the exact date the property changes hands. For example, if you sell your home in mid-April, you’ll pay taxes for January through mid-April, and the buyer covers the rest of the year. This adjustment is handled by the attorney or closing agent so that no one overpays or inherits an unpaid balance.
Be sure your tax records are up to date. If you’ve appealed your assessment or claimed an exemption, keep copies of the decisions and recent bills. Buyers often ask to review this paperwork during negotiations. Having it ready not only avoids delays but can also make your property more appealing, since Connecticut towns vary widely in mill rates. For sellers who need to sell their house fast, keeping tax records and paperwork in order helps the closing stay on track.
Property Taxes and Real Estate Values in Connecticut
Property taxes play a role in how homes are valued across Connecticut. Towns that keep tax rates balanced often attract more buyers, while places with high mill rates can make some buyers think twice, even if the homes themselves are priced fairly.
The effect isn’t always negative, though. In many cases, the services funded by property taxes, like well-rated schools, reliable public safety, and good roads actually help protect or increase property values. That’s why towns in Fairfield County, even with higher home prices, continue to draw strong demand. Buyers see value in what the taxes support.
For homeowners, the takeaway is that property taxes are part of the overall picture of affordability. A lower sticker price on a house doesn’t always mean lower costs if the town’s mill rate is high. When you compare communities, it helps to look at both the home price and the yearly tax bill to get a true sense of what you’ll spend to live there.
Final Thoughts
Property taxes aren’t set once and forgotten. Towns revalue homes every five years, and mill rates change with each local budget. If you keep an eye on those two factors and know when to claim exemptions or file an appeal, you’ll be better prepared for the next tax bill.
For many homeowners, the difference comes down to paying attention. Review your assessment, show up at budget hearings if you can, and take advantage of any relief programs you qualify for. A little preparation can make property taxes easier to manage year after year.