Motor Vehicle Property Tax Information
Motor Vehicles (registered & non-registered) are subject to local property tax under Connecticut State Law
Motor Vehicle Assessments
Valuation of registered / non-registered passenger motor vehicles
Pursuant to Public Act 22-118, June Special Session Public Act 24-1, and Public Act 25-2, Municipal Assessors statewide will be valuing registered/non-registered passenger motor vehicles differently than they have in the past.
Effective with the October 1, 2024 Grand List, the Montville Assessor’s Office will no longer rely on the market value of vehicles, but will instead utilize the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of a vehicle and apply a statutory depreciation schedule to calculate the depreciated value of a vehicle, from 90% to 20% of the initial MSRP.
The depreciated value will then be multiplied by the statewide assessment ratio of 70%, producing the assessed value of your vehicle for taxation.
The assessed value of your vehicle will automatically decrease according to the depreciation schedule. Your vehicle will be assessed at no less than $500 for taxation purposes at any time.
Below example is based on a 2020 Honda Accord Sedan 4D 2.0L I4
|
NEW METHOD (Effective October 1, 2024) |
|||||
|
MSRP X Straight line depreciation |
|||||
|
MSRP |
X |
Depreciation % Based on year |
= |
Depreciated Value |
|
|
Depreciated Value |
X |
Assessment Ratio |
= |
Assessed Value |
|
|
Assessed Value |
X |
Mill Rate |
= |
Tax Bill |
|
|
25,470 |
X |
70% |
= |
17,829 |
Depreciated Value |
|
17,829 |
X |
70% |
= |
12,480 |
Assessed Value |
|
12,480 |
X |
0.02887 |
= |
$ 360.31 |
Tax Bill due July 2025 (2024 GL) |
|
OLD METHOD (Same vehicle on the 2023 Grand List) |
||||||||
|
100% Average/Clean Retail Value as of 10/1 Grand List Year |
||||||||
|
Ave/Clean Retail Value as of 10/1 GL Year |
X |
Assessment Ratio |
= |
Assessed Value |
||||
|
Assessed Value |
X |
Mill Rate |
= |
Tax Bill |
||||
|
23,925 |
X |
70% |
= |
16,748 |
Assessed Value |
|||
|
16,748 |
X |
0.02777 |
= |
$ 465.08 |
Tax Bill due July 2024 (2023 GL) |
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|
|
|
|
||||||
|
$ 465.08 |
OLD METHOD |
(PREVIOUS YEAR) |
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|
- |
$ 360.31 |
NEW METHOD |
(CURRENT YEAR) |
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|
$ 104.77 |
Difference |
(Savings) |
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|
Age of Vehicle |
Vehicle Year Grand List (2024 Grand List) |
Percentage of MSRP |
|
Up to year one |
2026/2025/2024 |
90% |
|
Year two |
2023 |
85% |
|
Year three |
2022 |
80% |
|
Year four |
2021 |
75% |
|
Year five |
2020 |
70% |
|
Year six |
2019 |
65% |
|
Year seven |
2018 |
60% |
|
Year eight |
2017 |
55% |
|
Year nine |
2016 |
50% |
|
Year ten |
2015 |
45% |
|
Year eleven |
2014 |
40% |
|
Year twelve |
2013 |
35% |
|
Year thirteen |
2012 |
30% |
|
Year fourteen |
2011 |
25% |
|
Years fifteen to nineteen |
2010/2009/2008/2007/2006 |
20% |
|
Years twenty and beyond |
2005 and earlier |
Not less than $500 |
The depreciation schedule will be based on Resolution #2025-28 approved by the Town of Montville.
An Antique Vehicle Affidavit Form is required to be filed with the Assessor's Office as of October 1st unless the vehicle is already registered with the DMV with historic / antique plates.
Board of Assessment Appeals will meet in September 2025
The Montville Board of Assessment Appeals will next meet in September 2025 at the call of the chair to hear petitions in regards to Motor Vehicles ONLY.
Please note that effective with the October 1, 2024 Grand List per 12-117a of the CT General Statutes:
- Motor vehicles are assessed based on MSRP without factors such as high mileage, salvage vehicles, and rebuilt titles.
- Vehicle owners may appeal the MSRP determination to the Board of Assessment Appeals at their next successive meeting.
Motor Vehicle Tax Credits
Motor vehicles which are no longer owned or are registered out of state may be eligible for tax credits or prorations. To receive a credit, the Assessor's Office must be supplied with two forms of proof, one of which must be a Plate Receipt from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Other acceptable forms of proof include a bill of sale, transfer of title, out of state registration, insurance proof stating date of total loss, junk receipt, trade-in agreement, repossession letter or a charitable donation letter. All forms of proof must identify the vehicle by make, model and V.I.N. and the date and reason it is no longer owned.
Proof must be supplied to the Assessor's Office within 27 months of the assessment date according to CGS Section 12-71c. For example, an owner of a vehicle on the October 1, 2021 Grand List has until December 31, 2023 to supply the proper proof for a motor vehicle tax credit. Failure to do so in the time allowed constitutes a waiver of the right to such credit. Proof can be mailed, faxed or brought to the Assessor's Office. Proof can also be e-mailed to the Assessor's Office.
Please Note: If the registration has been transferred to a replacement vehicle, the July tax is due in full. This payment will be credited toward the replacement vehicle and billed the following January.
Motor Vehicle Tax Exemptions
Exemptions are available for:
- Motor Vehicle of a Service Person (Connecticut Resident)
- Motor Vehicle(s) of a Service Person (Non-Resident)
- Specially Equipped motor vehicle used to accommodate a handicapped driver or passenger
- New Commercial Motor Vehicle