Town of North Branford

Forms	Grand List	Property Tax Relief
Property Values	Revaluation	Welcome Message

Welcome to the Web Page of the Office of the Assessor.

Connecticut Assessors are bound by state statute to perform various duties, which include determining property values for taxation purposes, and reviewing and approving various forms of property tax relief.

Property Values include not only real estate, but personal property as well. Equity in real estate is maintained through a revaluation, which occurs every five years. The majority of Personal property consists of furniture, fixtures, equipment, computers, and manufacturing equipment declared by commercial and industrial entities, although other items, such as horses, and unregistered motor vehicles need be declared as well. Motor vehicles are valued through the use of the N.A.D.A. valuation guides, as mandated by state statutes.

If you have personal property located within the municipal boundaries of the Town of North Branford, you must file a Personal Property Declaration.

Personal Property is described as follows: Business machinery & equipment, computers & computer equipment, office furniture & fixtures, unregistered motor vehicles, horses, farm tools & machinery, and other miscellaneous personal property. Real estate and registered motor vehicles need not be declared.

ALL declarations must be either returned or postmarked no later than November 15, 2012 in order to avoid a 25% penalty. Requests for an extension of up to 45 days is available for just cause. All accounts are subject to audit.

Declarations are available either on-line or in the Assessor’s Office. For more information, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 203 484-6013.

Property Tax Relief may include Elderly programs, Motor Vehicle exemptions, Farm and Forest land classifications, Tax Exempt organizations, and Veteran’s exemptions. Please refer to the web page for more information on these programs.

Farm and Forest Land

New applications for property owners claiming land as FARM or FOREST land must be filed by November 15, 2012 in order to qualify for PA490 for the 2012 Grand List. Applications are available on the Assessor’s Web Page.

Revaluation

The Town of North Branford completed its 2010 revaluation through Tyler Technology/CLT, using Vision Appraisal’s software. Data mailers were sent to the owners of residential properties requesting verification of information. Various physical inspections were conducted due to Building Permits, sales, requests for inspections, differences in data mailer information, and final review of all streets in the Town of North Branford. The use of GIS, listing information, permit inspections and useable sales assisted us in our market analysis in order to provide the most accurate and successful outcome of this town-wide revaluation.

After setting values, private appointments were available to review the information with anyone requesting further information. Notices of Assessment Change were then mailed, and the Grand list was completed, and signed on January 31, 2011.

For more information on all properties in the Town of North Branford, including details of the structures, land value and assessment, please log on to www.vgsi.com. Go to ‘ONLINE DATABASE ACCESS’ and click to enter the Assessor Database. Follow the links to “Connecticut” and then to “North Branford”.

The Grand List generates the greatest amount of revenue to the town through the collection of tax. Other sources of income to the town include various grants, building permit fees, copies, the filing of documents, and Park and Rec. activity enrollments, to name a few. The dollar amount of these various sources, plus the revenue generated by the total net grand list, vs. the total town budget is calculated to create the mill rate. A thorough analysis of all the town expenditures and revenues is made by the Town Council before it is scheduled for a town meeting. The taxpayers of North Branford play a large role in this process, as we vote in the budget, thus setting the mill rate. The 2011 mill rate was set at 27.77 mills; exactly the same rate as the 2010 mill rate. The 2011 Grand List was signed and filed on January 31, 2012.

Still have questions? For more information on any of the categories listed above, please feel free to contact the Assessors’ office Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at 203-484-6013.

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Tax Exemption for Handicap-accessible Motor Vehicle Any motor vehicle which has been modified for use by a handicapped person may be eligible for tax exemption. Individuals requesting an exemption must complete an “APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN AMBULANCE-TYPE MOTOR VEHICLES” and provide proof that the motor vehicle was modified to accommodate handicapped individuals by November 1, following the date of purchase. Details on Local Option 213-5 – 219-9 are available in the Assessor’s Office. Application form

Do you want to go before the Board of Assessment Appeals? You'll need to complete this form.