Manchester offers tax exemption for veterans

Joseph Villanova, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Nov. 24—MANCHESTER — Veterans living in Manchester may qualify for a property tax exemption being piloted by the town.

TAX EXEMPTION

WHAT: Veterans living in Manchester can apply for a property tax exemption equal to 10 percent of their primary residence's assessed value.

WHEN: Applications are open until Dec. 31, after which the town will process them and award credits.

HOW TO APPLY: The application is available on the town's website, and hard copies can be found at the Office of Assessment and Collection in Town Hall, 41 Center St.

A veteran, as defined by Connecticut general statutes, whose federal adjusted gross income is less that $50,100, can apply for a tax exemption equal to 10 percent of the assessed value of their primary residence.

Connecticut Public Act No. 22-34, signed into law in March, allows for municipalities to provide for the tax exemption by a vote of its legislative body.

Manchester's Board of Directors adopted a resolution for the exemption at its Nov. 1 meeting. It was adopted as a pilot for this year, and the town will reevaluate the program in September 2023.

The exemption is available for the 2021 grand list to veterans who apply to the Office of Assessment and are deemed qualified before Dec. 31. The application is available on the town's website, and hard copies can be found at the Office of Assessment and Collection in Town Hall, 41 Center St.

Proof of income for the prior calendar year is required before an application can be accepted. Such proof can include bank statements, tax returns, and Social Security Administration statements.

Director of Assessment and Collection John Rainaldi said the office would begin processing applications in early 2023.

"Once we collect all the applications and review them, (applicants) will be notified by mail," Rainaldi said.

Rainaldi said the exemptions would be applied retroactively to the 2021 grand list, whether to an unpaid balance, a credit on an account, or as a refund.

"It would be credited one way or another," Rainaldi said.

Rainaldi said there is no cap on the number of applicants that can be approved.

"Whoever qualifies, qualifies," Rainaldi said.

Mayor Jay Moran said approving the tax exemption was a "no-brainer," especially with inflation driving costs for all residents.

"It's a way of saying thank you, that's the bottom line ... we celebrate Veterans Day, but we should be taking care of veterans all year long," Moran said.

Joseph covers Manchester and Bolton for the Journal Inquirer.