Sec. 12-170w. Application for real property tax relief. Establishment of a lien.
Sec. 12-170w. Application for real property tax relief. Establishment of a lien.
(a) No claim shall be accepted under section 12-170v unless the taxpayer or authorized
agent of such taxpayer files an application with the assessor of the municipality in which
the property is located, in such form and manner as the assessor may prescribe, during
the period from February first to and including May fifteenth of any year in which
benefits are first claimed, including such information as is necessary to substantiate
such claim in accordance with requirements in such application. A taxpayer may make
application to the assessor prior to August fifteenth of the claim year for an extension of
the application period. The assessor may grant such extension in the case of extenuating
circumstance due to illness or incapacitation as evidenced by a physician's certificate
to that extent, or if the assessor determines there is good cause for doing so. The taxpayer
shall present to the assessor a copy of such taxpayer's federal income tax return and the
federal income tax return of such taxpayer's spouse, if filed separately, for such taxpayer's taxable year ending immediately prior to the submission of the taxpayer's application, or if not required to file a federal income tax return, such other evidence of qualifying income in respect to such taxable year as the assessor may require. Each such
application, together with the federal income tax return and any other information submitted in relation thereto, shall be examined by the assessor and a determination shall
be made as to whether the application is approved. Upon determination by the assessor
that the applying homeowner is entitled to tax relief in accordance with the provisions
of section 12-170v and this section, the assessor shall notify the homeowner and the
municipal tax collector of the approval of such application. The municipal tax collector
shall determine the maximum amount of the tax due with respect to such homeowner's
residence and thereafter the property tax with respect to such homeowner's residence
shall not exceed such amount. After a taxpayer's claim for the first year has been filed
and approved such taxpayer shall file such an application biennially. In respect to such
application required after the filing and approval for the first year the assessor in each
municipality shall notify each such taxpayer concerning application requirements by
regular mail not later than February first of the assessment year in which such taxpayer
is required to reapply, enclosing a copy of the required application form. Such taxpayer
may submit such application to the assessor by mail provided it is received by the assessor not later than March fifteenth in the assessment year with respect to which such tax
relief is claimed. Not later than April first of such year the assessor shall notify, by
certified mail, any such taxpayer for whom such application was not received by said
March fifteenth concerning application requirements and such taxpayer shall submit
not later than May fifteenth such application personally or for reasonable cause, by a
person acting in behalf of such taxpayer as approved by the assessor.
(b) Any person knowingly making a false application for the purpose of claiming
property tax relief under section 12-170v and this section shall be fined not more than
five hundred dollars. Any person who fails to disclose all matters relating thereto or
with intent to defraud makes a false statement shall refund to the municipality all tax
relief improperly taken.
(c) Any municipality providing property tax relief under section 12-170v and this
section may establish a lien on such property in the amount of the total tax relief granted,
plus interest applicable to the total of unpaid taxes represented by such tax relief, at a
rate to be determined by such municipality. Any such lien shall have a priority in the
settlement of such person's estate.
(d) Any such property tax relief granted to any such resident in accordance with
the provisions of section 12-170v and this section shall not disqualify such resident with
respect to any benefits for which such resident shall be eligible under the provisions of
sections 12-129b to 12-129d, inclusive, 12-129n and 12-170aa and any such property
tax relief provided under this section shall be in addition to any such benefits for which
such resident shall be eligible under sections 12-129b to 12-129d, inclusive, 12-129n
and 12-170aa.
(P.A. 06-176, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 06-176 effective October 1, 2006, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after that date.