Motor Vehicles

Motor Vehicle Prorate Policy

Motor Vehicle accounts are, not prorated between Connecticut towns during the same tax year. The motor vehicle, is taxed where it was registered on October 1 of that grand list year.

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes 12-71c(b) which states, “Any person claiming a property tax credit with respect to a motor vehicle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section for any assessment year shall, not later than the thirty-first day of December immediately following the end of the assessment year which next follows the assessment year in which such motor vehicle is so sold, damaged, stolen or removed and registered, file with the assessor in the town in which such person is entitled to such property tax credit, documentation satisfactory to the assessor concerning the sale, total damage, theft or removal and registration of such motor vehicle. Failure to file such claim and documentation as prescribed herein shall constitute a waiver of the right to such property tax credit.” 

The following chart may help illustrate this provision.                

Signed Proof

The Assessor’s office requires two forms of “proof” to remove a motor vehicle from the tax list. (Our records are audited yearly, and we are required to collect this documentation). Please see below, and refer to frequently asked questions brochure for more information: https://mansfieldct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1016/Motor-Vehicle-Frequently-Asked-Questions-PDF 

If a vehicle has been disposed of, sold, junked, or traded, and the plates have been cancelled with the Department of Motor Vehicles, signed proof (with manner of disposal) must be sent to the Assessor's Office  assessor@mansfieldct.org by the prescribed deadline noted above. 

Motor vehicle accounts are, prorated on a monthly (not daily) basis. 

Cancellation of Registration

Cancellation of registration must be made through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Save time and cancel online, https://portal.ct.gov/DMV, remember to print your cancellation receipt before exiting the portal. Plates do not need to be returned to DMV. 

Please Note, cancellation of registration alone is not enough; the vehicle must no longer be in your possession. Non-registered vehicles are taxable and must be declared as personal property each October.