23-24 Tax Bill questions
All tax bills have been mailed. The first quarter is due August 31st. Sewer charge bills were mailed August 29 & 30 with the first quarter due September 30.
Here are the answers to some FAQ's.
Q. Why am I being taxed at the Non-Homestead rate? Where is my tax credit?
A. If you filed your Homestead declaration on or before the April deadline and you are being taxed the Non-Homestead rate, you will want to follow up with your tax preparer to ensure they filed it for you or you can check directly with the state or online at http://myVTax.vermont.gov. If you have not received a property tax credit and you feel you should have, you would also need to contact your tax preparer and/or the state. If you filed after the April deadline, the state will update us (typically weekly) as they process the returns so you should see a revised bill in the coming weeks. We receive an electronic file that includes your homestead status and the amount, if any, of the credit. Once received, revised bills are then processed and mailed. If you are to receive a property tax credit, you will also receive a letter from the state notifying you of the amount. If you have not filed, you have until October to file new or correct. Note: you may receive a penalty for late filing, this will be shown on the revised bill. In addition, you MUST declare your homestead EVERY year. This is not a one and done situation. You will be charged the non-homestead rate if you do not file.
Q. My taxes are paid through escrow. Do I need to forward this to my mortgage company?
A. An electronic file is sent to a third party who then distributes the amounts to the proper institutions. It may be beneficial for you to call your mortgage company to be sure that they have received the information and to verify that it is the correct parcel id and amount.
Q. My taxes are paid through escrow. Why am I receiving a bill?
A. All property owners must be sent a tax bill regardless of payment status. You should verify that you are receiving the proper tax rate and notify the State of Vermont if you are not.
Q. I had my payments direct debited last year. Do I need to sign up again?
A. No, it is not necessary unless your banking information has changed. The information will be carried over from year to year. Keep in mind if you sell your property you will need to contact our office to remove your banking information. If you are not signed up and would like to, a form was included with your tax bill.
Q. I haven't received my taxand/or sewer bill yet.
A. Has your address changed? Tax bills were mailed on July 27, 28 & 31. Sewer charge bills were mailed August 29 & 30.
Q. I sold my property, why I am receiving a tax bill?
A. Tax bills are sent to the owners as of April 1st. Property sold after this date will remain in the current owners name until the next tax year. Transfers after April 1st and prior to the printing of tax bills may list both seller and buyers name. If you receive a tax bill and have sold please forward the bill to the new owner as noted on the tax bill.
Q. Taxes were paid at closing or through my escrow account. Why am I receiving a tax bill?
A. We are required to mail the tax bill to the owners of record on April 1st. Status of payment (other than a state payment) is not reflected in the tax bill.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out by phone (802-468-5319 x204), email (tax@castletonvt.org) or in person (263 Route 30 N, Bomoseen, VT).
Please note that we are experiencing high traffic and call volume. Response time is delayed as a result. We appreciate your patience.