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Collector
The Darien Tax Collector's Office provides billing and collection of real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer service charges, and special assessment billings. Taxes are billed and collected semi-annually on real estate and annually on motor vehicles, and personal property. Supplemental Motor Vehicle tax bills are due on January 1st and payable by February 1st. Sewer service charges are billed annually in October. If the original amount of the bill is $500 or more, the bill will be automatically split into two installments with the 1st being due October 1st and the 2nd April 1st. Otherwise the bill is due in full October 1st.
Please note the following: If you move, you are required to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Assessor's Office within 48 hours of the change. If you no longer own your vehicle, you should cancel your registration, return your plates to the nearest DMV office, and obtain a plate receipt from DMV. The plate receipt, or other proof of vehicle disposition, must be submitted to the Assessor's Office in order to delete or prorate any tax bill. If you are missing a tax bill, or we do not have your current address, please contact the Tax Collector's office. Failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the tax or interest due on the tax. Connecticut General Statutes do not grant Tax Collectors the authority to waive interest.
Delinquent motor vehicle taxes: If you require a DMV release, be aware that payment by credit and debit cards will take 3 business days; payment by check is 7 business days. If you need to be cleared faster than the aforementioned time frame, payment should be made in the Darien Tax Office by cash, money order, or certified check. Payment over the phone is no longer accepted.
- What do I own that is subject to taxes?
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Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes: Real Estate, Motor Vehicle, and Personal Property. Any land or buildings you own are considered real estate. Registered motorized or unmotorized vehicles, including cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles, are considered motor vehicles for tax purposes. Personal property is a general category that includes business equipment, machinery, furniture, and fixtures either owned or leased by the business. Unregistered motor vehicles are also taxed as personal property.
- When are Taxes Due?
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- Real Estate - Due semi-annually - July 1 and January 1
- Motor Vehicle Taxes - Due annually - July 1 (vehicles registered as of October 1)
- Supplemental Motor Vehicle Taxes - Due annually - January 1 (vehicles registered from October 2 through the following July 31)
- What is Darien’s mill rate for the Grand List Year 2022?
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17.61 mills ($17.61 for each $1,000 of assessed value)
- How is the tax (mill) rate established?
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The Grand Levy is the amount of revenue in the annual town budget, which must be raised by the property tax. The balance required is received from fees, state and federal assistance, and miscellaneous revenue. The Grand List is a listing of all taxable properties located within the Town of Darien on October 1 of the Grand List year. The property tax rate is expressed in mills or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 17.61 mills is equivalent to $17.61 of taxes per $1,000 of assessed value. The tax rate is determined by dividing the Grand Levy by the Grand List.
- When does my tax bill become delinquent?
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Taxes must be paid within one month of the due date to avoid penalty interest. Delinquent taxes are subject to interest at the rate of 18% per year (1 1/2% per month, $2 minimum), or any part thereof, from the original due date of the tax. Delinquent Motor Vehicle taxes will prevent you from registering any motor vehicle and/or boat until the outstanding taxes are paid in full (CGS 14-33) and the registration hold is cleared by the Tax Collector's Office. For information on your tax bill please call the Collector directly at 203-656-7314.
- What if I am delinquent on my real estate taxes?
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The tax office sends out a "Delinquent Tax statement" after each installment as a reminder. In addition, before the end of each fiscal year, real estate liens are filed against all properties on which there is a delinquent real estate tax. At least fifteen days prior to the filing of these liens, a notice of intent to lien is sent to each delinquent taxpayer. If payment is not made, a lien is filed with the Town Clerk's office. There is a $24 charge to release each lien, regardless of the delinquent amount due. At the time of payment, all interest, taxes, and fees must be paid before the lien can be released.
- Can the Tax Collector waive interest?
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No. Per State, Statute 12-146, a Tax Collector does not have the authority to waive interest due on a delinquent tax.
- What if my real estate taxes are no longer escrowed?
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The taxpayer is responsible for notifying the Tax Collector's Office at 203-656-7314 that they are now responsible for paying the taxes directly and accordingly, any reminders or notices will be sent directly to the taxpayer rather than the escrowing bank. Failure to notify the Tax Collector's Office may result in missed notifications or interest and/or penalties that can not be waived as per CGS 12-146.
- What if I am living overseas?
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Please notify the Tax Collector's Office and provide an email that can be used to send tax bills and reminders. This information is best to be emailed to the tax collector directly.
In-Person
Payments may be delivered to the Tax Collector's Office, Room 104, Darien Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road, Darien CT during regular office hours:
Monday through Thursday
8 am to 5:15 pm
Fridays
Closed
Online
Go to the Darien Connecticut website.
Click on: "How Do I?", "Submit", "View/Pay Tax & Sewer Bills", "Proceed to Site", "I Agree", follow remaining prompts. A non-refundable fee is charged for this service as detailed below:
- ACH (Electronic) Check - $1.50
- Credit Card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover) - 2.5% with a $2 minimum
- Debit Card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover) $3.50 flat fee
Fee Charges
- Reprint of Tax Bill - $2 Per Bill
- Return Check Fee - $20
- Delinquent MV Fee - $3
- Collection Fee - 15%