The Assessor’s office administers all state and local option exemption programs that affect tax bills. The list of available exemptions includes:
Veterans of any declared war period and current active duty military having not previously filed for an exemption must provide an original or certified copy of their Honorable Discharge or current orders or affidavit to the Suffield Town Clerk by September 30 to be eligible for a minimum exemption of $3,000 deducted from the assessed value of real estate or a motor vehicle. Each current member of the United States armed forces (including reserves and National Guard) is also eligible for the exemption from taxes of one motor vehicle upon application.
Veterans with VA disability ratings must submit proof of the rating to the Assessor for an increased exemption benefit. Proof need be supplied once, unless the rating is changed. Disabled veterans age 65 or older are entitled to an exemption equal to that of a 100% disabled veteran upon providing proof of age to the Assessor.
Totally disabled property owners are eligible for a $1000 property exemption by filing their proof of total disability with the Assessor’s Office.
Blind property owners are eligible for a $3000 property exemption by filing their proof of blindness with the Assessor’s Office.
Farmers: Applications for an exemption of up to $100,000 on the assessed value of farm equipment must be filed with the Assessor by November 1. A farming operation is defined as an active agricultural concern from which is derived at least $15,000 in gross sales, or which incurs at least $15,000 in expenses related to such farming operation during the previous calendar year. There is also a $1,000 exemption on the assessed value of each horse or pony not used in a farming operation. Applications for these exemptions must be filed along with the personal property declaration on or before November 1.
Farm, Forest or Open Space Use Classification: New owners of real estate qualified as farm, forest or open space land must make application for the designation as such to the Assessor between September 1 and November 1 to be applicable on the current October 1 Grand List, which will be billed next July.
The Assessor’s Office is located in the temporary Town Hall, 61 Ffyler Place, and is staffed Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you have any questions, feel free to email ltrase@suffieldct.gov or call the office at 860-668-3866.