Last night, the RTM approved 1st Selectman Jim Marpe’s tax relief deferment program.
The program — worked out with the help of a number of town officials — acts as an extended grace period on tax payments for Westport taxpayers suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Eligible taxpayers can utilize the program for their April and July tax bills on real estate, personal property, motor vehicles and sewer assessments.
Payments made any time within 3 months from each bill’s due date will not incur interest charges or penalties.
Applications for the deferment program must include one of these hardships:
- Household has suffered a reduction in income of at least 20 percent due to COVID-19.
- Business or nonprofit revenue from March, 2020 to June, 2020 is expected to be reduced by at least 30 percent compared to the same time last year.
- For landlords: Income is significantly reduced.
The tax deferment program does not forgive tax payments. Late penalties will apply retroactively, at 18% annually or 1.5% per month.
Applicants must submit documentation. Deadlines are May 22 for April 1 taxes, and July 1 for July 1 taxes. Click here for the form, and other information.
Because Town Hall is closed to the public, residents with questions should call 203-341-1147 or email TaxRelief@WestportCT.Gov.
NOTE: Banks and mortgage services that hold tax payments in escrow must continue to pay the town when the taxes are due, even if the homeowner participates in a moratorium on mortgage payments.
This is another example of the outstanding leadership that Jim Marpe and Jen Tooker are providing the citizens of our town in these difficult times.
Pete Wolgast
I truly hope it will help people as long as they realize by July 2 nd they will have to pay April ‘s taxes to avoid a penalty and by July 31 the first payment of the new fiscal year is due .True one can defer again to October but then it’s the same scenario of two payments in 30 days to avoid penalty fees.
I wish all well
What the hell good is a “deferment?” It simply pushes the mandated responsibility down the road…in fact, folks who find it difficult NOW because of the Virus, will likely find it MORE difficult three months from now and etc….I don’t get it….but then, again, I ain’t the brightest bulb on the Home Depot shelf.