Bethel Offers Residents Coronavirus Tax Deferments

BETHEL, CT — The town is offering taxpayers the opportunity to delay payment of real estate, property and utility taxes, charges and assessments for 90 days, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker announced on the town website.

The deferment is in "recognition of the financial hardships brought on the by global COVID-19 pandemic."

The tax deferment program is open to all qualified residents, non-profits and businesses, including landlords. To qualify, taxpayers must attest that their income has decreased by at least 20 percent during the emergency period due to layoffs, furloughs, business closures or other factor related to COVID-19. Tax bills due Jan. 1, 2021 will each be eligible for the 90-day deferral

Residents must file their application for bills due Jan. 1 by Feb. 1, 2021, even if they have not received their bill. Failure to apply by Feb. 1, or an incomplete application, will result in failure to qualify for this tax deferment.

Any bill not paid by 90 days from the due date April 1, 2021 will be subject to interest of 1.5 percent per month back to the original due date of Jan. 1, 2021. The town will accept partial payments on all accounts.

Further instructions and an application form are available online here.