I N S T R U C T I O N S
As per CGS 12-63, the Assessor must determine the “present true and actual value” and in determining such value may use the accepted
methods of comparable sales, cost less depreciation and income capitalization.
Not all sections are applicable to every business. Please read the following instructions and complete all relevant sections.
Who Should File --
All owners of taxable personal property.
Declaration –
1. Owners of:
a. Non-Connecticut registered motor vehicles
b. Horses, ponies and thoroughbreds
c. Mobile manufactured home -not assessed as real estate
2. Businesses, occupations, farmers, and professionals
need to complete: (Commercial and cost information is not
open to public inspection )
Business Data (page 3).
Lessee’s Listing Report (page 4).
Disposal, Sale or Transfer of Property Report (page 4)
Taxable Property Information (pages 5-7).
Sign the Declaration of Personal Property Affidavit
on page 8.
3. Lessors need to complete: (Commercial and cost information
is not open to public inspection )
Business Data (page 3).
Lessor’s Listing Report (page 3)
Disposal, Sale or Transfer of Property Report (page 4)
Taxable Property Information (pages 5-7).
Sign the Declaration of Personal Property Affidavit
on page 8.
Filing Requirements –
1. The Personal Property Declaration must be filed annually on
or before November 1 (or the Monday following if November 1
falls on Saturday or Sunday) (CGS §12-42).
2. A Personal Property Declaration not filed will result in a value
determined by the Assessor from the best available
information (CGS §12-53b).
3. Declarations filed with “same as last year” are INSUFFICIENT
and shall be considered an incomplete declaration.
4. Pursuant to CGS 12-81(79) tangible personal property with an
original cost of not more than $250 and over 10 years old
is exempt. Detailed listings of such assets are reported on Page 4.
Reconcile such assets on Page 6.
Penalty of 25% is Applied –
1. When no declaration is filed or a declaration is not signed, a
25% penalty is applied to the assessment. [See 2. under
Filing Requirements.]
2. When declarations are submitted after November 1 [See 1.
under Filing Requirements] and an extension has NOT been
granted (see Extensions) a 25% penalty is applied to the
assessment. Returns mailed in must have a postmark (as
defined in C.G.S. Sec 1-2a) of November 1 [See 1. under
Filing Requirements] or before.
3. When an extension is granted (see Extensions) and the
declaration is not filed by the extension deadline, a 25%
penalty is applied to the assessment.
4. When omitted property is discovered, the 25% penalty is
applied to the difference in the assessed value as determined
by the results of the discovery and the assessment as
determined by the originally filed declaration.
Exemptions-
1. On page 7, check the box adjacent to the exemption you are
claiming.
2. Note that several exemptions require an additional application
in order to receive that exemption. Please request the form
number noted from the Assessor’s Office. The Manufacturers
Machinery & Equipment Exemption Claim form & its itemized
lists for Code 13 property may be requested if not included
with this declaration.
3. The extension to file the Personal Property Declaration, if
granted, may not apply to all required exemption applications
and may require a late filing fee. Check with the Assessor.
Signature Required –
1. The owners shall sign the declaration (page 8).
2. The owner’s agent may sign the declaration. In which case
the declaration must be duly sworn to or notarized.
3. Corporate officers signing for their corporations must have the
returns properly sworn to or notarized; or provide the
Assessor with a statement bearing the corporate seal and
signed by the corporate secretary setting out the office held by
the signer of the declaration and dates office held.
Extension –
The Assessor may grant a filing extension for good cause
(CGS §12-42 &12-81K ). If a request for an extension is
needed, you need to request the filing extension in writing
with the Assessor on or before November 2. As
sessor’s Office
Audit –
The Assessor is authorized to audit declarations, within 3
years of the date of the required filing. Substantial penalties
are applicable if such an audit reveals property not declared
as required by law (CGS §12-53).
Before Filing
Make Copies of Completed Declaration
for your Records
Example of how to complete the tables on pages 5 and 6
#16 - Furniture, fixtures and equipment
How should the following be declared?
Original cost, trans-
portation & installation
June 2019, you bought a desk for $800 and a chair
for $200. You have a filing cabinet and printer that
you bought 10 years ago for $2000 that is being used
in your business.
See the table to the right for the answer.
10-1-20
10-1-19
1000
900
10-1-18 80%
10-1-17
70%
10-1-16
10-1-15
10-1-14
Prior Yrs
2000
600
3000
1500
1500