Tax Relief - Exemptions

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Tax Relief

TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS CITY OF MERIDEN

The City of Meriden Assessor’s Office administers tax relief programs for both the State of Connecticut and City of Meriden.  Tax relief can be reflected as a reduction in an assessment or a tax credit.  All programs will assist the resident in reducing their tax bills.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT HOMEOWNER’S TAX RELIEF

The State Homeowner’s program provides for a tax credit that reduces the real estate bill that the homeowner will have to pay. The program is income qualifying.  Income limits are set annually by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management.  An application demonstrating need must be made with the Meriden Assessor’s Office.

ELIGIBILITY (you are eligible to apply if you):  

  • Are the owner or hold a life estate of the property and occupy the property as your legal domicile as of October 1 of the immediately preceding calendar year.
  • Have reached the age of 65 by December 31 of the immediate preceding calendar year or are the surviving spouse (your age is 50-64) of a previous qualified application may also apply for benefits.
  • Are not age 65 and eligible to receive permanent total disability benefits under Social Security or a federal, state or local government disability plan. **Proof of disability is required  
  • Meet the qualifying income limits. Proof of income is required.
  • Applicants who have property in a trust must present a copy of the trust for eligibility
  • Owners of multifamily housing or partial ownership of a property will receive prorated tax relief
  • Reapplication every two years is required

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  • Applications are accepted between February 1 and May 15.
  • Applications can be made IN PERSON ONLY at the Meriden Assessor’s office Tuesdays, from 8:30am to 11:30am, and Thursdays, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
  • Proof of income must be provided at time of application.

INCOME

  1. Social Securitv benefit 1099 form(s) for previous calendar year
  2. Proof of income for previous calendar year

A complete copy of your filed Federal tax return, from the previous calendar year, (INCLUDING ALL YEAR END STATEMENTS) is mandatory.

If you are not required to file a tax return, the following information is necessary to determine your total income: rental income, bank interest, pension, stocks and bond dividends, and any other income received during the previous calendar year. Proof of income NOT reported for tax purposes must also be presented.

Individuals who are Social Security Disabled must also bring current proof of social security disability (TPQY/BPQY).

Tax Credits

Credits range from $150.00 to $1,200.00.  Credits will be adjusted based on income, marital status, and ownership.

Local Property Tax Relief Program

The City of Meriden tax relief program provides for a reduction of tax to eligible property owners. A qualifying property owner can choose between the Tax Credit (Abatement) Program or the Deferral Program.   Both programs are income qualifying.  Income limits are set in accordance with the city ordinance.  An application demonstrating need must be made with the Meriden Assessor’s Office.  Eligibility and process are the same for both programs.  Benefits received are further explained for each program below. 

ELIGIBILITY (you are eligible to apply if you):  

  • Are the owner or hold a life estate of the property and occupy the property as their legal domicile one year immediately preceding application.
  • The property shall not contain more than three living units.
  • Reached the age of 65 and your spouse has reached at least 60 years of age by December 31 of the immediate preceding calendar year.
  • If not age 65 you are eligible to receive permanent total disability benefits under Social Security or a federal, state or local government disability plan. **Proof of disability is required  
  • Has met the qualifying income limits. Proof of income is required.
  • Applicants who have property in a trust must present a copy of the trust for eligibility.
  • Tax relief shall not be granted if tax is past due.
  • The total amount of all credits given shall not exceed 75% of the total tax due.
  • Reapplication every two years is required

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  • Applications are accepted between February 1 and May 15.
  • Applications can be made IN PERSON ONLY at the Meriden Assessor’s Office Tuesdays, from 8:30am to 11:30am, and on Thursdays, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
  • Proof of income must be provided at time of application.

INCOME

  1. Social Securitv benefit 1099 form(s) for previous calendar year
  2. Proof of income for previous calendar year

A complete copy of your filed Federal tax return, for the previous calendar year (INCLUDING ALL YEAR END STATEMENTS) is mandatory. If you are not required to file a tax return, the following information is necessary to determine your total income: rental income, bank interest, pension, stocks and bond dividends, and any other income received . Proof of income for previous calendar year NOT reported for tax purposes must also be presented.

Individuals who are Social Security Disabled must also bring current proof of social security disability (TPQY/BPQY).

Tax Credits

Credits range from $150.00 to $750.000.  Credits will be adjusted based on income, marital status, and ownership. Owners of multifamily housing or partial ownership of a property will receive prorated tax relief based on the occupancy.  

Tax Deferral Program

Eligible property owners (same eligibility criteria as the Tax Abatement programs) will be permitted to defer payment of 50% of the total tax due. The deferred payment will be filed as a lien on the property and will have an annual interest rate of 7.75%. Deferred amounts shall cease and become payable (including interest) upon sale, death or transfer.  

Veteran’s exemptions

Base Veteran exemptions

All veterans who have served during a qualifying war period shall be eligible for the base veteran exemption.

  • Base exemptions $3,000 in assessment reduction
  • Available to honorably discharged veterans of Armed Forces who meet service date requirement.
  • Exemption can be applied to a property of legal residence/domicile or a motor vehicle owned/leased by resident
  • Increased base exemptions for those who have a service related disability. Service related disability award letter will need to be provided to the Assessor’s Office
  • All veterans will also need to file their discharge paperwork with the Meriden City Clerk. To complete the process all veterans will need to finalize paperwork with the Meriden Assessor’s Office.
  • Discharge paperwork and Service related disability documents needs to be filed with the City Clerk prior to October 1 to receive an assessment reduction on July 1. Example:  July 1, 2024 billing cycle, Discharge needed to be filed by September 30, 2023.
  • No reapplication is required.

State Additional Veteran Exemptions

The state addition veterans program allows a veteran to double the base exemption amount.   A veteran who qualifies by income can see their base exemption increase from $3,000 to $6,000.  

  • Shall have qualified under the base veterans program
  • Meet income qualifications
  • File an application with the Meriden Assessor’s Office between February 1 and September 30.
  • Reapplication every two years is required

Local Additional Veteran Exemptions

The local option veteran exemption programs allows qualifying veterans to receive an additional $5,000 exemption in addition to the base and or state increased benefit.  Example1: $3,000 base exemption plus $5,000 local option benefit= $8,000 in assessment reduction.

Example 2: $6,000 state additional benefit +$5,000 local option = $11,000 in assessment reduction.

  • Shall have qualified under the base veterans program
  • Meet income qualifications
  • File an application with the Meriden Assessor’s Office between February 1 and September 30.
  • Reapplication every two years is required

100% Disabled Exemption

Residents who have been determined to be 100% disabled may apply to receive a $1,000 exemption.   

  • Proof of eligibility required.
    • Disability award letter from federal, state or local government disability plan
  • Can be applied to either real estate or motor vehicle
  • Documentation of disability shall be filed with the Assessor’s Office on or before January 31. Example: July 1, 2024 billing cycle, Disability rating form filed with Assessor by January 31, 2024

Blind Exemption

Residents, who have been determined to be to have total and permanent loss of sight by a medical doctor, may apply to receive a $3,000 exemption.  

  • Proof of eligibility required.
    • Letter from a Medical Doctor
  • Can be applied to either real estate or motor vehicle
  • Documentation of disability shall be filed with the Assessor’s Office on or before October 1. Example: July 1, 2024 billing cycle, Disability rating form filed with Assessor by October 1, 2023

Residents may be eligible for multiple exemptions and/or tax relief.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide current information and updates to the office of the Assessor including changes of disability or marital status, ownership, income and/or residence.  Failure to report changes can impact benefits received or result in a revocation of benefits.