General Tax Information

1. THE CITY HAS IMPLEMENTED NEW HOURS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 27, 2023:
   mONDAY-tHURSDAY 8:00 AM TO 4:30 PM
   FRIDAY 8:00 AM TO 1:30 PM

2. All delinquent motor vehicle and business personal property taxes have been referred to NCC (Nationwide Credit Corporation) for collections.  You may receive a letter and/or a text message from them.  If you have any questions, please call the Tax Office at 860-584-6270 for assistance.

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1. 1. 1. NEWS RELEASE

         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Bristol, CT) December 15, 2025

         REMINDER: JANUARY TAX INSTALLMENT DUE

         City of Bristol Tax Collector, Ann Bednaz, announced this week that the second installment of real estate and personal property taxes on the Grand List of October 1, 2024 are due and payable on January 1, 2026. All tax bills become delinquent after February 2, 2026.

         “Please check your July bill for the Second Installment coupon for Real Estate and Personal Property taxes and use that coupon to send your January payment,” said Bednaz. “It is important to know that the Tax Department does not rebill for the second installments.”

         In order to be in compliance with the CT General Statutes, owners of Motor Vehicles which were registered after October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, are also notified that they are liable for a tax on such motor vehicles on the City’s Supplemental 2024 Motor Vehicle Grand List. These bills will be mailed out December 31, 2025. This tax is due and payable as of January 1, 2026; delinquent after February 2, 2026.

         “Tax bills may also be paid in person at any M & T Bank Branch starting January 2, 2026 through February 2, 2026,” said Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu. “The branch does not have to be in Bristol, but they can only accept tax bills that are current. Those who want to pay at a M & T Bank or branch need to bring their current tax coupon along with payment of Cash or Check. There is no fee for this service and is available during the January collection month.”

         The Tax Department only accepts payments by check or cash in person at 111 North Main Street, City Hall. We do not accept credit cards at the counter. The Tax Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday thru Thursday and 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Fridays.

         Taxpayers who would like to pay by credit card can do so online. There is a convenience fee that will be charged 2.95% of the bill by the Invoice Cloud service provider. If you choose to use EFT/ACH (using your checking account and routing number) there is a flat fee of $1.50 no matter the size of the transaction. “For people using major credit cards, this is a great way to earn points,” said Jennifer Cole, Deputy Tax Collector.

         Payments must be received or USPS postmarked on or before February 2, 2026 or they will be considered delinquent. Delinquent payments are subject to interest at a rate of 1.5% per month starting from the due date of January 1, 2026. The minimum calculated interest charge is $2.00 per CT State Statute Sec. 12-146.
         
         It is important to note that failure to receive a bill for any reason will not invalidate the tax and/or the interest penalty per CT State Statute Sec. 12-130 or avoid the real estate lien the City is required to file on the land records against all delinquent properties. Also of note, UCC Liens will be filed with the Secretary of State on all unpaid Personal Property taxes like business equipment. All delinquent Motor Vehicle taxes will be reported to DMV; this will hold you up from registering a new vehicle and renewing a registration.
         
         When taxes are not paid in full for each installment by the last day to pay, by state law, it becomes the duty of the Collector to proceed with collection enforcement measures, as prescribed by state statute.
         
         To avoid waiting in line, please mail payments to the Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 1040, Bristol, CT 06011-1040. The ENTIRE bill and a self-addressed stamped envelope MUST accompany the payment if a receipt is desired.
         
         For essential information regarding municipal taxes, to keep up with important deadlines or to make a payment, please visit the Tax Office Page at www.bristolct.gov.
         
         Please contact the Assessor’s Office at (860) 584-6240 if you have received a bill for a vehicle that you no longer have and for questions regarding assessments and exemptions.
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      2. If you own property in town and do not escrow with a bank or mortgage company and did not receive a tax bill, or need any information, please call our office at 860-584-6270.  If you have an escrow account and the real estate tax bill was sent to you, please forward the bill to your bank. In accordance with CT State Statute Sec 12-173 liens will be placed on all outstanding real estate taxes.  These liens will be placed on the City of Bristol Land Records March 2026 for the Grand List 2024. NEW REAL ESTATE OWNER’S: You may be responsible for a tax payment (usually the second installment that is due in January) and we do not send out bills for the Second installment.  The entire bill is mailed in July to the owner of record as of the previous October 1.  It is your responsibility to request a bill at the time of the closing, please consult with your Attorney. Payments must be received or USPS postmarked by “Delinquent after date” referenced on bill or they will be considered delinquent. Failure to receive a bill for any reason will not invalidate the tax and/or the interest penalty per CT State Statutes Sec. 12-130. 
         
         
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      4. DMV clearances ARE NOW ONLY DONE ELECTRONICALLY, PER DMV’S SYSTEM. If you fail to pay your taxes on time and allow them to become delinquent, it will take between 48 to 72 hours for your name to be cleared at DMV via electronic file. FILES ARE SENT TO DMV AT THE END OF EVERY BUSINESS DAY AND WE CANNOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASE YOU!

         
         

         You will NOT be able to register/renew on the same day you pay delinquent taxes. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL LAST MINUTE TO PAY YOUR DELINQUENT TAXES. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY! Delinquent Taxes: In an attempt to collect outstanding motor vehicle, motor vehicle supplemental and personal property taxes owed, the city may contract with outside vendors which will provide an additional means for the city to enforce collections and may report delinquencies to Collection Agencies.  Additional fees will be incurred.  As of November 2020, NCC (Nationwide Credit Corporation) has been contracted to collect delinquent prior years.  Please contact them directly at 571-458-1207 to discuss payment plans and/or to make payment in full. Anyone who thinks they owe delinquent motor vehicle taxes should click on the "Make a Payment" link and search by name.  Any delinquent payments made shall be in the form of cash, bank check, or money order in person at the counter. Credit card payments are only accepted online, but a processing fee will be charged. Note: All motor vehicle taxes in your name must be paid in order to register any vehicle in the State of Connecticut.  All delinquent Motor Vehicle taxes have been reported to DMV; this will hold you up from registering a new vehicle or renewing a registration and must be paid in full before being Electronically released during the nightly reporting. THERE WILL BE NO IMMEDIATE RELEASES. Personal Property (Business) Taxes:  UCC Liens will be filed with the Secretary of State on all unpaid personal property (business) taxes.
         
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