Middlefield offers COVID-related property tax relief

MIDDLEFIELD — The Middlefield Board of Selectmen recently adopted two programs for property tax relief during the COVID-19 pandemic as authorized by an executive order by Gov. Ned Lamont.

⏩ The tax deferment program is a temporary deferment (extended grace period) of tax collections for those eligible.

⏩ The interest rate reduction is a reduced, 3 percent interest charge for three months, instead of the normal 18 percent, according to a press release.

The tax deferment is only for eligible taxpayers, who must file an application with the tax collector no later than July 1 at 4 p.m. in order to qualify. The interest rate program does not require an application to be filed by the taxpayer, the release added. “I am very pleased that the Board of Selectmen adopted both programs that the governor authorized,” First Selectman Ed Bailey said in a prepared statement. “State statutes govern how taxes are collected by the town, but, during this state of emergency, the governor is empowered to issue executive orders that can override state statutes.”

The town’s rainy-day fund is allowing officials to meet the cash requirements during this period, Bailey added.

Residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations are eligible for the tax deferral program, according to tax collector Anne L. Olszewski.

For information, visit the “quick link” at middlefieldct.org or contact Olszewski at 860-349-7117 or tax1@middlefieldct.org.