Revenue Collector

Please Take Note!

Starting September 1, 2023

The Tax Office will be open on Thursday from

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

All other hours will remain the same. 

The Tax Office will be closed for training Wednesday, September 13th, 2023  and closing at 1:00 Mon, Tue, & Thur.

Sterling Revenue Collector Legal Notice 2023-2024 If you pay online, and need to be released from DMV, the release will happen during these hours.  Please plan accordingly, and we are sorry for the inconvenience.

Please pay online,  by cash or check.  Checks can be mailed, or you may drop them off into the secure drop box at the front of the Town Hall Entrance.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we truly hope you and your families stay safe and healthy during this stressful time.

Contact Information

Sandra Lisee – Revenue Collector Email: slisee@sterlingct.us Phone Number: (860) 564-2904 Ext 105 Fax Number: (860) 564-1660

Office Hours Monday & Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Fridays: Closed We do not close for lunch, please call ahead in inclement weather.

The Revenue Collector’s office mission is to assist in maintaining the fiscal stability of the Town by ensuring the timely collection and recording of all revenues through the diligent application of State Statutes, regulations and other enforcement aids, while assisting the public in understanding the taxation process and procedures and maintaining an effective and cordial relationship with the general public.

Have a question?  Please keep scrolling to see some frequently asked questions about taxes answered.

Mailing address for Revenue Collector only:
PO Box 1
Oneco, CT 06373-0001

Important DMV Tax Notification

 

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Legal Notice

Sterling Revenue Collector Legal Notice 2023-2024

 

Pay Your Taxes Online

You can pay your taxes online through the secure web site with a credit card, debit card or electronic check.

There is a fee charged for the use of this service which is applied at the time of your transaction.

Credit Cards: 2.5%, $2.00 Minimum

E-Checks: Flat fee of $2.00 on checks up to $10,000. $10 fee on anything over $10,000

If you have questions, please contact the Revenue Collector’s Office at 860-564-2904 Ext 105.

Note:  Water and Sewer bills can be paid through the secure web site. You will need the Bill Number or Unique ID Number to access your water or sewer bills.

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Sterling Fire District

The entire town of Sterling is in the Sterling Fire District, which collects its own separate taxes.  The Fire District Tax Collector is Karen Vincent, CCMC.  Phone # 860-564-0048.  Fax # 860-564-7491.  E-mail – Sterlingtax@atlanticbbn.net.  Office hours are every Wednesday 6 pm – 8 pm and the second Saturday of the month from 9 am – Noon.  The mailing address is 225 Main Street, Sterling, CT 06377-0117.

You can now pay your Fire District Taxes online! Just click here: Pay My Fire District Taxes

 

Sterling Public Water

All water payments must be separate from any tax payments. Please make checks payable to The Town of Sterling. The 2019 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report has been released click on the link that follows to read it.

2019 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TAXES
The following has been prepared to provide answers to some of the questions taxpayers most frequently ask about property taxes. Generally, questions concerning assessed value, adjustments, exemptions or credits, tax relief programs, and improper motor vehicle tax billings should be directed to the Assessors Office at (860) 564-2904 Ext 104. Questions about billings, tax balances due, amounts paid, delinquent taxes, and interest charged should be directed to the Revenue Collector’s Office, tel. (860) 564-2904 Ext 105

For more information, please continue reading, or contact the appropriate office.

Q: I recently bought (or sold) a house in Sterling, and I have a question about what I owe. What should I do? A: The property tax bills due in July may not reflect ownership changes recorded recently. If you recently purchased property in Sterling, and have not received a real estate tax bill, call the Revenue Collector’s Office immediately at (860) 564-2904 Ext 105, to request a copy. Or go to www.sterlingct.us and click the ‘Pay your taxes online’ feature to look your bill up on line (you can search by name or by address). Check with the Assessors’ Office to ensure their records have been updated. Payment must be made by August 1, whether or not a bill has been received! If you recently sold property in Sterling, and are still receiving a tax bill for the property, please contact the Assessor’s Office at (860) 564-2904 Ext 104.

Q: What do I own that is subject to taxes? A: Three types of property are assessed and subject to taxes: Real Estate, Motor Vehicle, and Business Personal Property. Any land or buildings you own are considered real estate. Registered motorized or unmotorized vehicles, (including cars, trucks, trailers and motorcycles) are considered motor vehicles for tax purposes. Business Personal property is a general category including business equipment, machinery, furniture and fixtures either owned or leased by business. Unregistered motor vehicles are also taxed as personal property.

Q: How is the tax rate established? A: The property tax rate is expressed in mills, or thousandths of a dollar. A tax rate (mill rate) of 31.94 mills equates to $31.94 in taxes per $1,000 of net assessed value. The Town of Sterling’s Board of Selectmen sets the mill rates annually in May as part of the municipal budget process. Motor Vehicles are charged the same rate.

Q: What are the office hours of the Tax Collector? A: The Revenue Collector’s Office, located in the Sterling Town Hall, is open Monday –Tuesday 8am – 4pm, Wednesday 8am -6pm, and Thursday, 8am. – 4pm. Closed on Fridays.  The office does not close for lunch.

Q: What is the best way to pay my tax bill? A: The most convenient way is by mail, or with your credit card. You can also visit the Town Hall when we are open. To pay by credit card, click on this link: https://www.mytaxbill.org/inet/bill/home.do?town=sterling Or call the office at 860-564-2904 Ext 105.  Please have your bill in front of you, and refer to the question and answer on paying by credit card (herein). If you wish to have a receipt returned to you, please send the entire lower portion of your tax bill (both payment coupons) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. You will receive a receipt back within a few days. We will not send back your receipt if you do not include a self addressed, stamped envelope.

Q: What happens if I pay late? A:  Any taxes received after the due date, are subject to interest. Motor Vehicle taxes that are late are also subject to a $5.00 fee. The best way to avoid extra fees is to pay on time.

Q: What if I never received a tax bill? A: Failure to have received a tax bill does not exempt you from payment of all taxes and all interest charges. If you do not receive a bill for which you are responsible, call the Revenue Collector’s Office at (860) 564-2904 Ext 105 and request a copy, or go to www.sterlingct.us, and click on the ‘Pay your taxes online’ feature to view your bill on line, or print a duplicate copy.

Q: Could I be eligible for any exemptions?  A: Exemption categories include Elderly, Veteran; Spouse of a deceased Veteran; Blind; Totally Disabled; Motor vehicle of a Serviceman or Servicewoman (active duty); Farmers; and Forest, and Farm. For details, or if you think you qualify, contact the Assessors Office at (860) 564-2904 Ext 104. Veterans’ & other exemptions, if any, appear in the total exemptions (“exempt”) column on your tax statement. There is also Renters Tax Relief, an income based State program for elderly or totally disabled renters.
For more information on any of these exemptions please visit the Assessor’s page at: https://www.sterlingct.us/departments/assessor/

Q: Can the interest on my tax bill be waived? A: No. The Revenue Collector does not have the authority to waive interest and makes no exceptions. As owners of property, taxpayers are responsible to see that taxes are paid when due.

Motor Vehicle/DMV Questions

Q: I am being improperly billed for a motor vehicle. What should I do? A: Contact the Assessor’s Office at (860) 564-2904 Ext 104. Do not ignore your bill! Even if your vehicle has been sold, and plates returned to DMV; stolen and not recovered; declared a total loss; or if you have moved from Sterling or moved from Connecticut. If any of these situations applies to you, you may be entitled to a credit. Contact the Assessors regarding the acceptable forms of proof . Two forms of written proof are required, and you must apply within a limited time.

Q: I need to register my car. What do I do?  A: If you owe delinquent property taxes on any vehicle in your name, you may not renew any registrations at the Department of Motor Vehicles without paying your property taxes first. All past due taxes in your name must be paid in full by cash, cashier’s check, money order, MasterCard, VISA, debit card, or ATM card for clearance. There is also a fee of $5 per name, per year for a motor vehicle clearance). All DMV clearances are processed within Town hall hours. So if you pay for your car on the weekend, you will have to wait until the Town Hall opens to release your vehicle. Please plan ahead so you are not disappointed at the DMV.

Q: I recently replaced a vehicle, and still got a tax bill on the old vehicle. Do I have to pay it? A: Yes. If you replaced one vehicle with another, and used the same license plates, you must pay on the “old” vehicle now. You will receive a pro-rated Supplemental motor vehicle tax bill in January, for the new vehicle. This bill will reflect a credit for the amount you paid the year before, on the old vehicle. You will receive this credit without having to apply for it. However, you still must pay the entire amount due on the old vehicle in July. However – if you obtained new license plates for the new vehicle, you must apply for a credit. Contact the Assessors Office at (860) 564-2904 Ext 104.

Q: I have moved. What is my tax jurisdiction for motor vehicle taxes? A: Your tax town is your town of residency as of October 1, 2021. If you moved from Sterling after October 1, 2021, but still resided in Connecticut, you will still pay vehicle taxes to Sterling. Municipalities do not apportion motor vehicle tax bills for portions of a tax year. If you registered the vehicle in another state, contact the Assessor’s Office. If you move, you are required to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address within 48 hours. Be sure that you request a change of address on your driver’s license and on your vehicle registration(s). Forms for this are available on line at the DMV web site, at the Revenue Collector’s Office, or at any municipal Police Department.

Q: What is a “supplemental” motor vehicle tax bill? A: If you newly register a motor vehicle after October 1 (first time registration), you will receive a pro-rated tax bill in January. This “supplemental” bill will reflect the time from the month the vehicle was first registered, through September only.

If your question is still unanswered, please call 860-564-2904 Ext 105 during Town Hall Hours.

Please remember that the Revenue Collector pays taxes too!