FAQs • Middlefield, CT • CivicEngage

The DMV won’t allow me to register a Motor Vehicle, what do I do?

You will have to pay any outstanding taxes before you can register a vehicle:

To immediately release the tax hold, you need to come to the office and make a payment in cash. However, if there are outstanding taxes on other vehicles which you own or co-own, they must also be paid.
A check is accepted, however, you will have to wait 14 days for the check to clear. After it clears, the Tax Office notifies the DMV once a week who has paid.

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Tax Collector

Tax bills can be paid by mail, in person, or online by clicking the link above. Payment can also be dropped in the outside drop box at the front door of the Town Hall.
Middlefield does not allow for taxes to be paid with a credit card or debit card in person. Credit card, Debit card, and E-Check payments may only be made online using your own personal device or computer.

If paying in person: bring the entire bill with you.
If paying by mail: enclose the entire bill, a self-address stamped envelope, and your check.

The last day to pay is August 1 (for the bill due July 1) and February 1 (for the bill due January 1). If these dates fall on a Saturday or a Sunday, then the last day to pay is the Monday that follows.
If you mail your payment, a postmark on or before the last day to pay counts as being on time.
If you bank online, there is no documentation for your payment. Your payment may be considered late and interest will be charged accordingly because the State Statute requires a postmark.
If you drop it in the drop box at the front door of the Town Hall, it will be considered on time if the following business day is not past the due date.

4. What is my penalty if I pay my taxes late?: Taxes that are not paid on time will be subject to a $2.00 minimum or 1.5 % interest on the unpaid tax for each month the bill goes unpaid. §12-146

Real Estate liens by State statute (§12-175) must be placed with the Town Clerk no later than 2 years from the first due date.
In Middlefield, "Notice with Intent to Lien" notices are sent out at the beginning of March. It is for taxes that were due on July 1 of the previous year.
If taxes are not paid by the April due date, a Real Estate Lien will be filed with the Town Clerk.

It is your responsibility to call the office and get one. Reminder bills are not sent out.
Failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the bill or any interest that may accrue. §12-130

You must notify DMV within 48 hours so future bills can find you. Since taxes are in arrears you should also notify the tax office.
Motor Vehicle bills are based on any given October 1. For example: If you live in Middlefield on October 1 but move to Middletown on October 2, your tax bill is due in full to Middlefield. Failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the bill or any interest that may accrue. §12-130.

If you were or are in the military and think you should get an exemption, contact the Assessor at 860-349-7111.
If you are a senior and have questions about exemptions, contact the Assessor at 860-349-7111.

If you no longer escrow your taxes, it is your responsibility to notify the Tax Office and request a bill be sent to you.
Banks do not notify the office when they no longer have escrow for a particular property.

You will have to pay any outstanding taxes before you can register a vehicle:

To immediately release the tax hold, you need to come to the office and make a payment in cash. However, if there are outstanding taxes on other vehicles which you own or co-own, they must also be paid.
A check is accepted, however, you will have to wait 14 days for the check to clear. After it clears, the Tax Office notifies the DMV once a week who has paid.

11. I sold my car and transferred my plate, now what?: Don’t ignore a bill you get for a vehicle you no longer own. If you transfer plates from your old car to a new one then you pay the bills as they come. The “Motor Vehicle Supplement Bill” you receive in January will have a credit on it for the old vehicle.

12. Why I am still getting bills for a vehicle I no longer own?: If you turn the plates into the DMV, get a receipt. The Assessor will need that receipt to adjust your bill to reflect only the months you owned it. If you lost your DMV receipt, contact the Assessors’ Office to see what documentation is acceptable to prove you no longer own the vehicle.

13. Some of the information on my Motor Vehicle bill is incorrect?: The information on your bill comes directly from the DMV. You will need to correct any information with the DMV.