Free Tax Help Available

Klarides Sisters Renew Call to Provide Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans

HARTFORD - House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and her sister State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria are continuing to fight to pass legislation that helps disabled veterans.

 

House Bill 5231 will allow municipalities, with their legislative body's approval, to freeze property taxes on homes owned by certain disabled veterans and their spouse or surviving spouse.  To be eligible, the veteran must have a service-connected disability and either the veteran or spouse must have lived in Connecticut for at least one year.

 

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said, "In these difficult economic times, we are aware that municipalities are struggling financially. That is why this bill was written to provide towns and cities an option to offer this opportunity rather than mandate it."

 

Rep. Klarides continued, "Veterans who are injured as a result of their service live on fixed incomes and freezing their property taxes will help make living in our state more affordable."

 

Rep. Klarides-Ditria added, "Letting our local governments decide to freeze taxes for disabled veterans is something they should be allowed to do. Disabled veterans deserve this tax relief, and I will continue to fight to get this legislation passed."

 

The Veterans' Affairs Committee passed this legislation unanimously. Before the bill can become law it must pass both the House and Senate.

 

(This is a press release from Spencer Rubin, State of CT House Republicans)

TEAM Seeks Volunteers for Free Tax Preparation Service

DERBY-  TEAM, Inc.,  is seeking volunteers to assist low-income families and individuals in filing their taxes and claiming refunds owed to them, such as federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) that can boost their yearly income by up to 35 percent.  The TEAM VITA program is held at the VITA Clinics located at TEAM Derby, Derby Neck Library and the Milford Senior Center and operates from January 29 to April 16, 2018.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to low-income individuals and families.  No experience is necessary.  All volunteers will receive training appropriate for their position.  Volunteers receive the materials for self-study on basic income tax law for federal and state returns.  In addition, training sessions will take place in January 2018. 

To become a VITA Volunteer and to learn more about the program, a VITA  Information Session will be held on Monday, October  30, 2017, 5:00 p.m. at TEAM, 30 Elizabeth Street, Derby , CT.  Please call (203) 736-5420 ext. 202 or email spaytas@teaminc.org to reserve a seat.

TEAM Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. TEAM programs impact the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Naugatuck, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, Waterbury and Woodbridge.           

(This is a press release from TEAM)

Derby City Hall Hours Update

DERBY - The following announcement is from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

 

Good Afternoon,

 

As the summer begins and Real Estate, Motor Vehicle, and Personal Property Taxes are payable by August 1, 2017, we wanted to remind all Derby residents and customers of Derby City Hall of our current regular hours of operation that have been in effect since January 1, 2017.  They are as follows:

 

Monday                       8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday                       8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday      8:30 am to 5:00 pm

 

Thursday                     8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Mayor Anita Dugatto’s open office hours from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm every Thursday.

 

Friday                          8:30 am to 12:30 pm

 

A reminder that Derby City Hall will be closed on Tuesday July 4, 2017 in observance of Independence Day.

 

Have a great summer. 

 

Marc J. Garofalo, MPA, CCTC

Town / City Clerk

State Rep. Gentile Discusses Budget

Wednesday June 8, marked the official end of the regular 2017 legislative session. But there is still work to be done.

 

The legislature will now go into special session to discuss and approve of a two-year state budget. 

 

Passing a bipartisan budget has always been my hope. Regardless of political party, the legislature needs to go into special session with a sense of urgency and pass a responsible budget that helps strengthen our state and local economies, and reflects the priorities of the people of Connecticut. I don’t believe that failure to agree upon a responsible budget is an option.

 

Good ideas are not exclusive to a political party. I am hopeful that my colleagues across the aisle will drop all political campaign rhetoric, and work in a collaborative manner to meet the challenges we all face.

 

I truly believe our future is stronger when both parties work together, so it is my hope that we can put our political differences aside and talk openly and honestly about the budget and what needs to be done. 

 

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, have set the stage for Democrats and Republicans to come together to have these conversations.

 

And we must have these conversations and work towards a solution and agree on what’s best for the districts we represent, as well as the state.

 

When I walk into special session, I will continue to fight for a budget that will protect hardworking families, hospitals, and education, not only in the 104^th District, but for the State of Connecticut, as well. I will fight for a budget that promotes job growth and encourages economic development. And, I will fight for a budget that ensures our tax dollars are being spent as efficiently as possible. 

 

This is about forging a path for a stronger Connecticut, with policies that work for all of us. I will be working with all of my colleagues to accomplish this. I hope that we will all come into special session ready to work together to put forth a responsible budget that reflects the priorities of our districts and our state.

 

Rep. Gentile, a Democrat, represents the 104th House District, which includes parts of Ansonia and Derby.

 

(This is a press release from Gentile's office)

Ansonia lowers taxes for 2nd year in a row

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
ANSONIA >> Residents will get a break on their taxes for a second year in a row, thanks to the Board of Aldermen Tuesday unanimously approving a $62.4 million budget for fiscal year 2015-16.
“Since I was elected I made lowering taxes a mandate,” said Mayor David Cassetti. “This is an historic moment for the City of Ansonia, approving a budget with back to back tax reductions.”
The budget will go into effect July 1, the start of the city’s new fiscal year. It includes a 1-mill reduction to the city’s tax rate, which the aldermen also unanimously set on Tuesday at 37.52 mills.

Read more here. 

Gentile urges use of free IRS services

HARTFORD -State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, encourages constituents to take
advantage of free tax preparation services available through the Free File program. 
Every taxpayer with a 2013 Adjusted Gross Income of $58,000 or less may visit www.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost.
 
Free File is made possible through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a coalition of industry-leading tax software companies. 
Since its inception in 2003, the program has offered 70 percent of taxpayers free access to leading commercial tax preparation software from Free File Alliance member companies. Free File has already saved taxpayers an estimated $1.2 billion in filing costs.

“Since Tax Day is quickly approaching, I encourage taxpayers making $58,000 or less to take
advantage of the free tax services available from the IRS and Free File Alliance by visiting
www.IRS.gov/freefile,” Gentile said. “Anyone can use Free File to electronically file a tax return or, if necessary, submit an extension – giving themselves an extra six months to prepare and file a
federal tax return. If you don’t have access to a computer, some are available at the local public
library.”
IRS Free File is available at www.IRS.gov/freefile, which provides a list of Free File Alliance
member companies and their free tax software offerings. Users may either choose the company that fits their needs or utilize the “Help me Find Free File Software” tool. 
After selecting a company, users will be transferred to the company's website to prepare, complete and electronically file their federal income tax returns. The service is also available in Spanish.

Free File also offers basic federal e-filing services with no income limitations. This basic e-filing
service, called Free File Fillable Forms, allows taxpayers who are familiar with tax law and need no
preparation assistance to complete.


This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Ansonia mayoral candidate responds to Della Volpe

By David Cassetti

Valley Independent Sentinel photo

Mayoral candidate

ANSONIA - We need accountability from City Hall. Unfortunately, the Mayor’s recent article blaming revaluation for Ansonia’s high tax debacle is anything but accountable.

Ansonia now carries the ninth highest tax rate in Connecticut.  Revaluation does not explain that away.

Every city and town in the state goes through revaluation.  Yet not every city and town finds themselves with the ninth highest tax rate— in this case, ninth highest out of 169 other cities and towns.

Revaluation is not an excuse for high taxes in any situation.  Lower property assessments do not cause higher taxes.  The total city budget determines the money to be raised from property taxes.

Ansonia saw a 7 percent increase in net taxes to be collected in 2013.  Net taxes increased by 6 percent last year.  These increases have nothing whatsoever to do with revaluation. 

Revaluation is also not an excuse for lack of preparation.  Revaluation is a process required by state law.  It is not performed by surprise. The Della Volpe administration has had since 2007 to plan for the next revaluation.  It could have planned for a phased in revaluation.  It did not.  In fact, net taxes increased by 10.3 percent in 2008!

The current administration dropped the ball with respect to bringing tax-paying businesses into town.  It dropped the ball on implementing real cost-saving solutions in time to avoid the mess we now face.
After 14 years, residents deserve more than excuses from City Hall. 

On Oct. 9, 2013 my team will unveil a “Game Plan” for Ansonia.  My plan contains no excuses.  Rather, it addresses Ansonia’s challenges with clear solutions.
These solutions include:
•    Implementation of a Cost Cutting Commission to work year-round on identifying cost savings for the city. 
•    Creation of a professional City Manager position to replace layers of expensive and wasteful bureaucracy in city hall.
•    Providing long overdue tax relief for senior citizens, reimbursable by state funds.
•    Formation of a task force to plan for the future of Ansonia’s former industrial sites.
•    Elimination of the unelected Board of Apportionment and Taxation via charter revision.

I am also in full support of the “Responsible Referendum” proposal brought forth by Republican Aldermen such as Charlie Stowe. That proposal, if passed, will allow residents to vote on net tax increases of 3 percent or more, thereby keeping City Hall accountable regardless of who holds office.

The time for excuses is over. Ansonia deserves a fresh start. 


This is a guest column.

Ansonia mayor addresses tax issues

By James Della Volpe

ANSONIA - As mayor of this community, I’d like to address our property tax concerns in Ansonia.

Why did my taxes go up this year?

Ansonia taxes increased for many people, including myself, primarily due to revaluation of real property. Also, the state contributed less funding in certain areas, which meant a loss of revenue, while the city increased its local commitment to our schools and police protection. 

What is revaluation?

Connecticut mandates municipal property revaluations every five years to measure and determine changes in property values. By law, municipalities must assess property for 70 percent of its fair market value, which is then taxed. 

How does it work?

Municipalities hire professional property appraisal firms to complete field inspections of all properties. Value is then determined using "generally accepted mass appraisal methods," which for residential properties includes comparing the recent sales of similar properties and determining how much it would cost to replace the home if it was damaged or destroyed. 

When was the last time Ansonia had a revaluation?

Prior to 2012, Ansonia's last property revaluation was performed in 2007 at the height of the real estate growth, which resulted in unusually high property assessments and protests from Ansonia's commercial sector.  

What happened this year?

As required by State mandates, Ansonia hired a professional property appraisal firm to inspect about 5,500 property parcels for the revaluation process. The city's total taxable assessment for real estate decreased by an average of 25 percent. The decrease was fairly uniform across the city, but multi-family houses lost more value than single-family homes. With all that said, the city still needs to raise a fixed amount of money in order to provide services to its citizens.

How do we move forward?

As Mayor of this fine community, I am instituting strong cost cutting measures including an annual municipal energy rate reduction of $380,000; water authority fire service reduction saving over $3 million over the next ten years; a $802,000 reduction, over four years, in cost saving reforms with municipal employee health, life and dental benefits.

I am also working with State and local officials to interconnect Derby’s water treatment plant with Ansonia, providing savings for our ratepayers from the state-mandated sewage treatment facility upgrade. 
Also moving forward, I am aggressively implementing a new economic development program to attract new business growth to Ansonia’s local economy and tax base, which will impact our Grand List, reducing the burden on our residents.

I encourage anyone who has additional questions to contact me directly at 203-736-5900.

This is a guest column.

Snow doesn't stop her smile

Elizabeth Harris of Ansonia, dressed as Lady Liberty, waves to passing motorists on Bridge Street, Ansonia Friday morning.
She stands outside of Liberty Tax offices, 48 Bridge St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays.

Harris said it's the first tax season she has worked as Lady Liberty and she's grateful to people who have brought her coffee and doughnuts over the past few weeks.

 "They say I always have a smile on my face," Harris said.

FRIDAY FIVE: A recap of this week in the Valley

These are five of the stories that made headlines this week in the Valley. They were written by Register reporters Phyllis Swebilius and Patricia Villers and Register Correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.
They are listed in no particular order.


OSHA cites company in fatal fall in Shelton.
 
State's attorney to investigate Ansonia tax office.

Seymour merchants glad parking attendant hired.

Separation deal for Derby tax clerk pending.

Derby addresses high sewer bills.

FRIDAY FIVE: A recap of this week in the Valley

These are some of the stories that made headlines in the Valley in the past week.

They are written by Register reporters Phyllis Swebilius and Patricia Villers, and correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich, and are listed in no particular order.


Documents shed light on Derby tax clerk investigation.

Shelton father denies paying teen to fight daughter's bully.

Ansonia tax office issues bring out critics.

Three named to Derby's Hall of Fame. 

Ansonia mayor fights blight, helps to tear down house.