AppealDesk

Hartford County Property Tax Appeal — Connecticut

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Hartford County has one of Connecticut's highest property tax burdens, with a median effective property tax rate of 3.54%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. The county's median home value is approximately $336,650 in South Glastonbury, with a median annual property tax bill of $6,221.50, which is $3,498 higher than the national median of $2,400. The county seat is Hartford, and major population centers include West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, and Enfield, with each municipality maintaining its own assessor's office responsible for establishing property values. Property tax appeals matter particularly here because the high tax burden means even modest assessment reductions can result in substantial savings for homeowners.

Notable cities: Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Enfield, New Britain, Bristol

Median Home

$336,650

Tax Rate

3.54%

Annual Tax

$6,222

Population

approximately 900,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: February 20, 2026

Connecticut statute requires property tax appeals to be filed with the Board of Assessment Appeals by February 20, 2026, unless the municipality extends the deadline to March 20, 2026.

Property in Hartford County, Connecticut — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Hartford County Assesses Property

70%of market value

Assessed by: Municipal Assessor's Office (each town/city has its own)

Assessment cycle: quinquennial (every five years)

Notices typically mailed: November-December following revaluation

In Connecticut, property is assessed at 70% of its fair market value. If your home's market value is $336,650 (Hartford County's median in South Glastonbury), at Connecticut's 70% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $235,655, resulting in approximately $8,342 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 3.54%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Assessment Appeals. The Board of Assessment Appeals hearing is informal and non-judicial, typically lasting 10-15 minutes where you present evidence supporting your property value claim.

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Step 1: Once you receive your change-of-assessment notice (November-December), review it carefully and consider meeting informally with the assessor to discuss the new value

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Step 2: Complete the Board of Assessment Appeals form fully and sign it, including any supporting documents such as recent appraisals, market analyses, or comparable sales data

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Step 3: File your written appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals by February 20, 2026 (or March 20 if extended by your municipality)

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Step 4: Attend your hearing before the Board of Assessment Appeals in March or April, where you'll have 10-15 minutes to present your case with comparable property examples, appraisals, or evidence of property characteristics

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Step 5: If dissatisfied with the Board's decision, you may appeal to Connecticut Superior Court within two months of receiving the Board's notice

Required form: Appeal forms are typically available on the municipality's website and through the tax assessor's office

Filing Methods

online:Check your municipality's website for online filing options
mail:Mail completed appeal form to your town/city assessor's office
in-person:Submit at your municipal assessor's office during business hours
email/fax:Some municipalities accept emails and faxes received by the deadline

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property sales dataRecent property appraisalsPhotos showing property conditionEvidence of property defects or needed repairsMarket analyses

Hartford County Assessor Contact

Hartford County Municipal Assessor Offices (varies by town/city)

Phone: Hartford: (860) 757-9000; East Hartford: (860) 291-7260; West Hartford: (860) 561-7414

Address: Contact your specific municipality - Hartford: 550 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103; East Hartford: 740 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108; West Hartford: 50 South Main Street, Room 142, West Hartford, CT 06107

Website: https://www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/Assessor

Online Portal: Varies by municipality - check your town/city website

Hours: Typically Monday-Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Friday: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (varies by town)

Tax Exemptions in Hartford County

Veterans Exemption

Varies by municipality and service period

Property tax exemptions are available to qualified veterans who served during certain conflicts, certain survivors of deceased veterans, and active duty members

Eligibility: Discharged veterans with qualifying serviceDeadline: Contact assessor's office for specific dates

Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief

$1,000 exemption for disabled; varies for elderly programs

Connecticut law provides annual tax relief payments for certain elderly and disabled homeowners, with municipalities providing a $1,000 property tax exemption for qualifying disabled homeowners

Eligibility: Must be eligible for permanent total disability benefits or be income-eligible elderly homeowners (some programs for those 70+ years old)Deadline: Between February 1 and May 15 for taxes due July 1

Blind Persons Exemption

Varies by municipality

Exemptions are available to persons who are legally blind

Eligibility: Must be legally blind as certified by appropriate medical authorityDeadline: Contact assessor's office

Additional Municipal Programs

Varies by municipality

Cities and towns may offer additional tax relief programs to income-eligible elderly and totally disabled homeowners, including special programs for homeowners 70+ years old

Eligibility: Income-eligible elderly (65+ or 70+) and disabled homeownersDeadline: Varies by program and municipality

Official Resources

Connecticut Judicial Branch - Property Tax Appeals Information →

Official state resource with links to statutes, OLR reports and information about appealing tax assessments

Hartford City Assessor's Office →

Hartford's official assessor website with forms, exemption programs, and contact information

East Hartford Assessor's Office →

East Hartford's assessor portal with property information, exemption programs, and appeal procedures

West Hartford Assessment Department →

West Hartford's assessment office website featuring online property records, tax relief programs, and Board of Assessment Appeals information

Check Your Hartford County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Hartford County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Hartford County?
The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Hartford County is February 20, 2026, which is the statutory deadline for filing with your local Board of Assessment Appeals. However, some municipalities may extend this deadline to March 20, 2026. You should check with your specific town or city assessor's office to confirm whether they have extended the deadline. It's critical to take action early and not wait until the last minute, as gathering supporting documentation and preparing your case takes time.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Hartford County online?
Appeal forms are typically available on your municipality's website and through the tax assessor's office. Some Hartford County municipalities accept emails and faxes received by the deadline, making it possible to file electronically. Since each town in Hartford County maintains its own assessor's office, you'll need to visit your specific municipality's website to find their online filing options. For example, West Hartford accepts email submissions to WHAssessment@https://WestHartfordCT.gov, while East Hartford can be reached at Assessor@https://easthartfordct.gov. Check your town's assessor webpage for specific online filing instructions and requirements.
What happens at a Board of Assessment Appeals hearing in Hartford County?
The Board of Assessment Appeals hearing in Hartford County is an informal, non-judicial proceeding where you'll typically have 10-15 minutes to present your case. During this time, you may present comparable property examples, appraisals, or evidence of unusual property characteristics that affect value. Even if you didn't provide supporting evidence with your initial appeal form, you can bring and present such information at the hearing. The Board, usually composed of three local members, will review your evidence and arguments before making a decision about whether to adjust your property's assessed value.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Hartford County?
With Hartford County's median annual property tax bill of $5,898 and an effective tax rate of 3.54%, even a modest reduction in your assessed value can lead to significant savings. For example, if your home is overassessed by $50,000, you could save approximately $1,770 per year in property taxes. Since the assessment established during a revaluation is used for the next five years, a successful appeal in the first year after revaluation could save you nearly $9,000 over the five-year period. The exact savings depend on your property's specific overassessment amount and your municipality's mill rate.
What evidence do I need for a Hartford County property tax appeal?
For a successful Hartford County property tax appeal, you should provide supporting documents such as recent appraisals, market analyses, or comparable sales data. The Board will consider comparable property examples, professional appraisals, or evidence of unusual property characteristics that affect your home's value. Photos showing property defects, repair estimates from contractors, and documentation of any errors on your property record card (such as incorrect square footage or features) are also valuable. In Superior Court appeals, you'll typically need expert testimony from a real estate appraiser to substantiate your claimed value.
Can I still appeal if I missed this year's February deadline in Hartford County?
Yes, Connecticut law allows most taxpayers to challenge their assessments annually if they have not previously appealed. If you missed the February 2026 deadline, you can still file an appeal in February 2026 to achieve up to four years of tax savings. Keep in mind that the resolution of a tax appeal sets your property value until the town's next revaluation, so while you miss out on one year of potential savings, you can still benefit for the remaining years of the revaluation cycle. The first year after a revaluation offers the greatest potential tax savings, but appealing in subsequent years is still worthwhile if you believe your property is overassessed.
What special rules apply to commercial properties over $1 million in Hartford County?
For commercial or industrial properties assessed over $1 million in Hartford County, the Board of Assessment Appeals may decline to hear the appeal, effectively denying it without a hearing. In this situation, property owners may appeal directly to Superior Court without appearing before the BAA. Additionally, under 2022 revisions to Connecticut statutes, if a court appeal involves an assessment over $1 million, the property owner must file an appraisal with the court within 120 days of commencing the appeal, unless the court extends the deadline for good cause. This requirement emphasizes the importance of hiring an experienced appraiser early in the process.

For state-wide appeal information including Connecticut's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Connecticut Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Connecticut Counties

Fairfield County (Bridgeport)New Haven County (New Haven)
← All Connecticut property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.ownwell.com/trends/connecticut/hartford-county | https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/experts-corner-why-ct-property-owners-should-prepare-now-for-2026-tax-assessment-appeals/ | https://www.harrisbeachmurtha.com/insights/reminder-appeal-connecticut-real-property-tax-assessment-by-feb-20/ | https://www.hartfordct.gov/Government/Departments/Assessor | https://www.easthartfordct.gov/assessor | https://www.westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/assessment

Last verified: 2026-02-16