CT HB05057

Municipalities may exempt horses and ponies of any value from property taxation by vote of their legislative body, effective October 1, 2014.

Farm machinery up to $100,000 in assessed value and horses/ponies used exclusively in farming are exempt from local property tax; municipalities may provide an additional $100,000 exemption for machinery by legislative approval.

Farmers must annually apply for exemptions by November 1st (or extended filing date) and certify at least $15,000 in gross sales or farming expenses from the prior taxable year.

Changes of ownership for farm, forest, open space, and maritime heritage land require new applications unless the transfer is excepted (such as transfers between spouses, by inheritance, or to nonprofits); excepted transfer recipients must notify the assessor.

Tax assessors must file certificates annually documenting classified land and the conveyance tax obligation; the ten-year assessment period for excepted transfers is measured from the original classification date or acquisition date, whichever is earlier.