Connecticut Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Connecticut has 8 main property tax relief programs, administered through your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management). Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
Exemption of assessed value scaled to VA disability rating (reported as $2,000 at 10-25%, $2,500 at 26-50%, $3,000 at 51-75%, $3,500 at 76-100% or for veterans 65+ with at least a 10% rating); an additional $5,000 or $10,000 for specified severe service-connected disabilities
Earliest common deadline
May 15
Not sure what you qualify for? Take the 2-minute screener →
Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management). You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management) directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Connecticut property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elderly and Totally Disabled Homeowners (Circuit Breaker) Tax Relief ProgramSenior (65+) | State-reimbursed credit against property tax; up to $1,250 for married couples and up to $1,000 for single persons, on a graduated income scale | Age 65+ · Applicants under 65 qualify if totally disabled and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits (proof via SSA-1099, TPQY, or SSA award/benefit verification letter). · Income: Set annually by OPM. For the current (2024 income year) program, qualifying income may not exceed $45,200 for unmarried persons and $55,100 for married couples; limits are adjusted annually, so verify the current figure with OPM or the local assessor. · Must own and occupy the Connecticut property as a primary residence. | May 15 | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 12-170aa, 12-170bb, 12-170ccForm M-35H (Taxpayer Application) |
| Renters' Rebate for Elderly/Disabled Renters Tax Relief ProgramRenter Relief | Rebate up to $900 for married couples and up to $700 for single persons, on a graduated income scale | Age 65+ · Renters aged 18+ qualify if eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. A surviving spouse aged 50+ of a previously qualified renter may also qualify. · Income: For the current (2024 income year) program, qualifying income may not exceed $45,200 if unmarried or $55,100 if married; limits are adjusted annually. · One-year Connecticut residency requirement; must be a renter (not a homeowner). | September 30 | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 12-170d, 12-170e, 12-170f, 12-170g, 12-170hForm M-35r (Taxpayer Renter's Rebate Application) |
| Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Basic)Veteran | $1,000 reduction in assessed value | Connecticut resident; must file honorable discharge (DD-214) with the town clerk to establish eligibility. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-81(19) |
| Additional Veterans' Tax Relief Program (Income-Based)Veteran | Additional exemption of up to 200% of the local (basic) veterans' exemption for income-qualified veterans | Income: Income-tested; qualifying income limits are set annually under CGS 12-81g and are comparable to the elderly homeowners program. Verify the current figure with OPM or the local assessor. · Connecticut resident who qualifies for the basic veterans' exemption. | October 1 | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 12-81f, 12-81g, 12-81lForm M-59a (Taxpayer Application) |
| Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (by Disability Rating)VeteranVerify locally | Exemption of assessed value scaled to VA disability rating (reported as $2,000 at 10-25%, $2,500 at 26-50%, $3,000 at 51-75%, $3,500 at 76-100% or for veterans 65+ with at least a 10% rating); an additional $5,000 or $10,000 for specified severe service-connected disabilities | VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10%; higher amounts apply at higher ratings and for specified severe disabilities. · Connecticut resident veteran; file VA disability rating documentation with the town assessor. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-81(20), (21) |
| Totally Disabled Persons Property Tax ExemptionDisability | Up to $1,000 reduction in assessed value | Age 18+ · Permanently and totally disabled and receiving Social Security disability benefits, or benefits under a federal, state, or local government retirement program with disability standards comparable to Social Security. · Connecticut property owner. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-81(55); § 12-94aForm D-1 (Taxpayer Application) |
| Blind Persons Property Tax ExemptionDisabilityVerify locally | $3,000 reduction in assessed value | Legally blind, established by statutory criteria (typically a certificate of blindness). · Connecticut property owner. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-81(17) |
| Local-Option Elderly/Disabled Homeowner Relief and Tax FreezeAssessment FreezeVerify locally | Amount adjusted annually — confirm with your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management) | Age 65+ · Some local programs extend to totally disabled homeowners; varies by town. · Income: Set by each municipality (local option). · Own and occupy the home in the adopting municipality; specific terms set locally. | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 12-129n, 12-170v |
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Connecticut property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Connecticut?
Connecticut offers 8 main property tax relief programs: Elderly and Totally Disabled Homeowners (Circuit Breaker) Tax Relief Program, Renters' Rebate for Elderly/Disabled Renters Tax Relief Program, Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (Basic), Additional Veterans' Tax Relief Program (Income-Based), Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemption (by Disability Rating), Totally Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption, Blind Persons Property Tax Exemption, Local-Option Elderly/Disabled Homeowner Relief and Tax Freeze. Each is administered through your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management).
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Connecticut?
You apply through your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management) — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
Is filing for a Connecticut property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your Town/City Assessor (state programs administered by the CT Office of Policy and Management). Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Connecticut to other states by relief type
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