New ordinance provides tax relief for eligible homeowners following town wide revaluation, with first savings reflected in July 2027 tax bills.
STRATFORD, Conn. — The Stratford Town Council has adopted a new property tax exemption “Limited Homestead Property Tax Exemption”, a measure to designed to stabilize eligible homeowners manage the significant increases in home assessments following the town-wide revaluation.
The new Limited Homestead Property Tax Exemption ordinance reduces the taxable assessed value of a qualifying owner-occupied home by 35%. The exemption applies to the home itself, not the land, and is the maximum exemption permitted under Connecticut law. The exemption replaces the previously planned phase-in and will first be reflected in tax bills due July 1, 2027. It will not change taxes that have already been paid.
“Revaluation changed the numbers on paper for many Stratford homeowners, but it didn’t necessarily change how much money they have coming in each month,” said Town Council Chairman Anthony Afriyie. “For families and seniors on tight budgets across and residents living on fixed incomes, a significant increase in assessed value can create real financial pressure. We took that seriously.”
The Council spent several months reviewing the proposal, considering its impact on homeowners, local businesses, the Town’s tax base, and the funding needed to provide essential public services. That process included weighing the need for meaningful homeowner relief against the financial responsibilities the Town must continue to meet.
“We wanted to make sure we understood both the benefits and the trade-offs before taking action,” Afriyie said. “This exemption reduces the portion of a qualifying home’s assessed value that is subject to property taxes. Because the Town still has to fund schools, public safety, roads, and other essential services, the change also affects how the overall property tax burden is distributed. A greater share will fall on the remaining taxable property base, including commercial properties and homes that are not owner-occupied.”
Afriyie said the Council believes the measure strikes a balance between helping residents remain in their homes and maintaining the resources needed to serve the entire community.
“No one should be priced out of the home they’ve worked a lifetime to keep,” said Mayor Chess. “Rising values are a sign of Stratford’s untapped potential, but that success can’t come at the expense of the neighbors who built this town. The Council took real action to keep Stratford homeowners in their homes. I’m grateful to every member who voted for this relief. Now let’s get to work making sure every eligible homeowner returns their attestation form by December 31.”
What Stratford Homeowners Need to Know
The new exemption is intended to help qualifying residents by reducing the assessed value of their homes that is subject to property taxes. However, not every property qualifies, and homeowners must complete the required paperwork to receive the benefit.
Who qualifies?
The exemption is available to owners of:
- Single-family homes, including homes with in-law apartments.
- Two-family homes, with the exemption applying to the owner-occupied portion of the property’s assessed value.
- Condominiums.
To qualify, the property must be the owner’s primary residence, and the owner must live there for more than 183 days a year. There is no income limit to qualify.
Other eligibility rules apply:
- Ownership: Eligible ownership must have been in place by October 1, 2026. Properties titled to an LLC, partnership, limited partnership, S-corporation, or C-corporation are not eligible.
- Properties held in trust: These may qualify if the owner and/or spouse are both the grantor and sole beneficiary. The trust agreement must be submitted to the Tax Assessor’s Office for review by the Town Attorney.
- Property taxes: Taxes on the property must be current. Properties with delinquent taxes do not qualify.
- Annual confirmation: Homeowners must attest to their ownership and residency every year.
- When a home is sold: A new owner who applies may receive a prorated exemption from the date of transfer through the end of the Grand List year.
When will the savings begin?
The exemption takes effect 30 days after the ordinance’s passage. The Tax Assessor will calculate the exemption amount annually.
Eligible homeowners will first see the exemption reflected in tax bills due July 1, 2027. The program is scheduled to remain in place until the next town-wide revaluation in 2029.
The exemption does not provide refunds or adjustments for property taxes already paid.
How to Apply: Important Deadline
The Tax Assessor’s Office has mailed Homestead Exemption Attestation of Eligibility forms to owners of eligible property types.
Completed forms must be postmarked or delivered to the Tax Assessor’s Office by December 31, 2026. No exceptions.
To apply, homeowners must:
- Complete the form accurately and sign it in ink.
- Include the first page of their federal tax return to verify their primary residence. Financial information may be blacked out.
- Include the trust agreement if the property is held in a trust.
- Mail the completed application or deliver it in person to the Tax Assessor’s Office. Email and fax submissions will not be accepted.
Because the Town expects to process a large number of applications, homeowners will receive notice of their eligibility through assessment notices mailed in February 2027.
Residents who have not received a form should contact the Tax Assessor’s Office at (203) 385-4025 or visit Town Hall at 2725 Main Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Extended Hours to Help Residents Apply
To make the application process more accessible, the Tax Assessor’s Office will offer additional hours:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays in October: 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, November 7: 10:00 a.m. to noon.
- Saturday, December 5: 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Residents are encouraged to contact the office with questions rather than risk missing the deadline.
Protecting Residents’ Personal Information
The Town recognizes that the application requires residents to provide sensitive personal information.
Submitted documents will be stored in locked cabinets in an office that is locked overnight. The cabinets are located in an area of Town Hall accessible only to authorized Town employees.
Records will be retained in accordance with requirements established by the Connecticut State Library’s Office of the Public Records Administrator. After two years from the date of application, the Town will request the required state approval to destroy the records. Documents will be securely destroyed once that approval is granted.
The Town has also stated that documents submitted with the attestation contain personal identifying information and are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information law.
A New Measure, With Clear Responsibilities
The Council’s adoption of the 35% Homestead Property Tax Exemption establishes a new approach to providing property tax relief for eligible Stratford homeowners following revaluation. Its implementation will require clear communication, annual verification, and cooperation between residents and the Tax Assessor’s Office.
For residents, the most important next step is straightforward: review the eligibility requirements, complete the attestation form, and make sure it is postmarked or delivered by December 31, 2026.
For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Town of Stratford’s Homestead Property Tax Exemption Information page at townofstratfordct.sites.
The exemption was adopted under Section 12-81oo of the Connecticut General Statutes as Ordinance #26-15.
More information and answers to frequently asked questions are on the Town’s Homestead Property Tax Exemption Information page at townofstratfordct.sites.
The exemption was adopted under Section 12-81oo of the Connecticut General Statutes as Ordinance #26-15.
