Frequently Asked Questions

Contact the Assessor's Office at 860-564-2904, ext. 104. Do not ignore your bill! Even if your vehicle has been sold, and plates returned to DMV; stolen and not recovered; declared a total loss; or if you have moved from Sterling or moved from Connecticut. If any of these situations applies to you, you may be entitled to a credit. Contact the Assessors regarding the acceptable forms of proof. Two forms of written proof are required, and you must apply within a limited time.

If you owe delinquent property taxes on any vehicle in your name, you may not renew any registrations at the Department of Motor Vehicles without paying your property taxes first. All past due taxes in your name must be paid in full by cash, cashier's check, money order, MasterCard, VISA, debit card, or ATM card for clearance. There is also a fee of $5 per name, per year for a motor vehicle clearance). All DMV clearances are processed within Town hall hours. So if you pay for your car on the weekend, you will have to wait until the Town Hall opens to release your vehicle. Please plan ahead so you are not disappointed at the DMV.

Yes. If you replaced one vehicle with another, and used the same license plates, you must pay on the "old" vehicle now. You will receive a pro-rated Supplemental motor vehicle tax bill in January, for the new vehicle. This bill will reflect a credit for the amount you paid the year before, on the old vehicle. You will receive this credit without having to apply for it. However, you still must pay the entire amount due on the old vehicle in July. However - if you obtained new license plates for the new vehicle, you must apply for a credit. Contact the Assessors Office at 860-564-2904, ext. 104.

Your tax town is your town of residency as of October 1, 2021. If you moved from Sterling after October 1, 2021, but still resided in Connecticut, you will still pay vehicle taxes to Sterling. Municipalities do not apportion motor vehicle tax bills for portions of a tax year. If you registered the vehicle in another state, contact the Assessor's Office. If you move, you are required to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of your new address within 48 hours. Be sure that you request a change of address on your driver's license and on your vehicle registration(s). Forms for this are available on line at the DMV website, at the Revenue Collector's Office, or at any municipal Police Department.

If you newly register a motor vehicle after October 1 (first time registration), you will receive a pro-rated tax bill in January. This "supplemental" bill will reflect the time from the month the vehicle was first registered, through September only.