Senior and Disabled Tax Relief

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State and local laws provide real property tax relief programs for Fairfield residents who are age 65 and over or totally disabled and whose annual incomes and assets are within specified limits. These programs are designed to help seniors and the totally disabled remain in the homes and town they improved over the years. Town tax relief programs are defined in Section 95-15 of the Town Code and are administered by the Assessor's Office.

Do I Qualify?

To qualify for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 tax relief:

• Persons must be at least 65 years of age or totally disabled (receiving total disability payments from Social Security or from any other government disability program) as of December 31, 2019
• See individual program levels below with income caps
• The property for which the tax relief is claimed must be the legal residence of the applicant and occupied by them more than 183 days of each year
• Applicant shall have been a taxpayer of the Town of Fairfield and have paid taxes for at least one year as of October 1 of the current Grand List year
• Persons must have a qualifying total asset value (QTAV) not exceeding $650,000. Qualifying total asset value consists of any and all assets of the applicant and spouse as of the date of application excluding the value of the applicant's primary legal residence and all tangible personal property contained therein

For qualification questions please contact the Assessor's Office.

When to Apply

The Filing Period for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Senior and Totally Disabled Tax Relief is Monday, February 3, 2020 through Friday, May 15, 2020.  According to State Statute, all applications must be made during this period.

Extensions to this filing deadline are only granted for "extenuating circumstances due to illness or incapacitation as evidenced by a physician's certificate or other good cause."  Requests for extensions must be made by application to the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management by August 15th of the application year. 

How to Apply

There are no paper applications.   Applicants must meet in person with a staff member from the Assessor's Office to file.   Application hours are 9:00-11:00 am and 2:00-4:00 pm, Monday through Friday during the Application Period.  You must bring all proof of income for the previous calendar year with you (see list below under 'What to Bring').

What to Bring

Applicants must bring proof of income for the previous calendar year. Applicants need to provide all information at filing time or will be asked to return.  Applications must be complete by the due date of May 15 to be considered on time.

Proof of income includes:

• a complete copy of your 2019 income tax form 1040 or 1040A
• a copy of the 2019 social security form 1099
• all other 1099 forms whether taxable or not

All income from all sources for the previous calendar year must be considered for any tax relief program.

For those who do not file an income tax form - copies of all 1099 forms both taxable and non taxable are required.

Town Tax Relief Programs

The Town offers three Senior and Disabled Tax Relief Programs.  The 2019 income requirements and program details are as follows:

Please consult Section 95-15 of the Town Code or contact the Assessor's Office for more details.

State Tax Relief

If an applicant's 2019 income is under $37,000 for a single person or $45,100 for a married couple, they are eligible for credit from the State as well as from the Town.  If eligible a state application will be completed at the same time as the town application.