Daunting task: Study taxes but not whether they’re too high
The State Tax Panel is kicking off a four-month study of the state's tax system and economy, but in theory it will not address whether taxes are too high or too low, or whether certain groups should...
View ArticlePanel struggles to solve state’s property tax woes
The panel studying Connecticut’s taxes off-and-on for two years has wrapped up its work struggling to find consensus on arguably Connecticut’s most onerous levy: the municipal property tax.
View ArticleMunicipalities fear big CT deficits will nix promised state aid
In light of surging state budget deficits, municipal leaders were skeptical Tuesday that their communities would receive the hundreds of millions of dollars in state sales tax receipts owed them over...
View ArticleOne bill to tax Yale moves forward, another dies
The legislature's tax-writing committee Thursday approved a bill that would allow New Haven to begin taxing commercial property owned by Yale, but let die a controversial bill backed by the leader of...
View ArticleMunicipalities say CT’s property tax system is unsustainable
Just days after a landmark state court ruling found Connecticut’s education funding system to be “irrational and unconstitutional,” the chief lobbying group for cities and towns issued a new research...
View ArticleLooney wants half-penny sales tax option for cities and towns
Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney of New Haven called Friday for an optional local sales tax increase to help cities and towns control property tax rates. This would add a local surcharge of...
View ArticleCoventry town manager Elsesser: Connecticut should consider the commercial...
John A. Elsesser, longtime Coventry town manager, has been one of the leading figures in municipal government for nearly four decades. He understands the varied and intensifying fiscal pressures facing...
View ArticleCT tax commissioner says GOP plan would force many in state to pay more
WASHINGTON — Connecticut Commissioner of Revenue Services Kevin Sullivan says the House GOP tax bill “could provide some economic stimulus…for states like Connecticut,” but he also said the plan is...
View ArticleGOP approves tax bill over opposition of CT lawmakers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House on Thursday approved a wide-ranging overhaul of the federal tax code that will lower taxes for many in Connecticut, while hiking them for some, especially in middle-class...
View ArticleFederal tax changes further polarize debate over state income tax
Now that Congress has passed a massive federal tax overhaul, political observers here agree it could have a chilling effect on future proposals to raise the Connecticut income tax — even 14 months from...
View ArticleLamont offers tax relief in jobs plan, but no plan to pay for it
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ned Lamont unveiled a jobs plan Wednesday centered on three business tax cuts — and a previously disclosed middle-class income tax break — none of which he could...
View ArticleCCM tries to get a little louder on property tax relief
After watching state aid erode over the past decade, Connecticut municipalities hope to appeal directly to voters to order property tax relief.
View ArticleAfter one alarming tax fairness study, CT is wary of launching a second
After a 2014 study found CT's tax system hammers the poor and middle class, officials have postponed a second analysis.
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CT’s extreme inequality poses major obstacle to sustainable ‘inclusive’ growth
The principle of inclusive economic growth, holistic strategies aimed at helping all income groups prosper, is appealing in concept to state Sen. Saud Anwar, a physician for the past 25 years. But in...
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Best of 2020: CT’s extreme inequality poses major obstacle to sustainable...
This story was originally published on November 9, 2020. The principle of inclusive economic growth, holistic strategies aimed at helping all income groups prosper, is appealing in concept to state...
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Senate leader pitches new state property tax on high-value homes
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas :: CtMirror.orgWestport is one of the nation’s wealthiest towns, with mansions like this one overlooking Long Island Sound. Connecticut’s tax fairness debate took another leap...
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There’s a plan to get rid of property tax on cars. But how would towns make...
ctmirror.orgSen. John Fonfara. D-Hartford For more than a decade, state officials have flirted with removing the property tax on motor vehicles. Sen. John Fonfara of Hartford and other Democrats have a...
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Big dollars hang in the balance as CT finance panel rushes to finish work
MARK PAZNIOKAS :: CTMIRROR.ORGRep. Sean Scanlon addressing a chamber largely empty due to the pandemic in February. Gov. Ned Lamont kicked off this year’s state budget debate by urging lawmakers to...
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Bills to repeal motor vehicle tax and cap property taxes are in political limbo
Arielle Levin BeckerSen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford (file photo) As the legislature’s Finance Committee wrapped its work Thursday, two bills to significantly reshape the municipal property tax were in...
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Policy group challenges Lamont, lawmakers to fix regressive property tax system
Clarice Silber :: CTMirror.orgA report from 1,000 Friends of Connecticut wants Gov. Lamont and lawmakers to overhaul a property tax system they believe handicaps residents of Connecticut’s poorest...
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Want to fix Connecticut’s economy? Pass property tax reform to help the cities
To help our cities create jobs, Connecticut must reform property taxes. It’s no coincidence that unemployment is highest in our cities where property taxes are highest.
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Overtime: General Assembly to return next week for budget vote
The leaders of the House and Senate Democratic majorities gave up Wednesday on adopting a new state budget before the legislature's constitutional adjournment deadline of midnight, instead scheduling a...
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Malloy would bill towns for teachers’ pensions, cut middle-class tax credit
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Friday his proposed budget would shift $400 million, nearly one-third of the cost of municipal school teachers’ pensions, onto cities and towns next fiscal year — a move that...
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Big deficits two years from now could undercut tax cut promises
While the new state budget promises an array of tax cuts two and three years from now, it also leaves the next governor and legislature to close a $4.6 billion projected shortfall -- far larger than...
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Senate tax bill would have big impact on CT homeowners, small businesses
WASHINGTON – The Senate decided to go its own way in overhauling the nation’s tax code, and it’s plan would have a different impact on Connecticut taxpayers than a similar House bill. One big change is...
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Senate approves sweeping tax overhaul despite CT Dem opposition
WASHINGTON — The Senate early Saturday passed a sweeping overhaul of the federal tax code that would end the deductibility of state income taxes and eliminate other popular tax breaks while lowering...
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CT CPA’s warn of dire impact of new federal tax plan
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s accountants are frustrated that they can give clients only limited advice about a massive federal tax overhaul underway in Congress, but predict there will be more losers...
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Final tax bill improves outlook for CT homeowners, students
WASHINGTON — As House and Senate negotiators of a final tax bill worked to finish the plan Thursday, changes were made that could help Connecticut homeowners and students. A final bill would allow...
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As Congress readies tax overhaul, an accountant explains its impact on...
As a historic overhaul of the nation’s tax code nears the finish line, Connecticut taxpayers have deluged their accountants with questions over its impact on their households or businesses. In this...
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CT joins other ‘blue’ states in looking to skirt new tax law
WASHINGTON – “Blue” states like Connecticut that say they were targeted in the GOP’s federal tax overhaul are looking for ways to protect their residents from the negative impact of the new cap on the...
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Connecticut’s attempt to safeguard federal deductions may draw IRS heat
WASHINGTON – Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau hopes to take advantage of a new state law aimed at blunting the impact on his town's residents of a new cap on certain federal tax deductions. But...
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Lamont: Property-tax relief possible, not income-tax repeal
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont said Thursday he wants to restore Connecticut’s incredibly shrinking property-tax credit: Worth about $385 million in middle-class relief nearly 20 years...
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Lamont’s property tax plan faces steep obstacles at outset
While Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ned Lamont's tax relief plan is less grandiose than that of GOP rival Bob Stefanowski, it still remains unclear whether Lamont can pay for that plan given the...
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CCM: Most CT cities and towns increased property taxes this year
Nearly 60% of CT cities and towns increased property taxes this year, with most of those tax hikes outpacing the rate of inflation.
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CCM says its property tax analysis contained flawed data
A Connecticut Conference of Municipalities report highlighting rising property taxes across much of the state contained a major factual error, CCM announced Tuesday. But while Monday’s report...
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Judge tosses suit by CT, other ‘blue states,’ that challenged SALT cap
A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the limit on the deductibility of state and local income taxes on federal returns.
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Lamont’s property tax relief pledge comes due in February
To keep his 2018 campaign pledge, Lamont must deliver $375 million in property tax relief. That isn't looking likely.
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State can’t print money, but it can guide economic rise from pandemic
Connecticut can't print money like Washington, but it has many options to shield its economy from the coronavirus crisis.
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Progressive legislators to Lamont: Tax the rich and expand support for poor...
Thirty Democrats challenged Gov. Lamont to tax the rich to help those most hurt by the pandemic.
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Lawmakers challenge Lamont to go bigger on property tax relief
The Finance Committee approved bills that increase - and broaden - property and child tax credits for Connecticut residents.
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