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Municipal Tax Assessments

Property tax exemptions for conserved land vary widely across Connecticut, making it crucial for land trusts and landowners to understand local and state tax laws. This resource provides insights into property assessment statutes (e.g., Public Act 490), conservation easements’ effects on valuations, and local tax abatement policies. Whether you’re navigating tax exemptions or working with assessors these resources offer valuable tools and research to support your efforts.

Real Property Tax Exemption for Land Trusts

The exemption from real property taxes in whole or in part for land owned by a land trust or other non-profit organization or for property conserved in whole or part by a conservation restriction (including a conservation easement) varies from town to town in Connecticut.

To learn more, visit the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management webpage on Statutes Governing Property Assessment and Taxation.

Public Act 490

PA 490 is Connecticut’s law (Connecticut General Statutes Sections 12-107a through 107-f) that allows farm, forest, or open space land to be assessed at its use value rather than its fair market or highest and best use value (as determined by the property’s most recent “fair market value” revaluation) for purposes of local property taxation.

Valuing Properties with Conservation Easements

In 2017, CLCC worked with graduate students from the Yale School of the Environment to better understand whether municipal assessors in Connecticut are routinely taking into account the impact of a conservation easements when determining a property’s valuation. Based on surveys, interviews, and workshops, the report highlights knowledge gaps, communication barriers, and opportunities to strengthen relationships between land trusts and tax assessors.

Municipal Tax Abatement

Many Connecticut towns offer tax abatements to support conservation, but policies vary widely. CLCC has compiled example of of municipal tax abatement policies to provide land trusts with real-world examples of how communities can incentivize land protection.

Additional Support

For a list of Connecticut conservation laws, CLICK HERE

Please contact CLCC for more information and assistance with tax assessment issues.