By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The second installment of city tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle, sewer — were due Jan. 1, and payments after Feb. 1 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli said.
The 2019 supplemental motor vehicle bills are for vehicles registered after Oct. 1, 2019, and were also due Jan. 1.
Current taxes that were due Jan. 1 will have a 30-day grace period. Under the city’s COVID-19 relief plan, the interest rate on taxes that were due Jan. 1 will have a reduced interest rate from 1.5% to 0.25% per month until March 31.
Taxes can be paid by check, credit card, debit card or money order from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the window outside the tax office on the Campbell Avenue side of City Hall or by the drop box at the 355 Main St. entrance of the building. No cash is accepted and City Hall is closed on Friday until further notice, city officials said.
Taxpayers who have cash can go to a bank of their choice to obtain a money order or certified check.
While waiting in line for in-person payments at the tax office window, taxpayers must wear face masks and maintain social distancing at all times, including staying 6 feet away from others.
Taxpayers can also make a payment on the city website at https://www.mytaxbill.org/inet/bill/home.do?town=westhaven. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate tab. Tax payment history can also be viewed and printed.
The fees for credit cards and electronic checks are available at http://cityofwesthaven.com/276/Payments.
Taxes can also be paid by mail — check or money order, no cash — to the tax office lockbox or drop box. When paying by lockbox or drop box, the canceled check is the receipt.
After Feb. 1, taxes with interest can be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, P.O. Box 401, West Haven 06516. Payments can also be made in person.
Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay in person by credit card, debit card or money order.