Sharon will allow late payments on taxes

SHARON— The Board of Selectmen in Sharon voted on April 14 to allow taxpayers who are struggling financially right now to defer paying their property taxes.

Gov. Ned Lamont issued an Executive Order telling towns they could choose one of two options to help lessen the burden of property taxes during the COVID-19 crisis. 

The first two quarterly payments in 2020 were due April 1 and July 1. Towns had the option of letting taxpayers ask to pay their April 1 bill on July 1 and to pay their July 1 bill on Oct. 1; or towns could choose to lower the interest rate on late payments

Tax Collector Donna Christensen had recommended the board choose the deferment option, which she felt would be more helpful to people. 

The taxpayer would apply for the deferment and would be given an interest-free grace period. 

Any portion of the tax still unpaid at the end of the grace period would then be subject to the usual interest rate of 18% per year. 

The board voted unanimously in favor of the plan.