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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon |
| MEMBERS |
TERMS |
| Carol Wood |
2009 |
| Paul Wildasin |
2010 |
| Charles Degener |
2011 |
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The Board's primary responsibility is to appraise as accurately and equitably as possible all real property in the Town and Village in compliance with the Vermont State Statutes. The Grand List is a list of all properties in Woodstock and their assessments. The valuation (listing) year runs from April 1 through the following March 31st.
Other duties of the lister's office includes annual maintenance such as updating changes resulting from building permits, address changes, property transfers as well as period revaluations when mandated by the State.
State Statutes mandate more of our activities. The dates are as follows:
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April 1 - All taxable real property in Woodstock is assessed (listed) at fair market value which is then adjusted by the equalization ratio by the state (SHOULD a hyperlink go here?) check other town websites...
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April 15 - Last day to file the HS-122 Homestead Declaration form with the state. This form entitles you to be taxed at the Homestead School Tax Rate and is found in the Vermont Income Tax booklet. There is a late penalty for those who file after this date so it is VERY important to file this form on time. HS-122 FORM
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May 1 - Notices of eligibility for Disable Veteran exemptions are due in the Lister's Office.
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June - Property values are finalized for the tax year by ther lister's and the Abstract of the Grand List is lodged. Notices are mailed to all property owners who have had any changes to their assessed values and notices are placed around town regarding the Grievance Period. If a property owner wishes to grieve their assessment, they have 14 days from the date notices were either sent or posted to notify the Lister's Office and set up an appointment to grieve their assessment.
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Education Property Tax
The State of Vermont education statutes require that municipalities maintain a Common Level of Appraisal (CLA) above 80%. The CLA is the measure used to compare town assessments to current market value. This is calculated by dividing the total of the assessments of properties that have sold by the total of the sale prices (over a three year period).
The overall tax rate consists of the Municipal Tax Rate (approximately 1/3 of the tax bill) and the Education Tax Rate (approximately 2/3 of the tax bill). In 2003, with the passage of Act 68, the calculation of the school tax rate shifted from the local level to the state and two tax rates were created. The first being the Homestead Property tax rate which is applied to property owned and occupied by Vermont residents and the other is a Non-Resident tax rate which is applied to other property, including commercial, land and property belonging to non-residents. The two rates are generally less than one cent different for Woodstock property owners.
Beginning in the month of February, our office receives downloads from the State Tax Department containing lists of those taxpayers who have filed Homestead Declarations (HS-122 in Vermont Income Tax Booklet). We classify these properties as "Homestead" and the Homestead tax rate is applied to the property. We cannot classify a property as "Homestead" without the taxpayer filing the HS-122 Form, making it extremely important to file this form with the Vermont State Tax Department. Filing after April 15, but before September 2, will allow the property to be taxed at the "Homestead" rate but a penalty will be applied. If the form is filed after September 2, the property will not receive the Homestead tax rate and will be charged a penalty. The HS-122 form also includes information about whether any part of your property is rented, or if you use over 25% of the structure for business, the "non-resident" tax rate is applied to that percentage of your property value.
If you have any concerns about your current assessment, general questions or suggestions, please feel free to call 802-457-3607. You may also visit our office on the second floor of the Town Hall during regular business house Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
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