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Vermont · How-To Guide

How do I pay my property taxes?

City or Town Treasurer / Town Clerk (municipal level - each of Vermont's approximately 246 cities and towns)
Details

What you need to know

Online Option
Many Vermont towns accept online payment; check your town's website
Where to Go
City or Town Treasurer; Town Office
Vermont Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Vermont's property tax structure is unique because the EDUCATION TAX is STATE-CONTROLLED while MUNICIPAL taxes are locally controlled.
  • HOMESTEAD DECLARATION (Form HS-122): MUST FILE ANNUALLY with the Vermont Department of Taxes by April 15 to receive the residential (homestead) education tax rate, which is lower than the non-homestead (rental/investment) rate; also required to qualify for income-based education tax credits; critical annual requirement - file at tax.vermont.gov; failure to file means paying the higher non-homestead rate.
  • INCOME-BASED EDUCATION TAX CREDIT: Vermont offers an income-based adjustment so lower-income homestead owners pay education taxes as a percentage of their income rather than their property value; major benefit for qualifying residents; requires the Homestead Declaration (HS-122) and income tax return.
  • PROPERTY REAPPRAISAL: Vermont requires towns to reappraise at least every 6 years (Act 68, 2023, effective January 2025); assessment is as of April 1 each year; assessed by locally elected LISTERS (Vermont's term for assessors).
  • VETERAN EXEMPTION: qualifying veterans receive at least $10,000 off assessed value; towns may set higher amounts; contact your town listers.
  • Current Use Program (Use Value Appraisal): farming and forestland assessed at its current use (agricultural/forestry value) rather than market value; apply with Vermont Tax Department.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Vermont Department of Taxes (homestead declaration, income-based credits) - tax.vermont.gov | (802) 828-2865 | myVTax: myvtax.vermont.gov; City/Town Treasurer (payment - varies by municipality); Town Listers (assessment - varies by municipality)