New & Noteworthy
Hartford Foundation Submits Testimony in Support of House Bill 5472, An Act Concerning Property Tax Exemptions
On March 16, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is grateful for this opportunity to submit written testimony to the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee in support of House Bill 5472, An Act Concerning Property Tax Exemptions.
The Foundation is committed to working with our donors, nonprofits and community partners to ensure a vibrant and strong Greater Hartford region. The Foundation is very concerned that a growing number of municipalities are seeking to deny local nonprofit organizations property tax exemptions.
Charitable organizations are exempt from local property tax in Connecticut by CGS Section 12-81; Subsection (7) exempts the property owned by “a corporation organized exclusively for… charitable purposes.”
Critical funding is diverted away from direct service provision to people in need when nonprofits, burdened by years of state budget cuts, are forced to choose between costly litigation and paying taxes on property that is exempt by state law. The reduction or elimination of these services would hurt local municipalities whose residents would no longer have access to the supports the need.
The Foundation recognizes the serious fiscal challenges facing many of our municipalities and believes that property used for non-charitable purposes should be subject to local property taxes. Unfortunately, current efforts by some municipalities would subject nonprofits to expenses on property being used for services many of Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents rely upon and represent a significant threat to Connecticut’s human services safety net. For these reasons, we encourage you to support House Bill 5472.