Tax Abatement Program

Berlin Tax Abatement Program

Tax Abatement Program
Adopted 12-12

The Town of Berlin, Connecticut recognizes the importance of continued economic growth in our community and has adopted the following tax abatement framework. Projects must be consistent with State Statutes. The Town policy is that projects must involve real property improvements for at least one of the following: (1) for office use; (2) for manufacturing use; (3) for warehouse, storage or distribution use; (4) for information technology; or (5) for restaurants other than fast food, new retail developments or redevelopment of existing retail properties that involve substantial renovations or restoration of the exterior of the building and improvements to landscaping. Other uses for which tax abatement is permitted by state statute will not generally be eligible unless the applicant demonstrates that the project will have a special benefit to the community. The following abatement schedule will be used by the Town Council as a guideline. The Town Council must act to approve each project and its specific abatement schedule.

Abatement schedule 50%, 40%, 30%

The value of real property improvements must be greater than $150,000 if the project is for office use, for manufacturing use, for warehouse, storage or distribution use, newly developed for restaurants other than fast food or retail use or for information technology.
The value of real property improvements must be greater than $50,000 if the project is for redevelopment of existing retail properties that involve substantial renovations or restoration of the exterior of the building and improvements to landscaping.

Additional abatements may be considered for projects involving real property improvements greater than three million dollars. 

Application Procedure

The tax abatement program application should be submitted to the Economic Development Director for consideration for a recommendation by the Economic Development Commission to the Town Council. Property owners within 500 feet of the proposed development site will be notified 7 days in advance of the meeting that the Town Council will consider a tax partnership application.

Application for both the Tax Abatement and Infrastructure Loan Fund programs.