How Property Tax Works
Lamoille County, Vermont operates under the state's property tax system, which primarily funds education through a combination of state education taxes and local municipal taxes. Property owners in Lamoille County pay taxes based on their property's assessed value, with the state education tax being the largest component. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 1.2% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on your specific location and whether your property qualifies for homestead status.
Property tax rates vary significantly within Lamoille County due to different municipal tax rates and special taxing districts. Each town within the county sets its own municipal tax rate to fund local services like road maintenance, fire protection, and municipal operations. Additionally, some areas may have special district assessments for services such as water, sewer, or lighting districts. Vermont assesses properties at full market value without assessment caps, and reassessments occur regularly to maintain current market valuations.
The Vermont property tax system includes several tax credit programs that can significantly reduce your tax burden, but these credits require annual application and are not automatically applied. The most significant is the Property Tax Credit (Homestead Credit), which can provide substantial savings for qualifying homeowners but must be claimed by filing Form HS-122 by April 15th each year.