A Guide to Property Tax & Utility Bill Deadlines, Rebate and Relief Programs in Toronto

Pre-Authorised Payment Programs

To enrol in a Pre-Authorised Tax Payment Program (PTP), one must complete a Pre-Authorised Tax Application form. By enrolling in the program, the property tax bill payments are automatically deducted from your bank or other financial institution. Here are the prerequisites for the same:

• Any property owner in Canada can enrol in the PTP program anytime.
• The property taxes of the users must be in a good position so they can qualify for the same.
• After registering, users are advised of their pre-authorised payment schedule by letter.
• Users must pay their property tax bill through regular payment methods until they receive a confirmation letter of PTP enrolment.
• Enrolment in this program is done within 30 days of receiving the application.

About Additional Charges and Removal of this Program

These additional charges are outside of the otherwise regular tax instalments schedule. These are fire charges, property tax bills, workplace, municipal licensing, and standard charges added to the tax roll. In case the user lacks to pay these charges on time, they will be, by default, removed from the program.

Toronto Utility Bill

It is important to note that your payment reaches the city before or before the due date. For this, paying your fee through online banking or the pre-authorized payment plan would be better. This would also help you avoid tax penalties for losing your Toronto utility bill early payment discount.

Property Tax Bills and Appeals

The purpose of filing an appeal are as follows:

• If the property’s value is not correct
• If the property’s classification is not rightly done
• A person was wrongly placed on the assessment, or if in case they were omitted altogether
• If a person improperly omitted or placed on the assessment in respect of the school support
• A person has more than one property classification listed on the notice and portions of the total assessed value.

The tax deadline in 2023 is February 28, 2023.

Property Tax Bills and Rebate Programs

The tax deadline is August 31, 2023. However, this tax deadline in 2023 is subject to City Council’s approval.

Property Tax Bills, Water and Solid Waste Relief Programs

Property tax, water and solid waste relief applicants are eligible to submit the applications for their primary residence. The city requires the users to offer the original or, in any way, an unaltered copy of their notice of assessment (NOA).

How to Apply

The property tax bills and water and solid waste relief application will be available in spring 2023. For the users, it is essential to apply by August 31, 2023. The tax deadline in 2023 is subject to City Council approval.

Apportionment of Property Tax Bill

The apportionment of the property tax bill will be required. This is done when the outstanding taxes exist from a previously more significant part of the land, further dissected into smaller parts arising from the redevelopment. The taxes also need to be reassigned amongst the subdivided parts.

Toronto Utility Billing Programs

Under the Toronto utility billing program, you can choose between the designated mailer program or the monthly billing program.

Designate Mailer Program

Under this program, you can mail your Toronto utility bill to a designate. This designate can be a tenant, lawyer or even an accountant.

Monthly Billing Program

You must meet the eligibility criteria to be accepted to the program and billed monthly for your utilities. Here are the eligibility criteria for the same.

• The person should be the owner of the property.
• Get yourself enrolled in the Pre-Authorized Toronto Utility Bill Payment Program
• Receive your bills through e-billing
• Be equipped with an Automatic Meter Reader

Water and Solid Waste Rebate Programs

Under this, there are two programs:

Home Dialysis Water Rebate Program

This program is meant for Toronto residents who undergo home dialysis treatments. And to apply for this rebate program, one must be:

• Owner of the property
• A tenant or a designated agent who receives and pays the Toronto utility bills and
• The program applicant must also be reading at the residential property

Water, Solid Waste & Property Rebate Programs

This program is meant for seniors who belong to low-income groups and for people who live with disabilities. To be eligible for this program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• The water and utility account must be clear and paid in full.
• The tax account must not have any taxes due for the prior years.
• The applicant must be the property owner and have occupied the property for at least one year before August 31, 2022.
• A driver’s licence would be needed as proof of age.

Property Assessment Appeals

MPAC (The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) is primarily responsible for classifying and assessing properties in Ontario. Every four years, the MPAC conducts a province-wide assessment update issued to every property owner.

How to Appeal for Assessment

If you are unsatisfied with the information on your property assessment notice, you may request reconsideration (RfR) with MPAC. In this case, a user can also appeal to the ARB (Assessment Review Board). Here’s the process you need to follow for the same. Here’s how you can appeal for assessment for properties that come under the category of farm, residential or managed forest.

• For beginners, file an RfR with MPAC. Remember to have a deadline printed on your property assessment notice for this.
• As you file your assessment, MPAC will review your request and conclude. If in case, you agree with the review, you will need to sign the minutes of the settlement.
• If you disagree with the RfR recommendation, you may have to appeal to the ARB. However, this should be 90 days before sending your mail.

For All Other Property Types

• You can file an RfR (Request for Consideration) with MPAC or directly appeal to ARB (Assessment Review Board).
• The deadline to file the appeal with ARB is March 31. Also, please consider that your property taxes bills must be paid in full.

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