Tax Relief for Toronto Property Owners with Damaged and Unusable Properties

Photo: City of Toronto
Photo: City of Toronto

This is an update to the following previous blogs:

Property owners can get tax relief for damaged and unusable properties in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • If there is damage to their Toronto property as a result of certain events that affect the assessed value of the property, then property owners may be entitled to a cancellation, reduction or refund of property taxes.
  • According to provincial legislation, property owners may be eligible if either of the following applies to their property:
    • the property was damaged by fire, demolition or otherwise making it substantially unusable for the purposes for which it was used immediately prior to the damage, or
    • repairs or renovations prevented normal use for a period of at least three months.

There is a deadline date to file an application for a cancellation, reduction or refund of certain property taxes.

  • Property owners must file an application with the Treasurer of the City of Toronto on or before the legislative deadline of February 28 of the year following the year to which the tax relief application pertains.
  • The deadline for applications for the 2013 taxation year is February 28, 2014.

More information is available at http://bitly.com/1fMGaCc (pdf).

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311.

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311).

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS REL:EASE

November 28, 2013

Tax relief for damaged and unusable properties in Toronto

Property owners who experience damage to their Toronto property as a result of certain events that affect the assessed value of the property may be entitled to a cancellation, reduction or refund of property taxes.

“While City taxes are proposed to go up next year, taxpayers need to know that if their property was substantially damaged, making it unusable for three months or more, they can apply for tax relief,” said Councillor David Shiner (Ward 24 Willowdale), Chair of the City’s Government Management Committee.

Provincial legislation provides that Council may cancel, reduce or refund taxes in cases where, during the tax year, a property undergoes changes that affect the assessed value of the property or tax classification. Property owners may be eligible if either of the following applies to their property:
• the property was damaged by fire, demolition or otherwise making it substantially unusable for the purposes for which it was used immediately prior to the damage, or
• repairs or renovations prevented normal use for a period of at least three months.

“The City will provide tax relief for residents whose property was severely damaged and unusable for three months or more by a major event such as a flood or fire,” said Councillor Shiner.

The amount of the property tax cancellation or reduction is based on the reduction in assessed or market value of the property and the portion of the year for which the reduction is applicable. In order for tax relief to be granted under this program, the City relies on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to provide assessment details related to the request for cancellation/reduction of taxes. The City uses the assessment information from MPAC and the applicable tax rates for the year to calculate the amount of the tax cancellation, reduction or refund.

Property owners who wish to apply for a cancellation, reduction or refund of their property taxes must file an application with the Treasurer of the City of Toronto on or before the legislative deadline of February 28 of the year following the year to which the tax relief application pertains. The deadline for applications for the 2013 taxation year is February 28, 2014.

More information is available at http://bitly.com/1fMGaCc.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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