The amount of tax that you are required to pay is calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your property times the tax rate. The tax rate is influenced by the total budget requirements of the municipality. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) determines the assessed value, and inquiries related to the assessed value of your property should be directed to their office.

Residential Properties

Tax bills for residential properties are prepared twice a year. The interim tax bill (based on your prior year annualized assessment multiplied by 50% of the previous year tax rate) is usually issued in January with due dates on the last working day of February and April. The final tax bill is issued in May, with due dates on the last working day of June and September. The timing of sending tax bills may be affected by changes in legislation. Due dates are advertised in the local newspapers.

Business Properties

Tax bills for business properties (commercial, industrial and multi-residential) are subject to provincial capping regulations. The adjustment can only be calculated once all municipalities in Simcoe County submit their capping information into OPTA.  Due dates are advertised in the local newspapers.

In 1998, the Province of Ontario imposed mandatory limits on reform-related property tax increases for commercial, industrial and multi-residential properties. The purpose of the capping was to make the impacts of current value assessment financially manageable for taxpayers.

Municipalities are required to perform capping calculations using a number of capping tools to determine capping adjustments to be applied to the final tax billings.

Township staff has invested significant time to ensure the accuracy of the calculations to date, and will continue to do so. Please contact the Deputy Treasurer if you require further information regarding your specific tax account.

Waste Management

The performance of waste management functions (collections, landfill, recycling) is a County responsibility. Waste Management is taxed as part of the Upper Tier taxation, and, at the request of the County, is shown separately.

Inquiries related to Waste Management (both operations and taxation) should be directed to the County of Simcoe.

Supplemental Tax Bills

There may be situations in which the assessed value that is shown on the tax bill does not reflect the correct assessment. For example, if you have purchased a new home, the assessed value may only represent the vacant land portion.

Supplementary tax bills are issued after the final tax bills, once the revised assessment value is received from MPAC. You may therefore receive a retroactive tax bill two or three years later. Property owners are advised to financially prepare for these supplemental tax bills, as they could be substantial.

Payment Provisions

• in person at the Township office, 450 Park Street Victoria Harbour, during normal office hours.  In addition, a mail slot is provided near the entrance for after hour delivery of cheques (no cash please).
• telephone (and computer) banking - if your financial institution is not set up for telephone banking, please have the agency contact the Director of Finance to make the necessary arrangements
• postdated cheques are accepted, and can be issued for specific due dates or to simulate a monthly payment plan
• pre-authorized payment plan - this allows the municipality to withdraw funds from your bank account to make tax and/or utility payments

Interest is charged at the rate of 1.25% per month on outstanding taxes. The interest is applied on the first day of the month. If you are planning on making partial payments, it is therefore recommended that payments be received in the office by the end of the month.