Taxes

Policy Changes during Covid-19 pandemic 

Please note that in an effort to protect the health and safety of both our citizens and staff, property tax payments will not be accepted in person at City Hall at this time. However, payments can be made online, through your financial institution, or by mail. 

Waiving of late fee penalties 

City Council has extended financial relief measures until September 30, 2020.  The following measures have been put in place to assist property owners who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic: 

  • Penalty & Interest on 2020 unpaid taxes only will not be charged up to and including September 30, 2020.  Tax arrears related to 2019 and prior years will still be charged 1.25% interest monthly. 
  • Post-dated cheques on file for property taxes will still be deposited unless the property owner contacts the Property Tax Office to request the cheques be held for future deposit or returned. 
  • The final 2020 property tax due dates are June 26 and September 9 and we encourage property owners who are able to pay their taxes to do so by these dates. 
  • 12-month Pre-authorized Payment Plans (PAP) and Due Date Payment Plans will proceed as scheduled but property owners can contact the Property Tax Office to suspend the plan for their accounts until further notice without penalty. Property owners choosing to suspend their PAP plans must notify the Property Tax Office in writing at least 7 days prior to the scheduled withdrawal of funds from their account. 
  • Late payment charges will not be charged on water/wastewater utility accounts in arrears up to and including September 30, 2020. 
  • The $40 Non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee for returned cheques will not be charged up to and including September 30, 2020. 
  • The Property Tax Office can be contacted by phone at 519-759-4150 or by email at  tax.info@brantford.ca. Water account holders can contact Customer Service Utilities at 519-756-1360 or  customerservices@brantford.ca. 

Please continue to visit brantford.ca/Covid-19 for updates regarding impacts to City programs and services.

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) Update

Assessment Update

The Ontario government has announced that the 2020 Assessment Update has been postponed. They have indicated that property assessments for the 2021 property tax year will continue to be based on the fully phased-in January 1, 2016 current values. This means your property assessment for the 2021 property tax year will be the same as the 2020 tax year, unless there have been changes to your property.

Request for Reconsideration (RfR) Deadline Extension

The RfR deadline is usually March 31 of the applicable taxation year.  However, given the emergency declared by the Province of Ontario, pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and regulations made thereunder, the RfR deadline for the 2020 taxation year will be 16 days after the emergency is lifted.

Learn more: www.mpac.ca/AssessmentUpdate

Property Taxes 

Property taxes (comprised of residential, commercial, industrial and other tax classes) is the City's main source of revenue. They allow us to provide the important municipal programs and services you value and expect.

Calculation of Property Taxes

The City of Brantford calculates your yearly taxes based on our tax rate multiplied by the assessed value of your property. 

Tax Due Dates

The final due dates for 2020 are Friday, June 26 and Wednesday, September 9.

Penalty/interest of 1.25% will be added on the day of default to any instalment, plus 1.25% on the first day of each month thereafter until paid.

If you haven't paid your taxes for 2 years, your property is eligible for tax sale by the municipality and you are responsible for our fees and cost for all notices sent to inform you of this matter. 

Payment options

You can pay your taxes through a pre-authorized payment plan, from your financial institution, in person, or by mail.

Pre-Authorized Payment Plans

Our pre-authorized tax payment plans enable you to make 12 monthly payments or four instalment payments per year that are withdrawn from your bank account and credited to your property tax account. Learn about the preauthorized payment options that we have available.

Financial Institutions

You can pay your taxes from your financial institution (banks, credit union, etc.) through online banking, telephone banking, at an automatic teller or in person. To pay your taxes through online banking you will need sign on to your financial institutions secure website and use your property specific eight digit account number. Retain your receipt.

In person

You may pay your taxes at Brantford City Hall, on 100 Wellington Square. We have an after-hours drop-box to the left of the front entrance of City Hall.

You can leave post-dated cheques and the payment stubs for both instalments early to avoid missing the due dates. Please do not put cash in the drop-box.

Hours of operation

Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mortgage Company

If your taxes are paid by a mortgage company and you receive a tax bill/statement promptly forward it to their office. You may request one free statement/bill from the tax office per year.

Rebates, write-offs and deferrals

If you feel that the assessment of your property is incorrect, appeals can be made to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Appeal forms can be viewed and downloaded from the MPAC website. 

If there is a change in the status of your property due to damage by fire, demolition, change in use, etc., notice in writing must be given in-person to City Hall or by email Tax Office using the Section 357 Application. The appeal can then be prepared and presented to City Council for a tax adjustment. 

If you or your spouse are in receipt of benefits from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), or are a low-income senior in receipt of benefits under the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS), you can apply for a deferral of taxes. 

Learn about the rebates and write-offs that are available to help you with paying taxes. 

For Registered Charities in Commercial or Industrial Class Properties, you can submit a Property Tax Rebate Application.

Request a Tax Bill or Tax Account Statement

If you need a copy of a previous tax bill or current tax account statement, you can submit a request for copy of tax bill or tax account statement form. 

Authorizing an Owner's Representative

If you, as the owner of a property require someone else to discuss your tax account with the Property Tax Office, please complete the form Authorizing an Owner's Representative and Email Tax Office. Alternatively, please call 519-759-4150 speak to someone in the Property Tax Office.

Ordering a tax certificate

Tax certificates are generally purchased by lawyers or financial institutions in order to determine the annual taxes and the current balance of a tax account. Learn how you can request a property tax certificate.

Sale of properties for tax arrears

Tenders are invited and will be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday, June 3, 2019 at the Reception of the City of Brantford Purchasing Division Office. Visit our Brantford Bids and Tenders page for more details. 

Tax rates

Review the City of Brantford's 2020 Tax Rates for each property class.

Past tax rates

View our past tax rates: