Toronto City Council officially approved the extension of the deadline for residential property owners to declare their property’s occupancy status for the Vacant Home Tax.
The deadline to make a declaration this year is now Tuesday, February 28. Council’s amendment to the Vacant Home Tax bylaw also includes a change to the payment dates for the tax. Instead of a one-instalment payment date of May 1, owners of residential properties subject to the Vacant Home Tax can submit payment in three instalments – on May 1, June 1 and July 1.
As this is the first year residential property owners are required to declare their property’s occupancy status, the City of Toronto is facilitating the extended period to submit declarations.
The City has also changed the Vacant Home Tax payment due date to a three-instalment payment schedule to moderate the financial impact on property owners who must pay this tax. It can now be paid over several months, similar to property taxes, as opposed to a single lump sum payment.
If residents own their home, if they live in their house but go to a vacation during parts of the year or work abroad, or even if residents rent out their property, the tax will not apply in their situation. While the Vacant Home Tax will not apply to the vast majority of Toronto residents, all homeowners must submit a declaration.
Homeowners only require their property assessment roll number and customer number to declare the occupancy of their home. The numbers can be found on the most recent property tax bill, or the declaration notices mailed out by the City late last year. Homeowners who do not have access to a computer can authorize someone to act on their behalf to make the online submission.
