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Taxes

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Tax rates

There are three parts to the tax rate:

Municipal tax rate, set by the Township of Scugog
Regional tax rate, set by the Regional Municipality of Durham
Education tax rate, set by the Province of Ontario

Learn more about tax rates.

Property assessment

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) determines property assessment values.

Learn more about property assessments.

Payment due dates

Interim tax bills are mailed in late January with expected due dates in February and April. Final tax bills are mailed in late May with expected due dates in June and September.

Properties enrolled in the monthly pre-authorized payment plan will receive only a final tax bill.

Property owners who have a mortgage company making payments on their behalf will receive only a final tax bill.

Failure to receive a tax bill does not eliminate the responsibility for the payment of the taxes and penalty. If you are responsible for paying your taxes directly and have not received a tax bill, please contact the Tax department at 905-985-7349 ext. 102 or 106.

Learn more about your payment options.

Supplementary billing

The Assessment Act allows a municipality to issue a supplementary tax bill for new buildings, new homes, alterations, improvements or class changes. Supplementary assessments can be added for the current year and up to the two preceding years.

Supplementary bills will be payable in two installments only; therefore new owners are advised to plan in advance for the eventual payment of these taxes.

Penalty and interest charges

Penalty and interest charges of 1.25 percent will be added to installments not paid by the due date. Penalty and interest charges, as well as a $3.00 Reminder Notice Fee, are applied on the first day of each month. Council and staff do not have the authority to waive or alter a penalty or interest charge for any reason. This policy is strictly applied to maintain fairness to all property owners.

Failure to receive a tax bill does not excuse a taxpayer from responsibility for payment.

Returned payments

A cheque or pre-authorized payment that is returned by your bank will result in an administration fee being added to your tax account.

Tax incentive programs

There are two types of Incentive Programs available for specific property owners:

Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program

The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) allows landowners who get their property classified as 'Managed Forest' to pay 25 per cent of the municipal tax rate set for residential properties.

To participate, you must prepare and follow a 10-year Managed Forest Plan that details how you will manage your forest property responsibly. The plan must be approved by a Managed Forest Plan Approver.

To be eligible you also need to:

own 4 hectares (9.88 acres) or more of forested land on a single property
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or be a Canadian corporation or Canadian partnership
have a minimum number of tress on each hectare (acre) of forest you own

View the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program Guide for more information.

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program

Under the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP), you could qualify for a 100 per cent property tax exemption for land that has important natural heritage features. To qualify, the land must be:

Provincially significant wetlands, a provincially significant area of natural or scientific interest, community conservation lands or land designated escarpment natural area in the Niagara Escarpment Plan
At least half an acre in size
Maintained in its natural state and made available for inspection by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

View the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program Guide for more information.

Tax rebate programs

The Township offers tax rebates for Charitable Organizations and for Vacant Commercial and Industrial Properties.

Learn more about our tax rebate programs.