Toronto homeowners: property tax relief deadline Nov 2, Vacant Home Tax portal opens in November

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The relief programs target low-income seniors, low-income residents with disabilities and other vulnerable owners, covering four schemes: the Property Tax Increase Deferral, Water Rebate, Solid Waste Rebate and Property Tax Increase Cancellation programs. The City stresses that owners must reapply every year with supporting documents — last year's approval doesn't carry over. Eligibility depends on age, income and disability status; the cancellation program also requires combined household income of no more than C$62,000 and an assessed value below C$975,000.

The Vacant Home Tax declaration is mandatory for every Toronto residential property owner, occupied or not. Once the portal opens, declarations are generally accepted through April 30 of the following year. The tax targets homes vacant for more than six months in the previous calendar year. Owner-occupied homes and homes lived in by tenants or eligible family members are exempt, as are cases where the owner has died, is in long-term care or hospital, holds a permit for major renovation, or is subject to a court order restricting occupancy.

Skipping the declaration is expensive: the City deems the property vacant and issues a tax bill — at 3% of the current assessed value since the 2024 taxation year, a C$950,000 home faces C$28,500 a year. The tax forms a lien on the property and follows the house, not the owner, so buyers should have the vendor document occupancy or exemption status before closing.