Taxation

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's

Q: How do I update or change my mailing address for tax purposes?

A: Mailing address changes must be submitted in writing to the Finance Department by the registered property owner. We accept submissions through email, fax, in person or through the mail.  Please refer to the Changes to Mailing Address tab to find the Change of Mailing Address Form and more information.

Q: How do I get a property tax receipt or check on the status of my property tax account?

A: If you would like a property tax receipt or need to confirm the status of your property taxes, please contact the Accounting Assistant through email or at (705) 656-4445 extension 235. At this time property owners are not able to check on the status of their property taxes through the website.

A: Tax bills are sent to all property owners.  If you are on a Pre-Authorized Payment Plan, a copy of the tax bill will be sent to you for information purposes only. Please refer to our Payment Options tab for more information on Pre-Authorized Payment Plans.

A: There are several impacts to the property taxes for example, the change in assessment on your property and the budgets for the Township, County, and School Boards.

A: MPAC provides assessment values on each property to the Township.  When the municipal budget is set, the tax rate is calculated.  The County provides their tax rate to the municipality after their budget is passed, and the Education rate is set by the Province. The tax amount owing is calculated by multiplying the property's assessment value by these three tax rates. Please see the Tax Rates tab for more information.

A: Your property taxes pay for a variety of services at the Township, County and Educational levels. Services covered by your Township taxes include (but not limited to): roads, street lighting, fire services, and parks and facility maintenance.  For more information regarding the allocation of your taxes please see the Municipal Budget and Tax Rates options located on the Township's website.

A: The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for supplying the Township of North Kawartha with all assessment information including your designated school support. If you would like to change your designated school board, please contact MPAC at 1-866-296-6722

A: If you do not pay your tax bill by the due date, a monthly penalty of 1.25% will be added to the outstanding principal amount until the balance is paid in full.

If you continue to not pay your taxes your property may become eligible for tax sale, a process whereby the Township may sell your property and have it sold by public tender or public auction as a way to recover the outstanding taxes (this is a last resort).

Change of Mailing Address Form
It is the property owner's responsibility to keep the municipality updated on their current mailing address as it is the primary contact used by the municipality. Only property owners or their official agents have the authority to submit a change of mailing address. If you are a seasonal resident, please choose the address that most suits your needs.The address change will be in effect until the Township is otherwise notified and a copy will be retained in the property roll file.

Mailing address changes must be submitted in writing to our Finance Department. Please complete our Change of Mailing Address Form and submit it through email, fax, or mail, or by dropping it off at our office in person. Please refer to the form for further information about how to submit your address change.

If authorized, the Finance Department will then forward the address change information to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). It is important that MPAC also has your updated mailing address so that you continue to receive important information regarding your property, such as changes to your assessment.

Please Note: If there was a change in ownership, we require a copy of the deed to change our records. If there was a death of one of the owners, we require a copy of the Death Certificate to change our records. For more information, please email the Accounting Assistant or call 705-656-4445  extension 235.

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of your property by the current tax rate. The Township of North Kawartha sends out one interim and one final tax bill each year. The interim tax bill contains two installments; the first installment is due at the end of March and the second at the end of May. This amount is calculated based on 50% of the previous year's total taxes billed on the property. The final tax bill contains two installments and is determined once Council adopts the Township budget and passes the tax rate by-law for the current year.  This final tax bill shows the total taxes assessed on the property for the year less the amount on the interim tax bill. This bill also contains the third installment due at the end of July and the fourth installment due at the end of September.

Supplementary tax bills may be issued throughout the year and are in addition to the regular tax bill. You may get a supplementary tax bill due to additions, renovations, new buildings or a change to the property. If you have any questions about your supplementary bill, please contact the Deputy Treasurer by email or call (705) 656-4445 extension 233.

For information about property assessment please see our Assessment Information tab.

Property Tax Receipts

To get a receipt for your property taxes paid please:

• Email the Finance Department your request, including the details of your property.
• Send in a self addressed stamped envelope and we will mail one to you.
• Pick one up at the municipal office.

Request for Property Assessment Reconsideration

If you disagree with MPAC's assessment or classification of your property, you can file a Request for Reconsideration with MPAC and they will review your assessment, free of charge. For further information, please refer to the Assessment Information tab.

Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities who own residential property may be eligible to receive relief from property tax increases that resulted from assessment reform. For information about Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors and Low Income Persons with Disabilities within the County Of Peterborough please visit the County of Peterborough website, refer to the County of Peterborough's News Release or download the Application Form below. Please note that application forms are due by November 15 of the taxation year.

Form for Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors and Low Income Persons with Disabilities

(Above link includes general information, By-Laws and Application form.)

County of Peterborough News Release for Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors and Low Income Persons with Disabilities

Property tax billing occurs twice each year. Interim property tax bills are mailed at the end of February and final property tax bills are mailed at the end of June. Please note that there are two installments on each tax bill. Total taxes for the year are determined by multiplying the assessed value of your property by the appropriate tax rate.

2021 Property Tax Due Dates

Interim Due Dates:

• March 29, 2021
  
• May 27, 2021
  

Final Due Dates:

• July 28, 2021
  
• September 28, 2021
  

Please note that 1.25% of unpaid taxes will be added as penalty on the first day of each calendar month thereafter. Property owners are responsible for payment of property taxes whether or not a tax notice is received and the onus is on the property owner to know the status of their taxes at all times. If you did not receive your tax bill please call the Finance Department at 705-656-4445 Extension 235 or 233, or email the Finance Department.

Any questions regarding your property assessment please call the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-6722.

Property owners are responsible for payment of property taxes regardless of whether a tax notice is received. The onus is on the property owner to know the status of their taxes at all times.

Pre-Authorized Payment Plans

Your payment will always be on time with this convenient way of paying your taxes monthly. With your authorization, the Township will automatically deduct your payment from the bank account of your choice. The Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Form must be completed with a void cheque attached. You have the option of 10 monthly payments withdrawn on the 15th or 27th of each month from January to October, or 4 times per year on the tax installment due dates. Please contact the Deputy Treasurer by email or call (705) 656-4445 extension 233 for further information.

Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Form

Change to Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Form

Pay Through Your Banking Institution

Internet Banking - Search under "North Kawartha" in your bank's payee listing to set up your account.  Your account number will be your 19 digit Property Roll Number minus the four zeros at the end (be sure to include the prefix "1536" at the beginning of your roll number). If you are paying for more than one property, it is important to set up each roll number as a separate bill payment account and enter each payment separately to ensure your payments are applied correctly to your property tax rolls.

By Automated Teller Machine (ATM) - The remittance stub must accompany payment. Service charges may apply.

By Teller - You can pay your tax bill at most financial institutions. The remittance stub must accompany payment. Service charges may apply.

By Telephone - The Township has agreements with the following financial institutions for Telephone Banking:

• Royal Bank (Royal Direct)
• Scotia Bank (Telescotia)
• Toronto Dominion Bank (TD Access) / Canada Trust Bank
• CIBC (CIBC Telephone Payment)
• Credit Unions
• The Bank of Montreal
• Telepay
• HSBC Bank

Pay by Credit Card Online or Over the Phone

The Township of North Kawartha uses a secure, third-party online credit card payment service called Paymentus. You can pay your bill any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using your MasterCard or VISA.

Paymentus will charge a 1.75% service fee for each transaction.

To pay online with a credit card, please click the Paymentus button below. You will be redirected to the Paymentus Online Tax Payment System site.

Paymentus

If you wish to pay by credit card over the phone, you can use the secure, automated telephone payment system, also powered by Paymentus Corporation. 1-844-293-2299

What You'll Need

In order to make your payment online or over the phone, you'll need:

• Your property roll number, found in the upper left-hand corner of your tax bill. 
• The balance owed on your bill. 
• Your credit card number, including security code on the back of the card. 
• An email address to receive an electronic confirmation of your transaction.

Cheque or Money Order by Mail (Including Post Dated Cheques)

Send to:
Township of North Kawartha
P.O. Box 550
Apsley, Ontario
K0L 1A0

Please send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) if you would like a receipt for your tax payment.

Pay in Person at the Township Office

Payment by cash, cheque or debit card is accepted in our office. For convenient after-hours payments there is a secure drop box located to the right of the front entrance to the Township office.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) determines the assessed value of your home and/or property. MPAC re-assesses properties and issues a Property Assessment Notice generally in the summer of the last year of the four-year phase-in period. MPAC is independent of the Township.

If you disagree with your Property Assessment Notice there are two options for having it reviewed:

• Option 1 - A Request for Reconsideration carried out by MPAC. Under Section 357/358 of the Municipal Act, as a property owner you can file a Request for Reconsideration with MPAC if you disagree with their assessment or classification of your property and provided certain criteria is met. Your deadline to file a Request for Reconsideration is printed on your Property Assessment Notice (120 days from the Issue Date). This application can be submitted through AboutMyProperty. Please contact MPAC or our Deputy Treasurer through email or at (705) 656-4445 extension 233 for further information.
• Option 2 - File a Notice of Complaint with the Assessment Review Board. A fee does apply and the deadline to apply is 90 days after the date that MPAC issues the results of your Request for Reconsideration. You can find more information about how to file an appeal, including forms and fees at Environment & Land Tribunals Ontario.

Information and forms are available on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation website or at the Township Office. Want to know how MPAC Assesses your property? Check out their online tutorial videos. 

AboutMyProperty™ is a secure, online self-service application that provides property owners with convenient access to property assessment information. Through this service, you can access property assessment information, site information, lot size and recent sales information on your property and similar neighbourhood properties of interest - free of charge. You will need your roll number and Access Key located on your Property Assessment Notice.

Questions regarding the assessment of your property should be addressed to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation:

Phone: 1-866-296-6722

Fax: 1-866-297-6703

Regional Office:

1477 Lansdowne Street West
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 7M3

The tax rate is determined when North Kawartha Council and the County of Peterborough approve their budgets and once the Province of Ontario sets the Education Rate. To calculate your annual taxes you multiply the assessed value of your property by the current tax rate.

To learn more about how your property taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of your home, view the How Your Property Tax is Calculated video provided by MPAC.

The 2021 Education rate apportionment is 17.7%.

The 2021 Municipal rate apportionment is 40.8%.

The 2021 County rate apportionment is 41.5%.

2021 Tax Rate Breakdown

For more information on the 2021 Tax Rates please contact the Deputy Treasurer.

What is a Tax Sale?

If property taxes remain unpaid for a specific period of time, the Municipal Act provides for the sale of the property. The Municipality registers a Tax Arrears Certificate if taxes remain unpaid on vacant or improved land for two years prior to January 1st of any year. These time lines apply to both residential and non-residential classes of property.

A Tax Arrears Certificate indicates that the property will be sold if taxes, penalties, interest and reasonable costs incurred by the Municipality are not paid within one year of registration of the certificate. Once a certificate has been registered, partial payments cannot be accepted, but a Council approved repayment schedule may be arranged with the owner prior to the expiry of the one-year period.

The Municipality may advertise the property for sale for non-payment of taxes if the cancellation price is not paid within one year of registration of the certificate. Advertisements are generally published in the Peterborough Examiner & the Lakefield Herald, for four consecutive weeks and the Ontario Gazette for one week. Using forms provided by the tax office, the bid plus bid deposit of at least 20% of the tendered amount in the form of certified cheque, money order or bank draft must be submitted in a sealed envelope prior to the specified time. To be eligible, bids must be at least equal to the advertised minimum tender amount. The successful purchaser will be required to pay the amount tendered plus any additional accumulated taxes, penalties and interest since the advertisement, GST if applicable and the relevant land transfer tax.

From the day of notification to the highest bidder, this eligible bidder has 14 days to complete the transaction. All tax properties are sold without warranty and are sold as is. Further information will be made available at the time of advertising of the Tax Sale properties.

For more detailed information please read the following information bulletin.

Need More Information?

Contact the Deputy Treasurer