If you live in the City of Ottawa, you have received or will soon be receiving a link to answer questions about properties you own. It is important you complete these within the time allowed or face financial penalties.
All residential property owners will be required to register the status of their property during the previous year; if no declaration is made, the property will be deemed vacant and will be subject to the tax.
The tax does not apply to, but a declaration is still required for:
- Principal Residence Â
- Tenanted properties Â
- Properties occupied by a family member, friend, or other resident using it as their principal residence
- Properties qualifying for one of the available exemptions
If the residential property has been declared or deemed vacant for more than 184 days in the previous calendar year and does not meet one of the exceptions outlined below, then the Vacant Unit Tax will be applied to your property.
All declarations must be completed by March 21, 2024. Late declarations are subject to a late declaration fee of $250. If you do not complete your declaration, your property will be deemed vacant, and you will be charged the Vacant Unit Tax on the Final Tax bill in June 2024.
The first year the tax will be payable is 2023, based on the status of the property in 2022. The tax will be calculated at a rate of 1% of the property’s assessed value, and the tax will be applied to the Final Tax Bill, which is due on the third Thursday of June (June 15 in 2023).
If you are planning on selling your home this year your lawyer will ask you to provide a copy of your declaration.
For more information check the City of Ottawa webite.