Property Taxation
Your property taxes are billed by the Town twice per year, normally in January and June/July of each year, with two payment installations due for each billing.
Your taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of your property, as determined and reported by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). MPAC reports to us among other data, the assessed owner and address, the value and the property class of the property.
Each year, following its budget setting process, the Town approves tax rates for each property class. Your interim bill is based normally on 50% of your prior year taxes, and the final billing issued in June/July is calculated using your assessed value and the approved tax rate, less the interim billing amount. Both the interim billing and the final billing must be paid to satisfy your property tax obligation for the year.
How to pay your property taxes
There are several convenient ways to pay your property taxes. You may pay by computer banking, telephone banking, at your bank branch, by mail, through our after-hours drop box or in person. Please do not send cash in the mail or through our drop box. When paying in person at Aurora Town Hall, you may pay by cash, cheque or debit. We do not accept credit card payments for property taxes. You may also consider our easy pre-authorized payment plan options.
When paying for your property taxes (other than in person), please be sure to allow time for postal delivery or bank processing time. All payments must reach the Town of Aurora's Corporate & Financial Services Department by close of business on the due date, to avoid interest charges being applied.
If your property taxes are to be paid by your mortgage company, it is important for you to forward this property tax billing to them for payment.
Please make cheques payable to: Town of Aurora
Current Value Assessment
Accurate assessments are the cornerstone of the property tax system. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation classifies and values all properties in Ontario under the Assessment Act and regulations established by the provincial government. MPAC is committed to ensuring that every valuation is accurate. If you believe your property assessment is not accurate, they will review it for free. You can make a Request for Reconsideration any time prior to March 31st of each year. If you have any questions or concerns about the assessed value of your property, please contact MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or visit www.mpac.ca
Late Payment Charges
To avoid interest charges, payments must be received by the Corporate & Financial Services Department on or before the due date. A charge of 1.25% will be added on the first day of the calendar month following default and on the first day of each calendar month thereafter, as long as the taxes remain unpaid. Monthly interest charges will be imposed on any unpaid taxes from previous years. Interest rates are levied as per By-law 5233-10 pursuant to section 345 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001 c. 25.
Please be advised that neither Council nor Town Staff have the authority to waive or alter interest charges.
Failure to receive a tax notice does not excuse a taxpayer from the responsibility for payment of the taxes nor relieve the assessed owner of the liability for interest charges due to late payment.
Supplementary Tax Billings
If your home or building is newly constructed, your property may not yet be fully assessed. Once fully assessed, it will be assessed retroactively to your occupancy date, which may be up to three years. Please contact the Revenue Office for additional information and assistance. Failure to make financial plans for these eventual supplementary buildings can be damaging to your credit and your home financing.
Mortgage Company Payments
Some financing companies require that they pay your taxes directly during the term of your mortgage. If this is the case, and you receive your tax billing directly, please contact the Revenue Office, as well as forward the tax bill to your mortgage company for their immediate attention and payment. If you change your mortgage company, please have them contact our office directly to ensure the billings are correctly redirected.
Property Tax Deferral Program for seniors and low-income disabled persons
Are you planning to sell your property this year?
If, during the year the ownership of the property changes hands, please make sure that the person responsible for paying any unpaid taxes receives this bill. Your statement of adjustments prepared on closing by your lawyer indicates the tax obligation of both the vendor and the purchaser.
Forms:
2012 Final Tax Billing Information Brochure
2011 Final Tax Billing Information Brochure
Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan
Property Tax Rebate for Vacancies: Application Form
Property Tax Defferral Program Form
Pre-Authorized Payment Cancellation Form