Residential Property Tax

Residential Property Tax Exemption

Deferral of Property Taxes

Deferral of LIC's Program

2005-2006

Halifax Regional Municipality can help homeowners pay their property tax through a payment plan, a property tax rebate, or deferral of property taxes (payment is put off to a later date). These programs are available to all homeowners with a combined household income of $27,000 or less a year who live within the boundary of Halifax Regional Municipality.

There are different programs to choose from depending on a person's needs. It is important that you know what choices exist. The newsletter lists the different types of programs, who can apply, and how to make an application each year.

The Residential Property Tax Exemption Application form and a newsletter are available each year from HRM Customer Service Centers, the HRM Call Centre, the HRM Grants Program Office, the HRM Financial Services Department and on this website. Each year an advertisement is placed in the newspaper to inform the public that the program is open for applications.

After you have filed your personal income tax for the current income tax year 2004 filed in April 2005 and have received the Notice of Assessment back from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency confirming your income, you can then complete your application.

A copy of this must be submitted with your application form as confirmation of income is required.

Notice of Assessment: this is the Income Tax Summary form that Canada Customs and Revenue Agency sends back to you after you have filed income tax for the year.

This form states your total income and whether or not you owe Canada Customs and Revenue Agency money or are receiveing a refund. If you do not have a copy of your Notice of Assessment from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, you can call 1-800-959-8281 and have one sent to you.

Note: This is not your Notice of Assessment for your property, and is not the Notice of Assessment for GST Rebate, or your child tax credit amount.

Income is determined by the amount of money received, by all members of the family over the age of 18. The gross household income level is set by Regional Council and accounted for under Administrative Order 10, and By-law T-700.

Table "T" can be found on the newletter page 4, with a complete breakdown of income versus taces for the eligible rebate.

The Residential Property Tax Deferral Program allows a homeowner to put off paying part or all of their property taxes due in the current year (the year in which application is made). Once the deferral application is approved and processed no interest is charged on the deferred amount.

The amount of tax deferred is a "lien" against the value of the property. The debt is collected if title to the property is transferred to another owner (such as in an estate settlement, a divorce, tax sale or if the property is re-possessed by a bank). The total amount deferred on a property cannot exceed 75% of the assessed value of the property. An owner can pay off the deferred taxes at any time with no penalty.

All applications received for the Deferral of Property Taxes Program will not be processed until after the final taxation bill has been issued and the payment due date passed, any and all interest on the account for the current year at that time will be reversed.

Interest is not charged on the tax you postpone (defer) in the current fiscal year (April 1st, 2004 to March 31st, 2005). In order to continue to receive the deferral of property taxes, you must renew your application each year.

Local Improvement Charges may be added to a property owner for services such as sewer, water or road work. These charges are paid once a year. If you need help paying for a local improvement charge you may do the following:

1. Set up a payment plan with HRM Financial Services; and

2. Apply for a Deferral of Local Improvement Charges.

A Deferral of Local Improvement Charges allows a homeowner to put off paying the local improvement charge without accumulating further interest on the outstanding amount. The debt is collected if title to the property is transferred to another owner (such as in an estate settlement or a divorce, tax sale or if the property is re-possessed by a bank).

The total amount deferred on a property cannot exceed 75% of the assessed value of the property. In order to continue receiving the deferral of local improvement charges, you must renew your application each year.

Residential Property Tax Exemption by District 2003-2004