The Halifax Regional Municipality has made significant changes in the way we operate, resulting in a more business-like approach to running the Municipality. We are constantly looking for ways of improving and doing things better. In looking at service priorities, one of the areas we have considered is the way the HRM accepts and processes payments for taxes and local improvement charges.  In the last few years, the HRM has increased the number of methods to paying bills. Citizens can now pay their bills by using telephone banking services, your personal computer, Interac banking machines, through your financial institutions, as well as the usual in-person payment and mail-in/drop-off options. Pre-Authorized account transactions are becoming a budgetary tool for an increasing number of people. Many people have direct deposit arrangements for their pay cheque and for federal government payments such as GST refunds and child tax credits. Pre-authorized withdrawal for utility, insurance and cable payments are also very popular. The Halifax Regional Municipality is now offering this payment option to the citizens to increase customer services.

Tax Due Date Program

This program allows the customer to pay their taxes on the due dates each year by signing an agreement to withdraw the actual amount of each bill - the Interim and the Final Tax Bill. The tax account must be current prior to selecting this option.

The due dates are normally the last working day of April and the last working day of October each year.

Monthly Withdrawal or Bi-Weekly Withdrawal

This program can serve as a substitute for customers who currently pay their taxes or local improvement charges via post-dated cheques. This will save these customers both the cost of their cheques and postage while adding convenience. To assist in budgeting; this program can also be used to make monthly payments on your accounts.

The Pre-Authorized Payment Enrollment Form must be signed indicating the type of withdrawal, monthly or bi-weekly amount and date the payment is to be withdrawn. The amount will be automatically transferred from your financial institution to your accounts with us. You will receive your regular billings to maintain your payment records.

**Please note**

Interest will be charged on outstanding balances as applicable.

If your PAP returns from the bank, a fee of $40.00 is applied to your account. Also, under the Canadian Payment Assoc. regulations two NSF automatic debits result in cancellation of the program.

If you have a payment posting inquiry, questions, or comments you may phone 311 or you may email us at cashmgmt@halifax.ca  

Pre Authorized Payment Form

To change your banking information, please provide a new void cheque at least fifteen (15) business days prior to your next monthly payment.

If you wish to cancel your pre-authorized payments and/or if you sell your property, we require notice of cancellation within fifteen (15) business days prior to the next scheduled payment. You can do this by calling 311 from within Nova Scotia. Payment may not be eligible for return after the closing date.

Once you begin the pre-authorized payment program, it will automatically continue unless you contact the Halifax Regional Municipality with a request for cancellation.

The Pre-Authorized Payment Plan on the monthly/biweekly option is based on 12/26 equal payments running from Nov to Oct. Your monthly/biweekly payments start going toward your next year’s interim bill which would be due the last business day of April. This would be 6/13 payments, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. and Apr. Then, your next 6/13 payments, May, Jun., Jul., Aug., Sept., and Oct., go toward your final bill, due the last business day of October.

It is important that all tax payers on Pre-Authorized Payment(PAP), examine their final bill to make sure they do not have a balance owing at October 31st.  If so, you should make sure you pay the balance so your tax account remains current. Interest will be charged on outstanding balances as applicable.

Pre Authorized Payment Plan form is in PDF format . To view these files, you need Adobe Acrobat reader.

You may input your information then print the Pre Authorized Payment Form, then take your completed form and void cheque, to a Customer Service Center or mail them to:

Halifax Regional Municipality
Payment Processing
PO Box 1749
Halifax NS B3J 3A5

or fax to:  (902) 490-4005 - ATTN: Cash Management

If you require assistance, call 311 from within Nova Scotia or email us at Cash Management