COVID-19 Updates for our Partners
This page contains news on how MPAC is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and includes shareable resources for you to use on your own platforms to share with property owners and your members.
As COVID-19 continues to impact communities across Ontario, we continue to be available to take your calls and assist you online. Our offices are open to the public by appointment only. To arrange an appointment, please contact us.
How MPAC is Responding to Requests for Tax Relief
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt economic activity, some property owners and their representatives are exploring available options for tax relief, including by filing a municipal tax application or Request for Reconsideration.
Here is what you need to know about how MPAC is responding to these requests for the 2023 property tax year.
Municipal Tax Applications
In situations where a building withstands damage by fire, demolition or otherwise that renders it substantially unusable, a property owner may file an application with their municipality to cancel, reduce or refund property taxes based on specific criteria in accordance with Section 357(1)(d)(ii) of the Municipal Act.
MPAC’s role in the municipal tax application process is to provide factual information to the municipality to assist the decision-maker in determining whether a tax refund, cancellation or reduction is warranted.
In the case of tax applications citing COVID-19, MPAC will review applications provided by municipalities and determine whether any information exists demonstrating there was physical damage to a building on the land during the applicable taxation year. Where MPAC has no record of any physical damage to a building, MPAC will provide the current value assessment as returned for the subject property for the 2022 tax year.
Any influence the COVID‐19 pandemic may have on property values was not in effect on January 1, 2016 – the current legislated valuation date. For that reason, MPAC will not adjust a property’s current value assessment as a result of COVID-19.
Requests for Reconsideration Citing COVID-19
Every property owner has the option to file a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) for every taxation year, if they disagree with their property assessment or classification. MPAC reviews and responds to every RfR it receives.
However, any influence the COVID-19 pandemic may have on property values was not in effect on January 1, 2016 - the current legislated valuation date. For that reason, RfRs that exclusively cite COVID-19 will not result in a value change for the 2023 property tax year.
MPAC property inspections
We have resumed property inspections in Ontario communities. These inspections provide us the opportunity to validate data that cannot be collected through other means to help ensure we can continue to achieve our commitments and service targets.
Assessment Update postponed
As part of the Ontario Government’s Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, on November 4, 2021, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board, announced the Province’s decision to once again postpone a province-wide property assessment update due to the pandemic.
Property assessments for the 2023 property tax year will continue to be based on January 1, 2016 current values. This means your property assessment remains the same as it was for the 2022 tax year, unless there have been changes to your property, for example:
- A change to your property including an addition, new construction, or renovation.
- A structure on your property was assessed for the first time
- A change to your property’s classification
- A property no longer qualifies as farmland, conservation land or managed forests
- All or part of your property no longer qualifies to be tax exempt
MPAC will continue to maintain a comprehensive database and deliver property values, insights and services, which enable organizations and municipalities to make smart decisions.
We also continue to support the 444 municipalities across the province with assessing new properties, renovations, and property improvements to support the management of their assessment base.
Stay in touch with us
Read our monthly municipal newsletter, InTouch.
Attend our municipal webinars held at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month and more frequently as needed. Missed one of our monthly webinars? They are all recorded and made available on our YouTube channel.
Follow us on our social media channels
We’re here to help
Municipal Partners
Your local Municipal and Stakeholder Relations team is always available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your MPAC Account Manager.
Industry Partners
If you have any questions or concerns, please email industry@mpac.ca.
MPAC Products and Services
If you have any questions regarding MPAC products or services, please email propertyline@mpac.ca.
