2003 Interim Tax Billing
WHY DOES THE CITY ISSUE INTERIM TAX LEVIES?
The municipality needs to issue an interim tax levy in February because of financial obligations that must be met prior to approval of the yearly budget. To meet these obligations, we issue an interim bill that is approximately 50% of the previous year's final tax bill. In June, after Council establishes the tax rate for the current year, we will calculate the final bill and deduct the amount paid toward the interim tax bill.
HOW IS MY 2003 INTERIM TAX LEVY CALCULATED?
Your 2003 interim tax levy is based on 50% of your 2002 tax levy. To calculate your bill, we have to do two things:
- Multiply the assessed value of your property for 2003 taxation by the 2003 interim tax rates, and then compare that amount to your 2002 tax levy.
- If the amount is more than 50% of your 2002 levy, an adjustment will be applied to reduce the amount calculated in (1).
In 2002, some properties were levied taxes for only part of the previous year, because assessment was added during the year. In this case, the 2003 interim tax bill was calculated using a restated 2002 tax levy (including the additional taxes that would have been levied on the property, as if it had been levied for the entire year).
For properties not levied taxes in 2002, the 2003 interim tax levy will be calculated using the assessed value of your property multiplied by the 2003 interim tax rate.
WHY DID I RECEIVE TWO BILLS FOR THE SAME PROPERTY?
Most owners will receive only ONE interim tax bill. Tax billings have been split into two groups:
- Uncapped properties, including property assessed in the Residential, Farm, New Multi-Residential, Managed Forests and Pipeline property classes
- Capped properties: including property assessment in the Commercial, Industrial and Multi-residential property classes.
Property owners who have property assessed in both of these groups will receive TWO interim tax bills. To determine your property??s total interim taxes, add together the 2003 Interim Taxes from the Tax Bill summary sections.
If you receive two interim tax bills, please be aware that any arrears or credits will show on both on your capped and uncapped tax bills and must be excluded by you from ONE of the bills when you are calculating your payment.
WHAT IS THE 2003 INTERIM TAX BILLING ADJUSTMENT?
This adjustment prevents your interim taxes from being more than 50% of your total 2002 tax levy. If your tax bill has this adjustment, it may mean your property assessment has increased because of the provincial government reassessment program.
WHAT IS THE PROVINCIAL REASSESSMENT PROGRAM?
All properties in Ontario have been reassessed for 2003 using a base year of June 30, 2001. Notices were mailed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to property owners in November, 2002. The value shown on your 2002 Notice is for 2003 taxation and may result in an increase or a decrease in your property taxes in 2003, or it may have no effect at all. Detailed information about 2003 tax changes resulting from the reassessment and the amounts levied to provide City services will be provided with the Final 2003 Tax Bill in June.
HOW DOES MY PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AFFECT MY PROPERTY TAXES?
Your property's assessment reflects market value and determines the amount of taxes you pay. If you disagree with the assessed value, you may contact Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to discuss your assessment and verify details about your property.
If you still have concerns, you may ask MPAC for a reconsideration of your assessment. There is no fee for a Request for Reconsideration (RFR) and the request may be made at any time during the year. If the reconsideration process results in a change to your assessment, it will be made.
If the reconsideration does not result in a change to your assessment, or if you have not heard from MPAC before March 31, 2003, you can file a formal complaint, together with the appropriate fee, to the Assessment Review Board (ARB).
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY PROPERTY ASSESSMENT OR HOW CAN I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD?
Further information about your property's assessment can be obtained from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) web site at www.mpac.on.ca or by Toll Free Number: 1-866-296-MPAC (6722).
Further information about filing a complaint with the Assessment Review Board (ARB) can be obtained from the ARB website at www.arb.gov.on.ca or by Toll-Free Number: 1-800-263-3237.
WHEN IS THE INTERIM BILL DUE?
The interim bill is due by February 28, 2003. If payment is not received by the due date, a penalty of 1.25% (15% per annum) is calculated on the outstanding taxes and added to those taxes on the 1st day of every month.
HOW IS MY PAYMENT APPLIED WHEN MY ACCOUNT IS IN ARREARS?
Monthly interest charges of 1.25% (15% per annum) will be imposed on any unpaid taxes from prior years. Penalty and interest rates are set by City by-laws pursuant to section 345(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001. When payments are made, they are first applied to any outstanding penalty or interest, and are then applied in payment of taxes, which have been arrears for the greatest period of time. Penalty and interest charges cannot be waived.
HOW CAN I PAY MY TAX BILL?
- By Mail - Simply mail your payment in the return envelope provided with your tax bill. Make your cheque payable to the City of Kingston
- Where you Bank (service charge may apply and your bank may require your tax payment stub): By teller; By ABM (Automated Banking Machine); By telephone and computer (24 hour access from your home ?? contact your bank for details)
- After Hours - 24 hour depository boxes located at 211 Counter Street, 1425 Midland Avenue and Kingston Frontenac Public Library - Pittsburgh Branch (Highway 15 at Gore Rd)
- In person - Municipal Building at 211 Counter Street, and Kingston City Hall at 216 Ontario Street, between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday.
- Pre-authorized Debit Customers: Your bill will indicate you are registered for a pre-authorized debit plan and will tell you whether or not you have to pay.
- Mortgage Company Pays: Your bill will indicate your mortgage company pays your taxes.
WHY HAVEN'T I RECEIVED A BILL?
If you haven't received a tax bill, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
- You purchased your property recently and the bill could have been forwarded to the previous owner through Canada Post
- We do not have your correct mailing address on file
- Your assessment information from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has not been received or is incorrect
WHAT IF I RECEIVE A TAX BILL THAT IS NOT ADDRESSED TO ME?
If you receive a bill that does not belong to you, simply write return to sender on the envelope and place it in your mailbox.
HOW WILL MY FINAL TAX BILL BE CALCULATED?
|
CURRENT VALUE ASSESSMENT |
X |
2003 Applicable Tax Rate for municipal, fire & education portions |
= |
TAX AMOUNT |
Your final tax bill will be mailed in early June and is due June 30, 2003
HOW CAN I PAY MY TAXES USING THE VOLUNTARY PRE-AUTHORIZED DEBIT PLAN?
The Pre-Authorized Debit plan for 2003 began in September 2002 and consisted of 10 equal monthly payments withdrawn from the bank of your choice. To join the current 2003 plan in progress, all property taxes, including the February 2003 interim bill must be paid by the February 28 due date. The remaining portion of your 2003 taxes will be divided equally between the following five months, with your last payment being withdrawn from your bank account on or about June 30, 2003. Should there be a change in municipal taxes, the City of Kingston will send each Pre-Authorized Debit customer a letter notifying them of any adjustments being made to their monthly debit.
I AM ON THE PRE-AUTHORIZED DEBIT PLAN. WHY DID I RECEIVE A BILL WITH A BALANCE OWING?
For Pre-Authorized Debit customers, the interim tax bill will show an amount levied and an amount paid, with the difference being shown in the total owing section. Because this interim bill was sent out prior to the withdrawal of the February debit from your account, the difference should be equal to or less than your monthly debit. Therefore, this is a statement only and does not require you to make any additional payments (unless a previous special arrangement has been made with the Tax Office).
WHAT IF MY BANKING DETAILS CHANGE?
Send in a voided cheque with the new details. The new information must be received before the 15th of the month to be in time to be changed for the next payment.
HOW DO I ARRANGE TO HAVE MY MORTGAGE COMPANY PAY MY TAXES?
If you wish to have your mortgage company pay your taxes on your behalf, simply contact your financial institution and they will initiate the process for you. If you wish to have your mortgage company changed, contact your new financial institution and they will initiate the process for you.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRE-AUTHORIZED DEBIT PLAN?
For more information on the Pre-authorized Debit Plan, please contact the Customer Service Centre at 546-0000.
WHAT TAX ASSISTANCE AND REBATE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?
The following Tax Assistance and Rebate programs are available for certain ratepayers who meet specific criteria. Applications for these programs are available at City Hall, 216 Ontario Street, and the municipal building at 211 Counter Street.
- Seniors Property Tax Grant Program ($100)
- For senior citizens receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (G.I.S.) of the Old Age Security Act. Deadline for 2003 applications is April 30, 2003.
- Residential Tax Deferral Program (up to $1,000)
- For property owners receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program or the Ontario Works Act, or senior citizens receiving a Guaranteed Income Supplement. Deadline for 2003 applications is April 30, 2003.
- Tax Increase Deferral Program for Assessment Related Increases
- For eligible low-income senior citizens receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement or low income disabled persons receiving assistance under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act or the Family Benefits Act of Ontario. Deadline for applications is April 30, 2003.
- Garbage Collection Rebate Program
- For eligible commercial, industrial, institutional, apartment and condominium properties that pay garbage taxes in the City of Kingston. Deadline for 2003 applications is June 30, 2003.
- The City's Operations Department will be instructed not to collect waste from properties where an Application for Waste Collection Rebate has been approved. The Rebate will be payable after November 1, 2003.
- Registered Charity Property Tax Rebate
- For registered charities that are tenants in a commercial or industrial class property. Deadline for the year 2002 applications is February 28, 2003.
- Rebates for Vacant Units in Commercial/Industrial Property
- Owners may apply for rebates subject to eligibility. Deadline for 2002 applications is February 28, 2003.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
If you require additional information please contact our Customer Service Centre at 546-0000. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; or contact us by e-mail at tax@cityofkingston.ca
