Property Tax FAQs

Questions About Property Tax

Why am I paying property taxes?
Your tax dollars are a major contributor to the Town of Erin budget, providing funds to pay for the costs of services and facilities that the municipality provides to residents and help fund education
How do I calculate my taxes?
The formula for calculating final taxes is the tax rate multiplied by the assessed value of the home. Interim taxes are 50% of the previous year's taxes. *Note that this is a estimate and may not be reflected on the bills you receive.
Why does my bill show overdue taxes when I just paid?
Your account may indicate overdue taxes for two reasons:
Someone may have entered your information incorrectly
The town may not have yet processed any payments you made before the town mailed the bill.                                                                                    
How do I pay my tax bill?
The Town of Erin offers multiple ways to pay your property tax bills including, online through your financial institution, pre-authorized payment plan, E-Transfer, Cheque/Post-Dated Cheque, and at your financial institution.
What is the penalty/interest rate on a unpaid balance?
The rate on unpaid balances is 1.25% charged to the account after the payment is due and again on the first day of each month until paid. Properly applied Penalty and Interest charges cannot be waived.
What is the Pre-authorized Payment Program and do I qualify?

Due Date – The amount will be deducted directly from your bank account on the installment due date.

Monthly – The previous year’s tax levy, less any credit on account, is divided into 10 equal payments. This amount will be deducted directly from your bank account on the FIRST FRIDAY of each month from January to October. Any remaining balance due for your taxes will be deducted directly from your bank account on the FIRST FRIDAY of November.

User Defined – This is a 12 month plan for Property Tax account in arrears, with the goal of moving to a monthly plan once taxes are current. The negotiated amount is deducted directly from your bank account on the last Friday of the month.

You must have no overdue taxes and cannot have a mortgage company responsible for your payments. All tax amounts due prior to the desired start date must be paid in full or the application will not be processed and will be returned to you. Please complete the Pre-authorized Payment Plan (PAP) using the PDF Form.

The requirements are: a valid chequing account and a void cheque. Credit cards or lines of credit are not acceptable as payment.

Can my taxes be paid through my mortgage company?
Yes. You must make the arrangements with your mortgage company. Contact your mortgage company for further information.
Why haven't I received a tax bill?
When there is delay in receiving information from MPAC, the Town cannot issue a tax bill. This delay can be considerable, with some people not receiving a tax bill for as long as two years after occupancy. Refer to Understanding My Tax Bill for more information. If you wish to have a digital copy of your bill sent to you email: taxes@erin.ca
Is there tax relief available for seniors 
Yes, tax relief for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities is done through the County of Wellington.
What is a supplementary tax bill?
A Supplementary Tax Bill is issued by the Town of Erin, to adjust the tax roll to record a change in assessment. For example, you may receive a Supplementary Tax Bill if you have a newly constructed home; you have renovated or built an addition to your property; or the tax classification of your property has changed. In the case of a new house, it is often assessed effective from the occupancy/closing date. Other scenarios are possible based on the property's assessed value or classification changes as determined by MPAC.​​
How do I get a tax certificate?
To get a tax certificate you can call in or email: taxes@erin.ca along with a payment of $50 *If you need a rushed tax certificate you will be charged an additional $25.
How do I get a tax statement
To get a tax statement you can call in or email: taxes@erin.ca along with a payment of $20
How do I change my school support?
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for updating and maintaining this information. The details are available of MPAC’s website.​
Why have my taxes increased?
Property taxes can increase due to a change in assessment provided by MPAC increasing the value of your property. Taxes can also increase due to a change in the current tax rate.


Questions About Property Assessment

Who is responsible for assessments?
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) administers property assessments in the province of Ontario, Canada. 
How is a home assessed?

To establish your property’s assessed value, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) uses current value assessment to analyze property sales in your community. Most assessment jurisdictions in Canada and throughout the world use the current value assessment. MPAC also looks at the key features of every property. It considers as many as 200 factors when assessing the value of a residential property. Five major factors usually account for 85 per cent of the value:

  • There are five key factors that affect your property's value:

    1. Age of the building, adjusted for any major renovations or additions.
    2. Exterior square footage.
    3. Location.
    4. Lot dimensions.
    5. Quality of construction.

Other factors that can affect your property's value include:

  • primary structures
  • secondary structures
  • site features
  • structural features

MPAC analyzes the key features of your property with sales of comparable properties in your community to determine your assessment.

How often is a property assessed?
MPAC completes a province-wide property assessment based on current value assessment every four years. The last province-wide assessment was completed in 2016. This assessment will apply for four tax years - 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. MPAC may re-assess property during this period or when you have made changes to the property and altered its value. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government has postponed the 2020 Assessment Update. Property assessments for the 2025 property tax year will continue to be based on fully phased-in January 1, 2016 current values.
Can I Appeal a property assessment? 
If you believe that your assessed value is inaccurate, MPAC will review it if you file a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) within 120 days of the issuance date printed on the property assessment notice. There is no fee for this review. To learn more about how MPAC assesses properties or to obtain a form to apply for a Request for Reconsideration, visit www.mpac.ca or call 1.866.296.6722.​
Can I Appeal the RfR results?

Find all Assessment Review Board (ARB) forms and information about how to file forms and pay fees. Visit https://tribunalsontario.ca/arb/​.


Questions about Buying/Selling a Property 

Why is there a ownership fee applied to my tax bill?
The Change of Ownership fee is charged when the ownership of a house, or the name on a deed changes. This includes the change from the builder’s name to the purchasers. Mortgage companies and lawyers do not pay this fee as part of the closing or initial mortgage payment.
How do I estimate the taxes on a new home or a home I want to buy?
The formula for estimating the taxes on a new home is: current tax rate multiplied by the purchase price of the house.
Why is the second tax bill on my newly built home significantly higher than the first?
If MPAC had not assessed your house before the Town billed you, the Town may base taxes on the value of the land only. You will get another bill when MPAC assesses the house. The formula for determining the approximate taxes on a home is the tax rate multiplied by the purchase price of the house. To find out about property assessment, please contact the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) at 1-866-296-6722 or www.mpac.ca.
My house has sold, how do I calculate what taxes I have to pay?
Your lawyer will do a statement of adjustment, which will show what portion of the tax bill the current owner is responsible for and what the new owner will be required to pay. The lawyers will make these adjustments at the closing. Owners are required to make all tax payments as they are due up to the date of closing.

*For more help with your taxes email: taxes@erin.ca 

Tax Help