Burlington will allow people struggling financially during pandemic to spread out property tax payments

Burlington | Halton | Ontario | Community | Latest News |

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Published January 21, 2022 at 12:56 pm

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For people struggling financially with the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Burlington is offering a little bit of relief.

Council approved a 2022 COVID-19 Property Tax Payment Plan program that offers eligible residents and businesses a monthly, pre-authorized payment plan to assist with the repayment of property tax instalments.

Individuals who continue to face financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic must apply for the 2022 COVID-19 Property Payment Plan program by completing the online application.

The program will allow eligible property owners who are unable to pay their property taxes by the regularly scheduled tax due dates, to make payments under a pre-authorized payment plan.

If eligible, equal monthly withdrawals will be made that will allow for the property taxes to be paid in full by Dec. 1, 2022. No penalty or interest will be applied for the duration of the payment plan as long as payments are made.

“With new COVID-19 variants and changes to provincial restrictions, the City recognizes that residents and businesses continue to face uncertainty and financial pressures,” said the city’s chief financial officer, Joan Ford.

“The goal of the property tax payment plan is to support taxpayers and help ease the burden of meeting the regularly scheduled property tax due dates, without facing penalties.”

Applicants will be required to attest they are experiencing financial hardship directly related to COVID-19, e.g. loss of employment, business closure, prolonged suspension of pay.

Property owners who have an unpaid balance on their tax account from March 1, 2020, onward may include this amount in the property tax payment plan (eligible owners cannot have any property tax amounts owing prior to March 1, 2020).

Eligible property owners have the ability to choose which date they would like the pre-authorized monthly payment plan to begin. Options include March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1 or July 1 (applications are due 10 days prior to the withdrawal date).

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