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Township of Brock Corporate Policy
Policy Name: Tax Rebates, Reductions and Refunds Policy
Policy Type: Finance
Policy Number: F25
Reference: C-2025-434
Date Approved: November 24, 2025
Date Revised:
Approval By: Council
Point of Contact: Tax Collector | Manager of Accounting
1.0 Purpose/ Background
The purpose of this policy is to outline standardized practices that will ensure a transparent and
efficient process for the reductions, rebates and refunds of property taxes.
2.0 Policy Statement
The Township of Brock ("the Township") collects property taxes from property owners on behalf
of the Township, the Region of Durham, the area school boards. The Township is responsible to
ensure effective reductions, rebates and refunds of property taxes in accordance with the
Municipal Act, 2001.
This policy is implemented in accordance with governing legislation and any incongruence
between the policy and the governing legislation, the provisions of the governing legislation will
prevail.
3.0 Scope/Application
This policy establishes all aspects of the reduction, rebates and refunds process and identifies
the responsibilities for tax billing and collection in accordance with:
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Township of Brock Budgetary and Policy Requirements
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Township of Brock Customer Service Standards
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Township of Brock By-laws
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The Municipal Act, 2001
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The Municipal Affairs Act
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The Assessment Act
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The Education Act
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Farm Debt Mediation Act
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
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Any new legislation pertaining to property tax collection.
This policy is written in compliance with the Municipal Act, 2001 ("M.A."), related to Ontario
Regulations made under the M.A. and applicable Township by-laws, as amended from time to
time.
4.0 Definitions
Collection Costs - is the total costs incurred by the Township to obtain further information for
collection purposes in compliance with the regulations during the tax sale registration process.
This includes, and is not limited to, title search fees, corporate search fees, registered mail,
administrative charges, legal costs, registration fees, tax sale administration fees and the like.
Due Date - is the date that the property tax bill (interim, final and supplementary) installments
are due to be paid to the Township.
Extension Agreement - is an agreement between the Township and the ratepayer (or party of
interest) to extend the period in which the cancellation price is to expire. This agreement freezes
the tax sale registration ("T.S.R.") process. An extension agreement outlines the details of the
payment plan set in place to remit payments on the T.S.R. file to clear the balance owing. This
type of agreement becomes void if one payment is missed, and the T.S.R. file continues from
the point where the agreement was frozen in the tax sale process.
Interest - is the amount added to the unpaid levies from prior years in accordance with M.A. (S.
345).
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation ("M.P.A.C.") - is responsible for accurately
assessing and classifying properties in Ontario in compliance with the Assessment Act and
regulations set by the Government of Ontario.
Low Income Senior - is a property owner that is 65 years of age prior to December 31st of the
applicable year and receives the Guaranteed Income Supplement (G.I.S.) from Canada
Revenue Agency.
Penalties - are the amount added to the unpaid levies from the current year in accordance with
M.A. (S. 345).
Property Taxes - are the total amount of levies calculated for Township, Region and School
Board purposes and includes all amounts added to the tax roll as permitted by the Municipal
Act, 2001. Property taxes are calculated based on the current value assessment ("C.V.A.")
determined by M.P.A.C., multiplied by the tax rate as determined by the Township, Regional
Council and the Minister of Finance in relation to education.
Tax Arrears - are the unpaid property taxes after the due date has passed.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
5.0 Responsibilities
The Director of Finance | Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Tax Collector | Manager of Accounting
and Treasury staff are responsible to ensure that the property tax collection processes outlined
in this policy are adhered to as well as all the applicable legislation. The Director of Finance |
Treasurer has been appointed as the Treasurer of the Township of Brock and thereby
authorized specific duties of the treasurer as outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended.
The Tax Collector | Manager of Accounting is responsible for:
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Ensuring this policy remains in compliance with legislation
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Ensuring Township staff are following this policy
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Assessing overdue property tax accounts regularly to ensure tax collection processes
are performed in accordance with this policy
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Ensuring, where appropriate, that the Current Value Assessment as determined by
MPAC is correct.
The property owner is responsible for:
- Ensuring the current value assessment as determined by M.P.A.C. is correct
- Ensuring the mailing address is correct
- Ensuring the levies are paid by the due dates
- Ensuring the other assessment roll content is correct with M.P.A.C. (i.e. tenants, acreage,
realty tax class)
6.0 Practice/Procedures
TAX REBATES
6.1 Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors - M.A. (S. 319)
This is a property tax relief program available to low-income senior property owners that submit
the application prior to the deadline each year. The deadline to apply for this rebate is
September 30 of the year following the year of application. This program provides an annual
rebate amount to be applied to the property tax account reducing the tax liability for the property
owner. The rebate amount is indexed annually and interested parties can contact the Tax
Collector annually for the current rebate amount. The eligibility criteria are:
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Applicant must own the property for a minimum of 1 year prior to December 31st;
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Applicant must be 65 years of age prior to December 31 of current year;
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Applicant must receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (G.I.S.) - proof must be
attached to application;
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Applicable tax account must be paid in full for the year of the rebate application;
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Application must be received by Township of Brock Treasury prior to deadline;
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Only one applicant will be accepted per property; and
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Only one application will be accepted per applicant per year.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
6.2 Registered Charity Rebate - M.A. (S. 361)
This is a property tax rebate program available to registered charitable organizations occupying
commercial or industrial classes within the Township. The deadline to apply for this rebate is the
last business day in February of the year following the year of application. This program
provides an annual minimum tax rebate of 40% of the property taxes applicable to the tax
liability for the space occupied by the charitable organization. The eligibility criteria are:
-
Applicant must own the property or be a tenant of the property (where the applicant is
the tenant - property taxes paid by tenant document must be provided);
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Applicant must provide the Charity Registration Number issued by the Canada Revenue
Agency; and
-
Application must be received by Township of Brock Treasury prior to deadline.
6.3 Veterans Rebate - A.A. (S. 6.1)
The Assessment Act section 6.1 provides that land that is used and occupied as a memorial
home, clubhouse or athletic grounds by persons who served in the armed forces of His or Her
Majesty or an ally of His or Her Majesty in any war is exempted from taxation in the
circumstances and to the extent described in this section.
6.4 Rental Reductions
The Residential Tenancies Act provides that when a rental building of seven units or more has a
reduction of 2.49% in property taxes, the reduction is passed down to the tenants in the form of
lowering their rent. The role of Township Treasury in this legislation is to provide the property
owners that own such rental units the annual notice of the lower taxes. The property owners
would then pass down the savings in the form of a rent reduction to their tenants. Further details
on this tax reduction can be found at Ontario Home and Community.
6.5 Property Tax Deferral for Low Income Seniors - M.A. (S. 319)
This is a property tax deferral program for the purposes of relieving financial hardship by
providing for deferrals or other relief in respect of all or part of a tax increase for 1998 and
subsequent years on property in the residential/farm class. This is for persons assessed as
owners who are, or whose spouses are low-income seniors as defined in the by-law as defined
in the by-law.
The Regional reassessment deferral program eligibility criteria states that the applicant must be
65 years or older and must get the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement. Under this
program, eligible residential homeowners may be able to defer annual reassessment related tax
increases, in excess of five percent or $100, on their personal residence.
Under this program, full payment of the deferral will be due to the Township of Brock upon
ownership transfer.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
There are provincial programs that assist property owners by reducing property taxes. These
are not administered by the Township of Brock. To qualify for the reductions, property owners
must satisfy the specific criteria as outlined by the Provincial Ministry, Agency or Association.
6.6 Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (C.L.T.I.P.)
If a property owner owns land identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources as eligible for the
Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program, they are eligible for a property tax exemption for the
area of land that has been declared as conservation land.
To qualify, the Ministry of Natural Resources must identify the land as being or having a
component of a provincially significant natural feature. The exception is lands identified as
"escarpment natural area" by the Niagara Escarpment Commission and found in the Niagara
Escarpment Plan.
Provincially Significant Land is identified in this program as:
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Provincially significant wetland
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Provincially significant area of natural and scientific interest
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Land designated as escarpment natural area in the Niagara escarpment plan
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Habitat of endangered species
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Community conservation lands, being at least ½ acre in size.
An application is sent by the Ministry of Natural Resources to the property owner at the same
time each year on lands that have been identified as conservation lands. The program is
voluntary, and the application must be submitted prior to the required deadline. Further details
can be found on the Ministry of Natural Resources website.
6.7 The Farm Property Class Program
Farm properties that satisfy the eligibility requirements are taxed at the Farm Property Class tax
rate which is between 1% to a maximum of 25% of the residential property tax class rate, as set
by Regional Council. This is based on the annual approved tax rate for the residential tax class
as decided by Council. The farm residence and one acre of land surrounding it will continue to
be taxed as part of the residential class.
Eligible Farm Property Class tax rate criteria are that the property must be assessed as
farmland. This is determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (M.P.A.C.).
The property must also be used as part of a farming operation generating Gross Farm Income
of at least $7,000 per annum as reported to the Canada Revenue Agency (C.R.A.) for income
tax purposes. There are other ownership criteria that should also be consulted when
considering the Farm Property Class. The Farm business operating on the property must have a
valid Farm Business Registration number and must register annually with AGRICORP.
Continued eligibility for the farm property tax class tax rate requires the yearly renewal of the
Farm Business Registration Number.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
All property owners are responsible for informing the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affaires (O.M.A.F.R.A.) immediately of any changes related to the eligibility status of the
property.
For more information concerning the farm property class, property owners should contact
O.M.A.F.R.A. For more information concerning the Farm Business Registration, property
owners should contact AGRICORP.
6.8 Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)
This program is a voluntary program available to landowners who own four hectares or more of
forest land, and who agree to prepare and follow a Managed Forest Plan for their property.
Under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, the property is reassessed and classified as
Managed Forest and taxed at 25% of the municipal tax rate set for properties in the residential
class.
Property owners who wish to participate must agree to certain conditions including preparing
and following their Managed Forest Plan for their forest. The Ontario Woodlot Association and
the Ontario Forestry Association are partners in the delivery of this program and handle most of
the public inquiries and program administration. For more information concerning the Ontario
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, property owners should contact the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Forestry.
TAX REDUCTIONS
6.9 Municipal Application for Adjustment of Taxes - M.A. (S. 357)
This is a municipal application for adjustment of property taxes and provides for the Township of
Brock to accept applications for cancellation or reduction of property taxes under certain
eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are clearly outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001 as
amended. Township Treasury will assist applicants with the form completion ensuring eligibility
and supporting documentation requirements. Changes made to the property taxes through this
process do not change the roll return for the following year, the assessment would return to the
M.P.A.C. assessed current value. The reasons for application permitted are:
(a)
as a result of a change event, as defined in the Assessment Act, during the taxation
year, and no supplementary assessment is made in respect to the change event thereby
ceasing to be liable to be taxed at a rate it was taxed
(b)
the land has become vacant or excess land during the year
(c)
the land has become exempt during the year
(d) (i) the building on the land was razed by fire, demolition or otherwise
(d) (ii) the building on the land was damaged by fire, demolition or otherwise to render it
substantially unusable for the purpose which it was used immediately prior to the
damage
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Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
(d.1) sickness or extreme poverty (Municipality may seek assistance through the Assessment
Review Board Tribunal)
(e)
mobile unit on the land was removed during year after the return of the assessment roll
(f)
a person was overcharged due to a gross or manifest error that is clerical or factual in
nature, including the transposition of figures, a typographical error or similar error but not
in judgement in assessing the property; or
(g)
repairs or renovation preventing normal use for period of at least three months during
the year.
An application under this section must be filed with Township Treasury on or before the last day
of February of the year following the year in respect of which the application is being made.
This municipal application also includes supplementary and omitted assessment overcharges
as outlined in section 358 of the Municipal Act, 2001 as amended. The municipal application for
adjustment can correct current year assessment plus one or both two years preceding the year
in which the application is made caused by the gross or manifest error in the preparation of the
assessment roll that is clerical or factual in nature.
6.10 Exemption from Property taxes
The Assessment Act outlines the legislation and provides M.P.A.C. with the regulations to
manage the properties that are exempt from property taxes through the eligibility criteria.
Certain properties are exempt, such as:
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Crown lands
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Cemeteries, burial sites
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Religious or municipal cemetery land
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Crematoriums
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Churches (places of worship)
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Public education institutions
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Public hospitals
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Highways
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Toll highways
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Municipal property
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Charitable institutions
For confirmation of classification of a certain property, the property owner should contact
M.P.A.C. directly. As outlined on the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation website:
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Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
"In determining the tax liability of a property, consideration must be given to who owns the land,
who occupies the land and for what purpose they occupy the land. To qualify for exemption, the
land must typically be "owned, used and occupied" by the exempt body. Where land is occupied
by a tenant, exemption may not be applicable. The onus is on the property owner to
demonstrate that it falls under one of the exemptions contained in section 3(1) of the
Assessment Act to be exempt from property tax"
7.0 Property Tax Refunds
Property owners seeking a refund on their tax account must submit the request in writing to
Township Treasury. This can be done using the online form, writing an email to [email protected]
or regular mail. Proof of payment must be attached to the refund request. Refunds are issued to
the property owner as registered at the Land Registry Office.
Eligibility
Refund requests will be considered on account with credit balances. The User Fees & Charges
By-law outlines the user fee for refund processing, and this fee will be applied to all refund
requests. Erroneous tax payments will be reviewed for consideration and where applicable
treated in this same manner.
Property tax adjustments will be issued a statement of account showing the adjustment made
on the tax account. The statement of account will provide the options available to the property
owner because of the tax adjustment and provide a 30-day period to respond. The tax account
status will determine the eligibility for a refund. Property owners will be expected to respond to
Township Treasury by email or in writing to one of the options outlined on their statement of
account. If no response is received, the credit will remain on the tax account for application to
the next levying transaction.
Tax accounts on pre-authorized debit payment plans will be subject to the CANPAY
requirements of 90 day or 10-day hold depending on whether they are residential or
commercial, respectively. Further information is available on the Payments Canada website.
Where a property has been transferred, a letter of indemnity and the statement of adjustments
from the law office that completed the title transfer will be required to review the refund request.
This policy is intended to inform and assist property owners with the review of their property,
ensuring the assessment, the classification and the use is correctly determined by M.P.A.C.
This policy is not meant to be exhaustive and is based on the most frequent programs utilized to
manage assessments. The onus is on the property owner to ensure their assessment details
are correct. Property owners seeking guidance with any of the information outlined in this policy
can contact Township Treasury for assistance.
To ensure that all taxpayers are treated fairly and equitably, the Director of Finance | Treasurer
or his/her designate, has the authority to exercise discretion in the application of this policy,
provided this discretion is in accordance with all applicable legislation.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected].
8.0 References
Region of Durham
Township of Brock - Property Tax
Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
Municipal Act, 2001
Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990
Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
Payments Canada
Province of Ontario - Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
Province of Ontario - Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program
Province of Ontario - Agricorp