The by-law includes provisions for penalties for failure to pay and fines for various offences.
Late Payment, Interest Charges & Fees
Interest applies to any overdue Vacant Home Tax amount at a rate of 1.25 per cent on the first day of default and on the first day of each month thereafter, for as long as taxes or charges remain unpaid.
Upon default of payment, the unpaid amount will be added to the property tax roll for the residential property and will be collected in the same manner as property taxes.
A Dishonoured Cheque Processing / Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee will be applied to all payments that are not honoured by a financial institution.
Late Declarations
If your property status declaration is not made by the declaration deadline of February 2, 2023, a fine of $250 will be issued.
You will have an opportunity to submit a late declaration and based on your response, you may receive a supplementary Vacant Home Tax Notice.
Failure to make a declaration will result in your property being deemed vacant. Once deemed vacant, your property will be subject to the tax and you will be issued a Vacancy Tax Notice.
Fines
Being found guilty of breaking any of the following offences will result in a fine of $250 to $10,000 for each offence, including:
- Failure to make a Declaration as required.
- Making or agreeing in the making of false or deceptive statements in a declaration.
- Altering, hiding or disposing of any records, in order to evade payment or remittance of tax.
- Making or agreeing in the making of false entries or omission of information.
- Wilfully, in any manner, evading or attempting to evade:
- paying tax
- otherwise complying with the by-law.
