The 2020 deadlines for challenging property tax assessments in Alberta, Québec, New Brunswick, and Ontario are quickly approaching.
Alberta
Property owners and tenants in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer should have received assessment notices in January that reflect a market value using a base date of July 1, 2019. The deadline for appealing the notice of assessment is 60 days from the mailing date of the notice. For Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer, the appeal deadline is March 10, 2020. Taxpayers have an annual right of review for all municipal jurisdictions in Alberta.
Ontario
In Ontario, property owners and tenants have until March 31, 2020 to file an appeal or request for reconsideration to challenge their property tax assessments. If you are an owner and any portion of your property is taxed at a rate other than the commercial or industrial tax rate, you cannot file a formal appeal. You will be required to file a request for reconsideration to protect your right to challenge the assessment.
In Ontario, current property tax assessments should reflect a market value base date of January 1, 2016 for tax years 2017 to 2020. However, the assessment value should also be equitable to that of similar properties in the same vicinity.
Québec
Owners and tenants in Québec municipalities conducting revaluations in 2019, including the City of Montréal, have until April 30, 2020 to challenge their property tax assessments. To initiate a challenge, a request for review must be filed by the end of April. Property tax assessments for Montréal issued in 2019 should reflect a market value base date of July 1, 2018.
It’s important to note that Québec does not have an annual right of review for property tax purposes. Therefore, it’s critical to file a request for review if you disagree with an assessment. Otherwise, the assessment value will be locked in for three years.
If you are a tenant in a property currently undergoing a revaluation, you have certain rights in relation to a property tax assessment review. If you are the sole occupant of a leased property in Québec, you possess the same rights as the owner with respect to having the assessment reviewed. Whether you are the only occupant or share a property with other tenants, you should consider having an audit of any taxes or operating expenses charged back or allocated to you by the landlord. This is a common practice for tenants and can help ensure that all chargebacks are consistent with the provisions of the lease agreement.
New Brunswick
Property tax assessments for New Brunswick jurisdictions are expected to be sent out on March 1, 2020, reflecting a market value base date of January 1, 2020. Properties are revalued annually in New Brunswick. Appeals must be filed no later than 30 days from the mailing date of the assessment (i.e., by March 31, 2020).
Key Considerations
When reviewing any Canadian property tax assessment and considering whether it should be challenged, ask yourself the following questions:
- Has the assessment been reviewed or appealed in recent years?
- Is the assessment equitable with that of similar properties?
- Have all economic changes in the market been properly reflected in the valuation?
- Are non-assessable items, such as machinery and equipment, included in the assessment calculation?
- Is the tax classification correct?
- How does the assessment compare to recent sales or listing activity in the area?
- Has there been any demolition or contamination during the tax years covered by the assessment?
More Information
For a list of important Canadian Property Tax dates and deadlines, please visit the Ryan Canada website at:
2020 Provincial Assessment Review Deadlines and Pertinent Dates
For more information or to discuss your current situation, please contact your Ryan account representative or the Ryan TaxDirect® line at 1.800.667.1600.