Property Taxes

NOTICE: Springwater waives penalties and interest for property tax and water/wastewater payments coming due

During a Special Council Meeting on March 25, Springwater Council voted in favour of providing relief to residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, through the waiving of penalties and interest for property tax and water/wastewater payments coming due.

Council has authorized:

Penalties and interest not be applied on May 1 and June 1 for unpaid property taxes that are due April 22, 2020; and,
Penalties and interest not be applied on April 1, May 1 and June 1 for water/wastewater bills that are due between March 31 and May 31, 2020; and,
NSF charges be waived for payments that are returned from April 1 to May 31, 2020; and,
Residents be able to temporarily withdraw from pre-authorized debit plans without penalty from March 26 to May 31, 2020.

Anyone who wishes to temporarily withdraw from pre-authorized debit plans or cancel a post-date cheque, must do so in writing by emailing taxes@springwater.ca. Anyone who does not have access to e-mail is asked to please call 705-728-4784 Ext. 2024.

Anyone who is in the position to make payments is able to do so online through My Springwater, at most financial institutions and through some third-party providers. Cheques may also be left in the drop box located at the Township Administration Centre.

The Township of Springwater issues an interim tax bill and final tax bill each year. Instalments are due:

February 19, 2020 and April 22, 2020 for the interim tax bill
July and September for the final tax bill

Failure to receive a tax bill does not excuse an owner from payment, or relieve them from any late payment charges. If you do not receive your bill, please contact the Finance Department.

Payments

You must pay your taxes by the due date. A late payment charge applies to all past due taxes at a rate of 1.25% each month. If your mortgage company or other third party pays your taxes, forward the bill immediately to them for payment.

We now accept payment by credit card through the third-party Paytm platform (convenience fee applies). No need to create an account. Learn more.

Payment options

Pay your taxes in any of the following ways:

Through your My Springwater account
Through a pre-authorized debit (PAD) plan
By credit card through the third-party Paytm platform (convenience fee applies)
By mail to the municipal office (cheques only)
In person during operating hours by cash, cheque and debit (after-hours drop box available)
At your bank:
- Telebanking (requires 19-digit roll number)
- Internet banking (requires 19-digit roll number)
- Direct payment (provide your tax bill)

PAD plans will not withdraw supplemental or omitted tax bills automatically unless you contact the Township with authorization.

Supplemental and omitted tax bills

The Township bills supplementary and omitted assessments separately from the regular billing cycle, and issues them throughout the year. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) provides the Township with supplementary or omitted assessment values for the current year and up to two years prior when:

Land value is omitted from the assessment roll
Use of the property changes
Property is improved due construction, an addition, or renovation

You will receive a Property Assessment Change Notice from MPAC informing you of the supplemental or omitted assessed value and date. Supplementary or omitted property tax bills are typically due in two instalments regardless of the number of years for which you are billed.

Estimate your supplementary or omitted tax bill for a new property

MPAC determines your assessed value. If you haven't received your notice of supplementary assessment value from MPAC, you can use the purchase price as a guide to set aside funds in anticipation of receiving a supplementary or omitted tax bill. As an estimate, multiply the purchase price (or supplementary assessment value) by the applicable year's tax rate.

Tax rates and capping parameters

The Township calculates your tax bill by multiplying your property assessment value by the tax rate, and adding the policing services charge. If you don't agree with the value of your property assessment, contact MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or visit MPAC online.

Tax rates and capping parameters

Tax rates:

Capping parameters:

Tax account information

Change of address

To have property tax bills sent to a different address, please submit a completed Change of Address form.

Change of ownership

To change ownership information, please contact the Land Registry Office at 705-725-7232.

Fees

The following fees are associated with property tax services:

Non-sufficient funds (NSF) charge $20
Copy of tax bill $10
Statement of account $10

Paperless billing and e-services

My Springwater is an online self-service platform that allows residents to sign up for paperless billing notifications, view their property tax account balance and make payments online.

To sign up:

Visit My Springwater
Click the ‘Sign In' button
Select ‘Active Your Account With Us'

You will need a copy of your tax bill showing your roll number and customer ID to register.

Tax assessment appeal

If you disagree with your property assessment, file a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) with MPAC or appeal to the Assessment Review Board (ARB) by their deadline.

Tax certificates

Tax certificates are available upon written request and payment of the applicable fee. We fax and mail tax certificates once complete.

Fees

Tax certificate fees and response times are:

Regular $50 – within 10 business days from receipt of request and payment
Rush $100 – within 2 business days from receipt of request and payment