Residents in all municipalities are required to pay municipal property taxes. The funds collected are used to ensure the Town can provide a variety of local services including road maintenance and repairs, parks and trails, fire services, and more.
To learn more about the Town's property tax collection, please review and navigate through the information below. For more information, please contact the Finance Department.
Tax Bills
The Town issues two tax bills each year. Each tax bill has two installments. Please remember to keep tax bills for your records. Reprints are $10 each.
To review the 2024 Property Tax Rates for The Blue Mountains, please download the 2024 Property Tax Rates document.
The Interim Tax Bills are sent out late in February and are based on 50% of last year’s taxes. The Interim Tax Bill due dates for 2024 are March 22, 2024 and May 22, 2024.
The Annual (Final) Tax Bills are sent out in early July. The bill includes total taxes and special charges for the year, minus the interim amount. The Final Tax Bill due dates for 2024 are August 22, 2024, and October 22, 2024.
If there have been changes to your property assessment due to new construction in the year or the previous two years, you will receive a Supplementary Tax Notice based on the supplementary or omitted assessment. The Supplementary Due Date(s) for these bills will be at least 21 days after the date of the notice.
Property Tax Information
Detailed account information and e-billing sign-up for property taxes and utility bills are now available through the new Virtual Town Hall service portal.
Please have your customer ID from a tax or utility bill and your name exactly as it appears on the bill handy when you login.
Click to View: Virtual Town Hall
Taxes can be paid through a Pre-Authorized Payment Plan. To sign up for the Monthly Pre-Authorized Payment Plan, please complete the Tax Pre-Authorized Form and return it to the Finance Department along with a void cheque or pre-authorized debit form.
Pre-Authorized Payment Plan Options
Plan #1 – Ten Monthly Withdrawals
The amount of your previous year’s taxes will be automatically withdrawn in ten equal installments, on the first day of each month – January through July. A letter indicating this amount will be mailed in early December.
In July, when the final tax amount for the year is levied, the monthly payment amount will be recalculated and a letter will be mailed to you. This new payment amount will be withdrawn on the first day of August through to October.
This monthly plan must be set up by November of the previous year – it is not possible to enroll in the monthly payment plan mid-year.
Plan #2 – Four Withdrawals on the Due Dates
On each of four due dates - the ends of March, May, August and October - the tax installment will be automatically withdrawn from your bank account.
Important Notes:
- You are eligible for Pre-Authorized Payments if you do not have outstanding taxes;
- Once you enroll in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan you do not have to reapply every year;
- Those on Pre-Authorized Payments will continue to receive Interim and Final Tax Notices for your records;
- If you've sold your property or changed locations, you or your financial institution must contact the Town to update the account information or remove the pre-authorization, otherwise you might pay the new owner's taxes.
Can't remember if you signed up for Pre-Authorized Payments?
Please check your tax bill. It will say on the stub:
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Have questions about payment options?
Please see below for more information on these and other payment options.
In addition to Pre-Authorized Payment Plans, you can pay your Town of The Blue Mountains Property Tax Bill in a number of ways.
In-Person
Your payment can be paid in person at the Finance reception desk on the main floor of Town Hall, located at 32 Mill Street, Thornbury. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Direct debit is accepted; credit cards are not accepted. Cheque or money order payments can be deposited in the box marked ‘After Hours Mail’ outside the east doors.
By Mail
Send your cheque/money order payable to The Blue Mountains to:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Main Floor - Finance
32 Mill Street, PO Box 310
Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0Please include the payment stub, or indicate the tax account roll number on the payment. Please mail your cheque to Town Hall early enough to be received before the deadline. Cheques may be post-dated to ensure timely payment processing.
By Courier
Send your payment to:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Main Floor - Finance
32 Mill Street
Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0At Your Bank
Ensure the teller selects Blue Mountains (Town of) Tax and not your utility account.
There is a transfer fee of $20 for incorrect payment per instance, after the first instance.
Telephone
Check with your financial institution for information on setting up this method of payment.
Online Banking
To set up payments through your online banking, search ‘Payees’ for Blue Mountains (Town of) Tax. When entering your account number, use the first 15 digits of the roll number i.e. 424200000123456 (omit the last four zeros).
Exception: RBC customers: the first four digits - 4242 - are hardcoded, and the last four zeros must be included.
Please note that if you have your taxes and utilities set up for payment via online banking, always ensure to select your ‘Tax’ account when making tax payments and not your ‘Utilities’ account. There is a transfer fee of $20 for incorrect payment per instance, after the first instance.
Through a Mortgage Company
Mortgage companies may provide a service to pay property taxes as part of your mortgage installment. In this case, you will receive a copy of your final annual tax bill after payment has been made by your mortgage company.
If you would like to change where your property tax bill and/or utility bill is mailed, you must request it in writing. Please complete the Change of Mailing Address Form, and return it to the Finance Department by email, fax (519-599-7723) or by mail:
Finance Department - First Floor
32 Mill Street, PO Box 310
Thornbury, ON, N0H 2P0Penalty in the amount of 11/4 percent (1.25%) of the amount of unpaid taxes will be charged for the non-payment of taxes on the first day of the month following the due date.
Further interest charges in the amount of 11/4 percent (1.25%) of unpaid taxes will be charged on the first day of each and every month thereafter.
Additional Information
The fee for a Tax Certificate is $85.00.
Please mail any Tax Certificate request letters via courier or mail to the following address:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Main Floor - Finance
32 Mill Street, PO Box 310
Thornbury ON, N0H 2P0The fee for a Water Certificate is $65.00.
Please mail any Water Certificate request letters via courier or mail to the following address:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Main Floor - Finance
32 Mill Street, PO Box 310
Thornbury ON, N0H 2P0Property Assessment is conducted by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). They are accountable to the Province.
Wondering how MPAC assesses your property? For residential properties, there are five major factors that generally account for 85% of your property value.
- location
- living area
- age of property
- lot dimensions
- quality of construction
There are several property assessment classes such as residential, farm, multi-residential, commercial, and industrial. Assessments are based on current value, meaning the assessment is determined based on sale prices of properties of comparable value.
Changes to your assessment may occur if you make an addition or improvement to your property or if you have received a reduction in your assessed value through an MPAC Request for Reconsideration decision (RfR) or through the Provincial Assessment Review Board (ARB).
For assessment/tax reductions for demolition, fire, class change, etc. (as per Sections 357/358/359 of the Municipal Act, 2001) please complete a Section 357 Application and submit it to the tax section.
If you have questions regarding your assessment or wish to contact MPAC, please call 1-866-296-6722 or visit the MPAC website.
The residential tax rate for 2023 is 0.00956764.
The following Tax Calculator will help you determine the amount of your taxes annually. Please use the value of your home as determined by MPAC for the calculator. If you require assistance in determining the MPAC value of your home please contact MPAC or Town Hall.
Disclaimer
The Tax Calculator application uses The Blue Mountains Council approved residential local tax rates, residential tax rates for the County of Grey, and residential tax rates established by the Province of Ontario for education purposes.
The amounts shown on the Tax Calculator are estimates only. Final Tax Bills are mailed out annually in early August and may vary from the amounts illustrated in the Tax Calculator. Due to the various tax rates in The Blue Mountains, the complexity of tax calculations, tax policy and provincial legislation, the Tax Calculator does not include the following:
- Local Improvements and associated administrative fees
- Special area rated services
- Any adjustments to taxes such as ARB decisions, Section 357 tax or class adjustments, Minutes of Settlement, or Supplementary Taxes
The Town of The Blue Mountains cannot be held responsible for any legal liabilities arising from the use of the Tax Calculator as it is an estimator only.
For information on the Town's various Fees and Charges, please refer to the 2024 Fees and Charges By-law.
There are multiple tax incentive programs available. To confirm your eligibility or for further information, please contact the agencies listed below. Note: Have your tax roll number available.
Under the County of Grey By-Law 5112-21 a tax rebate is provided to eligible low-income seniors or low-income persons with disabilities. The relief provided to an eligible person is the lesser of the amount of the year over year tax increase or $500. To apply, fill out the application form and return it to the tax office.
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
1-855-866-3847
Contact by EmailFarm Property Class Tax Rate Program
Agricorp
1-888-247-4999
Contact by EmailConservation Land Tax Incentive Program
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
1-800-268-8959
Contact by EmailProperty owners who would like to change which school board they support through their education property taxes can do so using the MPAC portal.
Utility Bills
The Town is responsible for water and wastewater readings, billing, and collection services. If you have questions regarding water and wastewater utility billing, please contact Water & Wastewater Billings & Accounts.
