Notices going out Nov. 3
Oct 27, 2008 - 11:47 AM
By Keith Gilligan
DURHAM -- Homes in Durham Region are facing an average assessment increase of 13.7 per cent.
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is reassessing properties in Ontario this year, the first time since 2005. Assessments are based on the value of a home on Jan. 1, 2008.
When a municipality sets tax rates, the assessed value of a property is used to set property taxes. So the higher the value of a property, the more a homeowner would pay.
Even with the assessment rise, the residential assessment increase is below the average for all properties in Durham by 2.5 per cent, Regional finance director Jim Clapp said.
Speaking to the finance committee on Wednesday, Mr. Clapp said the average property assessment increase is 15.4 per cent.
The figure includes residential properties, commercial, industrial, shopping centres, office buildings and farmland.
"If you're below the regional average of 15.4 per cent, you'll have (an assessment) decrease. If you're above, you'll have an increase," Mr. Clapp said.
A home valued at $280,000 (based on the 2005 assessment) will rise to $318,288, based on a 13.7 per cent assessment increase.
In rules set down by the Province, anyone with an assessment increase will see the assessment rise phased in over a four-year period. A property owner facing a decrease will have it implemented all at once.
"This phase-in business has effectively made property taxes more complex," Mr. Clapp said. "Somebody will have to fund the decrease (in taxes paid to municipalities) of the phase-in."
MPAC is sending out notices Nov. 3 announcing the reassessment.
"Get ready. Taxpayers will be asking questions on Nov. 3," he said.
"This is very complicated, there's no question about that. Try and uncomplicate this for us," Clarington Mayor Jim Abernethy said.
"Residential, for the most part, is below the average. Residential reassessment is based on sales," Mr. Clapp said. "MPAC has made it easier to compare your property to neighbouring properties."
The "majority of (residential) properties in Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock will receive (an assessment) increase," Mr. Clapp said.
When assessment notices go out, residents will see their assessment going down, Mr. Clapp said, adding they'll assume that means their property taxes will also go down.
"You have to say it's not easy," Mr. Clapp said.
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