Tax and Land Information Website: Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Deferral Program

Tax and Land Information Website

HOME / TAX INFORMATION / PROPERTY TAX AND ASSESSMENT / PROPERTY TAX CREDITS AND PROGRAMS /

Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Deferral Program

Where can I get information on Senior Citizens Tax Deferral?

Purpose
This program lowers the cost of living for eligible seniors by allowing those interested in the program to apply for a deferral of property taxes on their principal residences.

Who is Eligible
You may qualify for the program if you:

are 65 years of age or older;
have occupied your principal residence for at least six months in the year preceding the date of application; and
have an annual household income less than $30,000.

How it Works
Upon acceptance into this program, annual property taxes are deferred. Taxation and Property Records will keep an accumulated total of taxes owing each year. Should you decide to sell the property, all deferred taxes become payable.

If you continue with the program for life, the accumulated taxes are required to be paid out of the estate. If the value of the estate is not sufficient to cover the amount of the accumulated taxes, the government will discharge any outstanding balance.

Under the Real Property Tax Deferral Program for Senior Citizens, interest does not accumulate on the deferred taxes from the date of approval.

Conditions
You must have occupied your home for at least six months in the year preceeding the date of applying for a deferral certificate.

If you own and occupy part of a multiple family dwelling, such as half a duplex, the taxes can be deferred only on the portion you occupy.

On farm properties, taxes can be deferred only on the house and the lot on which the house is located.

Taxes can be deferred on only one property. For example, if you own both a winter home and a summer cottage, you could seek a tax deferment only on your principal residence.

Please note:
This page is prepared for information purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for the applicable statutes. Should there be any conflict between the contents of this page and the statutes, the statutes shall prevail.

How to Apply
Complete and return the application form to Taxation and Property Records with a copy of last year’s income tax return(s) for the registered owner(s) of the property. If your application is approved, you will receive a deferred tax certificate in the mail. You will also receive an annual statement informing you of the total taxes deferred under this program.

Forms

Application for Real Property Tax Deferral Program for Senior Citizens General Information

Printable version of this form [104 KB PDF File]