The Municipal Act requires each municipality to enact tax deferral programs for low income seniors and low income disabled persons. For our two tiered structure, the Region of York manages the text of the policies for the lower tier, while the lower tiers administer the actual programs with the taxpayers.
The following link will jump you to the Town’s website section, and the actual application form for these programs.
http://www.e-aurora.ca/app/wa/mediaEntry?mediaEntryId=59353
You will see there are three distinct programs:
- low income disabled persons (any tax increase eligible)
- low income seniors aged 55 to 64 (only tax increases in excess of $100.00 are eligible for deferral)
- any senior aged 65 or older. (any tax increase eligible)
There are low income eligibility criteria for those seniors aged 55 to 64, and for disabled persons under 65, while all persons 65 or older are eligible regardless of income. Each program defers year over year total tax bill increases, or a portion of it, interest free until the property ownership is transferred. This concept is similar to a reverse mortgage, but is interest free. For those who qualify in the low income disabled program or the 65 and over program, it is possible to essentially fix your tax bill at the amount of taxes in the year of first enrollment, and pay the same amount each year thereafter, until the property is sold or transferred.
Should you be interested in this program, you can
- fill out the form and submit it,
- contact our tax office at 905-726-4747, or
- contact my office at 905-726-4741
Thanks to our Treasurer, Dan Elliot, for this information.
