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Property tax payments deferred for those in need
Oakville Town Council has voted to accept late property tax payments with no interest or late fees for up to two months, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council made the decision, for both residential and commercial taxes, at a special meeting of Council held on Thursday, March 26.
"Many of the town's businesses and residents have been financially impacted already by this pandemic, and we're not out of the woods yet," said Mayor Rob Burton. "Council unanimously supports the decision to offer tax relief to those currently experiencing financial hardships, who may find it difficult to pay the taxes by the deadline, due to the COVID-19 emergency."
Interim property tax bills were issued at the end of January 2020, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The next tax installment is due on April 24, but it and all outstanding property taxes will be accepted anytime up to June 30 without penalty for anyone who is unable to pay by the due date.
Property owners who are on the town's pre-authorized payment plans will be able to opt-out of the plans without consequence, as long as they do so prior to the 15th of the payment month.
Property taxes are the town's largest revenue source and are necessary to provide essential services to residents, such as fire services, roads and sidewalk repair and maintenance, snow removal, park sanitation and maintenance, storm water management, and more.
The tax payment deferral option is one of a number of measures the town is implementing to lessen COVID-19-related impacts on residents and businesses. Actions the town has put in place over the last two weeks include:
- Mayor declared state of emergency to heighten awareness of the pandemic, to help slow the spread of the virus and reduce the demand on hospitals and health care workers.
- Activated the town's Emergency Operations Plan, including closing town hall and focusing on delivering essential services.
- Waived parking fees at all municipal parking locations and extended time limits for on-street parking to help those who are in isolation.
- Increased cleaning and disinfection of all Oakville buses, established rear door boarding and eliminated fare payment to maintain safe distancing.
- Closed parks, playgrounds, outdoor courts and dog parks to limit close contact with others and encourage people to practice physical social distancing.
- Established Mayor's Economic Task Force and action plan to identify immediate short-term relief measures to the business community, as well as options to support the recovery of the local economy in the longer term.
- Established phone call-ins and chats with isolated seniors' services members.
- Continued to share information and spread awareness of the latest pandemic updates on the town's website, social media channels, e-newsletters, signage, and through local media.
"This is an emergency situation, and we want residents and businesses to know we are here for you, and we will get through this together," said Mayor Burton.
For more information on the town's response to COVID-19, including current service levels, please visit our
COVID-19 Information
page.
ServiceOakville remains available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at 905-845-6601 or
service@oakville.ca
and
ServiceOakville online
to respond to community questions and requests for essential services.
A secure drop box is available just outside of the main Town Hall entrance for payments and other town correspondence.
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