York Region Property Tax

The amount of tax you pay is calculated using the following formula:

“Assessed value of a property”  X  “Tax rate”

There are two parts to the tax rate:  

• The municipal tax rate, which is set by your municipal government (York Region and the city or town you own property in)
• The education tax rate, which is set by the provincial government

A municipality can set different tax rates for different classes of property. Main property classes include residential and farm, multi-residential, new multi-residential, commercial and industrial.

The current value assessment of a property is the taxable value to which property taxes are applied and is established by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). The current value assessment for properties is based on a valuation date of January 1, 2016. Reassessment continues to be postponed, pending the outcome of a provincial review of the taxation and assessment system. For further information on how your assessment is calculated, please contact MPAC.

The Region’s property tax rate is established annually by York Regional Council and is based on budgetary requirements for the Region. The Region’s tax rate varies for each property type and class based on tax ratio weights.

Tax Ratios

The amount of tax paid for a property is determined by its current value assessment and by its property class. Tax ratios distribute the amount to be collected between property classes.

The tax ratio for a property class is calculated based on the residential class tax ratio, which is always "one". A property with a tax ratio of “two” would pay twice as much as a residential property for the same assessed value.

Allowable Ranges

The province has set “allowable ranges” for tax ratios for each property class. Municipalities may exceed the allowable range when utilizing revenue-neutral tax ratios, which have been adopted by York Regional Council each year since 2017. 

Table 1: Tax Ratios and the Provincial Allowable Ranges for each property class.

¹ The tax ratio proposed for 2025 is based on the transitional tax ratio prescribed by the Province in O.Reg. 510/24. 

York Region’s Tax Ratios Compared to Nearby Municipalities

The tables below compare York Region’s 2025 tax ratios with those of other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Residential and Multi-Residential Tax Ratios

Commercial / Industrial / Pipelines Tax Ratios

Farm / Managed Forests / Landfill Tax Ratios / Aggregate Extraction Tax Ratios

York Region and the nine local municipalities offer various other property tax discounts and incentives.

New Multi-Residential (Municipal Reduction) Subclass

In 2024, the Province of Ontario introduced the opportunity for municipalities to offer a property tax discount for eligible new multi-residential properties to help increase the supply of purpose-built rental. York Region adopted this subclass on May 23, 2024.

In 2025, eligible new purpose-built rental properties in this subclass receive a 35% property tax discount.

To qualify, a building must be classified as a “New Multi-Residential Property (Municipal Reduction) Subclass” by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). The rules for this subclass are set by the province and include:

• Having at least 7 self-contained units (where each unit has, at minimum, a separate entrance, kitchen and bathroom)
• Being a purpose-built rental under single ownership (i.e., not a condominium, or freehold townhome complex)
• Being completed (occupancy ready, and not empty land or under construction)
• Having a building permit issued on or after May 23, 2024

Property owners may contact MPAC directly for specific questions about their property’s classification. 
 

Vacant and Excess Land Discount

As of the 2025 taxation year, vacant and excess non-residential lands are subject to the same tax rates as other non-residential properties. The 30% reduction for commercial properties and 35% reduction for industrial properties has been eliminated to support development and improve equity. 

Tax Discount for Farmland Awaiting Development

Working farms in Ontario have traditionally received property tax relief. York Region offers a temporary discount to farmland awaiting development, allowing the land to be farmed before construction begins.

When a plan is registered for a subdivision, a 75% property tax discount is provided to the developer if the land is being farmed prior to construction beginning. Once the building permit is issued, the discount is removed as the land can no longer be farmed. 

Extraordinary Circumstances Tax Relief

The Township of King offers tax relief in extraordinary circumstances that are extreme, unforeseen, typically one-time, and that prevent a taxpayer from being able to make their property tax payment by the due date.

Please contact the Township of King for more information.

Registered Charities

Registered charities are eligible for a property tax rebate equal to 40% of the taxes payable for space that is rented or leased in a commercial or industrial class of property.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for this program, the following criteria must be met:

• You must be a registered charity as defined by subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act and can provide a registered charity number issued by Revenue Canada
• You must provide documentation from the landlord specifying the amount of property taxes payable for the rented or leased space occupied

How to Apply

To determine your eligibility to receive a charitable rebate, please contact the tax office of your local city or town. 

Rebate for Royal Canadian Legions, Veterans Associations and the Ontario Provincial Command

Royal Canadian Legions are exempt from paying property taxes. Veterans Associations and the Ontario Provincial Command receive a 100% property tax rebate. 

Reductions for Heritage Properties

Markham and Newmarket provide eligible heritage properties with a property tax reduction of 30% and 40% respectively, subject to an approved application. The reduction programs apply to both local municipal and education portions, pursuant to section 365.2 of the Municipal Act, 2001. For further details, please contact the Town of Newmarket or City of Markham.

Relief for Brownfields

The Brownfield Statute Law Amendment Act allows Ontario's municipalities to encourage intensification and infill development through the redevelopment of vacant, abandoned and/or idle industrial and commercial sites covered by a Community Improvement Plan.

This includes the authority to grant property tax incentives to owners and developers who are willing to redevelop eligible brownfield properties requiring remediation.

Please contact your local city of town for eligibility criteria.

Conservation Lands and Managed Forests

The Government of Ontario offers property tax incentives for natural heritage properties.

The Conservation Lands Tax Incentive Program provides a 100% property tax exemption for eligible conservation lands. Eligibility conditions are set out on Ontario Regulation 282/98 (as amended), enacted pursuant to section 3 of the Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990.

The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program allows lands reassessed as Managed Forests to be charged a property tax rate equal to 25% of the residential property tax rate. This is reflected in the tax ratio for Managed Forests.

Please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for more information. 

Community Improvement Plan Incentives

Community Improvement Plans are tools that may be established under Section 28 of the Planning Act, 1990 to encourage development, intensification, or revitalization in designated areas. Local cities and towns have implemented Community Improvement Plans, which may offer property tax incentives.

Please contact your local city or town for more information.

Capping and Clawback Mechanism for Business Classes

The Capping and Clawback Mechanism for Business Classes is no longer available, effective 2021 taxation year.

Tax Rebate for Vacant Commercial and Industrial Units

The program is no longer available, effective 2018 taxation year. 

There are various tax rebates, tax reductions and relief programs that seniors in York Region can access.

Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities

Low-income seniors aged 65 or older who receive the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement, as well as low-income persons with disabilities, may be eligible for an annual deferral of their property tax increases. 

All deferred taxes must be repaid in full upon the sale or transfer of the property's title, unless that transfer is to a spouse.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, you or your spouse must be either a:

• Person with a disability eligible to claim a disability amount as defined in the Income Tax Act, with an annual gross household income from all sources of up to $23,000 (1-person household), or up to $40,000 (household of two or more persons); or
• Senior (age 65 or older) and receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement pursuant to Part II of the Old Age Security Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. O-9

In addition, properties must meet the following criteria:

• Property is located in York Region
• Property is owned by the applicant or the applicant’s spouse as of January 1 of the taxation year for which the deferral has been requested
• Property must be the applicant’s principal residence

How to Apply

To determine your eligibility to receive a property tax deferral, please contact the tax office of your city or town.

Local Municipal Property Tax Assistance for Seniors

Under the Municipal Act, 2001, the City of Richmond Hill, the City of Vaughan, and the Town of Newmarket offer property tax relief for eligible seniors in the form of an annual rebate/grant. Starting in 2024, the City of Markham offers help with property tax arrears through the Low-Income Seniors Property Tax Assistance Program.

Please contact your local city or town for more information.

Ontario Exemption for Portion of Homes Built for Seniors and People with Disabilities

A tax exemption of up to 10% may be available for a portion of a residential property that has been built or altered to accommodate a senior or a person with a disability.

How to Apply

Please contact the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation for more details.
 

Ontario Seniors Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant

The Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG) is a tax grant of up to $500 for low-to-moderate income senior homeowners. It is administered by the Province of Ontario.

For more details, please check Ontario.ca and/or the annual Ontario income tax package on the Canada Revenue Agency website.