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Quick answer: Ontario property taxes are still based on what homes were worth on January 1, 2016. The province has postponed the reassessment for years, and no new date has been confirmed. When it happens, it will not automatically raise the city’s total taxes. Instead, it shifts the tax burden: homes whose values rose faster than the average in your city tend to pay more, and homes that rose slower tend to pay less. Check your assessment now, understand where your home sits, and if you’re buying a new home, budget for a supplementary tax bill that can arrive months after you move in.
Key takeaways
- Your tax bill = assessed value × your city’s tax rate. When assessments rise, cities usually adjust the rate.
- In past cycles, increases were phased in over four years, while decreases took effect right away.
- You can ask MPAC to review your assessment with a Request for Reconsideration, usually within 120 days of your notice.
Why 2016 values still matter in 2026
The 2016 values were fully phased in for the 2020 tax year, and the province has frozen them since. Prices across the GTA changed a lot after that, but not evenly. Detached homes in some areas rose far more than condos in others. A reassessment would catch all of that up at once.
Who is likely to pay more, and who less
A reassessment compares your home’s change with your city’s average change.
| Your home’s value since 2016 | Likely effect on your share of taxes |
|---|---|
| Rose more than the city average | Your share goes up |
| Rose about the same as average | Little change |
| Rose less than average (or fell) | Your share goes down |
Example: if homes in your city rose 40% on average and yours rose 70%, your tax would likely rise. If yours rose 15%, it would likely fall.
Many condo owners in Toronto, where condo prices rose less or have fallen recently, may see relief. Owners of detached homes in high-demand pockets may see increases. It depends on your city and your home.
How to check your assessment today
- Log into AboutMyProperty on MPAC’s website (your assessment notice has the access code).
- Check the details: lot size, square footage, number of bathrooms, finished basement.
- Compare your assessed value with similar homes on your street.
- If something is wrong, file a Request for Reconsideration. If you still disagree, you can appeal to the Assessment Review Board.
Want to know how your home’s value has really changed?
I will compare your home’s market value today with 2016, so you can see where you might stand.
Or call/text (647) 709-2814 · I speak English, Hindi and Punjabi
For buyers: three tax traps
1. The tax on the listing may not last
The current tax bill reflects 2016 values. After a reassessment, the same home could pay noticeably more or less. Factor that into your budget, especially for homes that have risen a lot in value.
2. Renovations and additions trigger new assessments
Even without a province-wide reassessment, MPAC reassesses a home after an addition, major renovation or new build. If the seller recently added a second storey or a basement unit, the tax bill may not include it yet. Ask your lawyer about adjustments.
3. New homes get a surprise bill
When you buy a new home, the first tax bills often cover only the land. Months later, MPAC assesses the finished house, and the city sends supplementary or omitted tax bills that can go back to when you took possession, sometimes for more than one year. Set money aside from day one.
For sellers
- A lower tax bill (because of old 2016 values) is a selling point today. But buyers and their agents increasingly know a reassessment may change it.
- Keep records of when renovations were done and whether MPAC has already reassessed them.
FAQ
When will the reassessment happen?
No date has been confirmed. The province has postponed it several times.
Will my taxes double if my assessment doubles?
Not necessarily. Cities usually adjust their tax rates so total revenue doesn’t jump. What matters is how your change compares with the city average.
How long do I have to dispute my assessment?
Usually 120 days from the date on your assessment notice for a Request for Reconsideration. Check your notice for the exact deadline.
Buying a new or renovated home?
I will help you budget for the full cost of ownership, including future tax bills.
Or call/text (647) 709-2814 · Gursimran (Guru) Tamber, Sales Representative, CENTURY 21 People’s Choice Realty Inc., Brokerage
Keep reading
General information only, not tax advice. Property tax rules vary by municipality. Confirm details with MPAC and your city.
Sources: MPAC: Request for Reconsideration and appeals · Assessment Review Board: extending the RfR deadline · Ryan: New assessment notices, same 2016 valuation date
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gursimran (Guru) Tamber, Sales Representative
CENTURY 21 People’s Choice Realty Inc., Brokerage · RECO registration #5027219 · CENTURY 21 Pacesetter Gold (2024) and Masters Silver (2023) award winner
Guru helps buyers, sellers and investors across the GTA, Hamilton and Waterloo. Before real estate, he spent close to two decades leading IT transformation projects for Fortune 500 brands across Asia, Europe and North America. He speaks English, Hindi and Punjabi.
