The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) oversees a standard, province-wide property assessment system, which determines value and classifications for all properties in Ontario. The City of Markham does not determine property value assessments.
Every four years, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) updates the value of Ontario properties. The most recent update happened in 2016, and was based on property values as of January 1, 2016.
If you own property in Markham, you received an updated Property Assessment Notice from (MPAC) in 2016. This notice included the assessment value used by the City of Markham to calculate your property taxes for the 2017-2020 taxation years.
MPAC Reassessment for 2017-2020 — Property Reassessment notice information for the 2017 to 2020 taxation years.
If you want to learn more about how MPAC assessed your property:
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the MPAC 2016 Reassessment Update?
Every four years, MPAC updates the value of every property in the province, which is known as a reassessment. The last reassessment happened in 2016, based on a valuation date of January 1, 2016. This assessment applies to the 2017-2020 property tax years.
- What is a valuation date?
MPAC gives a value to each property based on a specific date. For the 2016 reassessment, the valuation date was January 1, 2016. In this case, MPAC looked at what a willing buyer would have paid a willing seller for the property as of January 1, 2016.
- How were the 2016 values determined?
MPAC uses the “Current Value Assessment” (CVA) method to determine a property value. MPAC looks at sales of properties like yours in your area. They review other key factors that affect the value of the property.
For residential homes, five major factors account for about 85% of a property’s value:
- Location
- Lot dimensions
- Living area
- Age of the property (adjusted for any major renovations or additions)
- Quality of construction
To learn more, watch the How MPAC Assesses Property video.
- When did property owners receive their assessment notice?
Notices for City of Markham residents were sent on Monday, June 13, 2016. Non-residential property owners started to get their assessments on October 11, 2016.
- How can property owners check the accuracy of their assessment?
Review your property assessment notice, and consider if you could have sold your property for the value provided as of January 1, 2016. You can visit aboutmyproperty.ca to learn how and why your property was assessed the way it was. You can also compare your property assessment value with others in your neighborhood.
If you have questions, please call the MPAC Customer Contact Centre at 1.866.296.MPAC (6722), or 1.877.889.MPAC (6722). Or, visit a local MPAC office.
- What is AboutMyProperty™?
AboutMyProperty™ is a secure, online, easy-to-use, self-serve website. It shows you how your property was assessed. You can also see the information MPAC has on file for your property and compare it to others in your area.
Residential and non-residential property owners can log on to aboutmyproperty.ca after they get their Property Assessment Notice.
To register for AboutMyProperty™, you need the Roll Number and Access Key located on your most recent Property Assessment Notice. Each property has its own unique Roll Number and Access Key. You can add more than one property through the ‘My Profile’ area at the top of the homepage. If you need help registering, please contact MPAC at 1.866.296.MPAC (6722).
Watch the About My Property Video.
- What if I don’t agree with my assessment?
If you do not agree with your property assessment or classification, you can file a Request for Reconsideration (RfR). MPAC will review your assessment at no cost. The deadline to file an RfR is included on your MPAC notice.
There are three different ways to file an RfR:
- Visit aboutmyproperty.ca. You can attach documents, pictures, and reports to your RfR. You can also check the status of your request.
- Mail or fax your form to MPAC. Forms are available at mpac.ca.
- Write a letter to request an RfR. The letter should include:
- The 19-digit Roll Number found on your Property Assessment Notice
- The property owner’s full name, address, and phone number
- Reasons why your assessment is incorrect
- Any information you have to support your request
RfR’s may also be filed on a supplementary or omitted Property Assessment Notice. The deadline to file an RfR on a supplementary or omitted Property Assessment Notice is 120 days from the date printed on the Property Assessment Notice.
To learn more, watch this Request for Reconsideration Video.
- What happens once a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) has been reviewed?
MPAC will recognize the receipt of a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) in writing, and once MPAC’s makes a decision, they will send you a letter with the outcome of their review.
If you disagree with the outcome, you can file an appeal with the Assessment Review Board (ARB). The ARB is an independent assessment group. It is an appeal tribunal of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.
You must file an appeal with ARB within 90 days of your RfR decision. The ARB has its own appeal process. For more information, please contact the ARB at 1.866.448.2248 or 416.212.6349, or visit http://elto.gov.on.ca/.
- What happens at an ARB hearing?
At an ARB hearing, MPAC will attempt to prove that its assessment of the property is correct. MPAC may show supporting documents, such as the sale price of similar properties. Any documents that will be shown at a hearing will be shared with the property owner before the hearing. Property owners can also present evidence at a hearing.
More information on the ARB hearing process can be found on Environment & Land Tribunals Ontario website.
AboutMyProperty™ is a secure, online, easy-to-use, self-serve website. It lets you to learn more about how your property was assessed. You can also see the information MPAC has on file for your property and compare it to others in your area.
Residential and non-residential property owners can log on to aboutmyproperty.ca after they get their Property Assessment Notice.
To register for AboutMyProperty™, you need the Roll Number and Access Key located on your most recent Property Assessment Notice. Each property has its own unique Roll Number and Access Key. You can add more than one property through the ‘My Profile’ area at the top of the homepage. If you need help registering, please contact MPAC at 1.866.296.MPAC (6722).
Watch the About My Property Video
Assessment Review Board (ARB) Appeal
If you are not satisfied with your RfR decision from MPAC, you can file an appeal to the Assessment Review Board (ARB). You need to do this within 90 days of receiving a decision from MPAC.
Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Residential Properties Owners can either:
- File an Request for Reconsideration (RfR) with MPAC
- Appeal directly to the ARB
Either must be done by March 31 of the applicable tax year.
To file an appeal with the ARB, send a written request to the Assessment Review Board at:
Assessment Review Board
655 Bay Street, Suite 1500
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1E5
You must include a payment with your appeal. The payment is $125 for residential or farm properties and $300 for commercial or industrial properties. For more information, please contact the ARB.
ARB Contact Information
Phone: 416.212.6349
Toll free: 1.866.448.2248
Website: elto.gov.on.ca/arb
For more information on how to appeal your ARB assessment, visit elto.gov.on.ca/.
Please note: A tax account is only changed after MPAC or ARB notifies the City of a change. Property owners should keep paying taxes during the appeal process to avoid penalty and interest charges. It may take a period of time before MPAC or ARB to make a decision.
If there is a change in the physical condition (i.e. demolition or fire) of your property, you can request the City to adjust your taxes through a tax appeal. You can request the cancellation, reduction, or refund of all or part of your taxes. This process follows Provincial legislation found in Sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act, 2001.
Changes can include:
- Tax classification changes;
- Lands that have become exempt;
- Structures destroyed or damaged by fire or demolitions;
- Large errors; and/or
- Repairs or renovations that prevent normal use of the land for a minimum of 3 months.
If you’re making an application under section 357, you need to apply before the last day of February of the year following the change in the property.
If you’re making an application under Section 358, you need to apply between March 1 and December 31. The application can apply to taxes from one or two years before your application. Tax reductions only apply to overcharges caused by clerical or factual errors. These changes don’t apply to errors made in assessing the property. For assessment errors, please see the “Assessment Review” section above.
You fill out your Tax Appeal Application online.
For more information, please contact the Customer Service Centre at 905.475.4864 or by e-mail at customerservice@markham.ca.
