Investing in your City: Understanding Your Property Tax Bill

Jun 11

Written By

Our weekly "Investing in your City" series continues, highlighting some of the significant investments being made in Burlington and that our community will benefit from.

So you've received your tax bill and now wondering what all these numbers mean? Let's go over the numbers to help you better understand your property tax bill and why the Final Tax Bill may seem higher.

Understanding Your Property Tax Bill2024 Budget

On Nov. 28, 2023, Burlington City Council approved the 2024 budget, focused on essentials, front line services and preparing for growth. Once the budget is approved, the tax department sends out tax bills to collect the funds the City needs to deliver these services to you.

2024 Property Tax Split

The property tax bill is made up of three portions:

The City of Burlington services are 50.5 per cent
Halton Region services are 32.8 per cent and
the Boards of Education are 16.7 per cent

2024 Total Tax Increase: 6.58 per cent

When you combine these numbers, the City's portion of the overall tax increase is 4.99 per cent. When blended with Halton Region's increase and no change to the Boards of Education, the 2024 total tax increase is 6.58 per cent. This means for every $100,000 that Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) values your home, you’ll see an increase of $56.70.

2024 Tax Increases

2023 Taxes — $861.45
2024 Taxes — $918.15
$ Tax Increase — $56.70
% Tax Increase — 6.58%

*per $100,000 residential urban assessment. Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Total 2024 Tax Increase Breakdown of Splits

2023 Taxes
- Burlington — $421.25
- Halton — $287.20
- Education — $153.00
- Total — $861.45
2024 Taxes
- Burlington — $464.27
- Halton — $287.20
- Education — $153.00
- Total — $918.15
$ Tax Increase
- Burlington — $43.02
- Halton — $13.68
- Education — $0.00
- Total — $56.70
% Tax Increase
- Burlington — 4.99%
- Halton — 1.59%
- Education — 0.00%
- Total — 6.58%

*per $100,000 urban residential assessment. Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Property Tax Bill and Payment Frequency

The City sends out two (2) bills outlining four payments for the year.

Interim Bill

The interim bill is sent at the beginning of the year and includes two payment stubs:

February payment due date; and
April payment due date.

This bill is based on last year’s levy and does not include the budget or assessment changes.

Final Bill

The final tax bill is sent in the spring and includes two payment stubs:

June payment due date; and
September payment due date.

The final bill reflects budget changes and applicable property assessment changes.

How Your Taxes are Used

We recognize the importance of taxpayers understanding the City services they receive in return for their property tax dollars. Your total property tax bill with the City of Burlington contributes to more than just the cost of these City services. We also collect taxes on behalf of Halton Region and the Province of Ontario's education system.

Learn more about How Your Taxes are Used here.

City Services Breakdown

For 2024, an urban residential property assessed at $500,000 amounts to $2,321.36 in property taxes for the City's 50.5 per cent share. That $2,321.36 is broken down into costs for City services, including:

Capital — $560.70

Public Safety Services — $380.50
Internal Support & Administration — $338.90
Roads & Transportation — $301.02
Maintenance Services — $287.63
Leisure Services — $183.04
Local Boards & Other Agencies — $157.22
Design & Build — $41.58
Customer Relations & Citizen Representation Services — $33.61
Hospital Levy — $32.15
Mayor & Council — $19.27
Net Corporate Revenues — $14.26

Regional Services Breakdown

For 2024, an urban residential property assessed at $500,000 amounts to $1,504.41 in property taxes for Halton Region's 32.8 per cent share. That $1,504.41 is broken down into costs for regional services, including:

Halton Regional Police Service — $582.14
Road Operations — $179.79
Waste Management Services — $148.99
Public Health and Paramedic Services — $135.88
Housing — $123.54
Other Services — $99.10
Services for Seniors — $79.41
Conservation Authorities & Heritage — $39.21
Children's Services — $30.66
Property Assessment — $28.42
Development Services — $23.85
Employment & Social Services — $22.81
Economic Development — $10.61

Education Services

For 2024, an urban residential property assessed at $500,000 amounts to $765 in property taxes for the Province of Ontario education system's 16.7 per cent share.

Striking the Right Balance

As with all municipalities, we strive to strike the right balance for our residents as we aim to maintain existing services, programs and infrastructure and provide new services, while at the same time minimizing tax increases. In a climate of increasing costs this can be a challenge, but our residential property taxes remain below the group average when compared to similar homes in municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area.

For more information on budgets and taxes, please visit burlington.ca/budget and burlington.ca/propertytax.

Be sure to watch for 2025 budget information coming soon.

Property Tax Bill Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why does my Final Tax Bill seem higher?

The interim bill, as legislated by the province, reflects only half, or 50 per cent of last year’s property taxes. It does not include:

budget increases or
property assessment changes

To get a truly accurate comparison, compare your final tax bill from the same time last year.

Q: How is my tax bill calculated?

Your tax bill is determined by multiplying your assessment by the tax rates determined by the City, Halton Region and the Province of Ontario (education).

Related Links

Previous Investment Highlights:

Investing in your City: Understanding Your Property Tax Bill

Understanding Your Property Tax Bill2024 Budget

Burlington Staff Present 2025 Financial Needs & Multi-Year Forecast to Council Members

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Spencer Smith Park