Property Tax

Property taxes are paid by property owners for community services such as schools, roads, maintenance, and other costs of local government.

St. Catharines property tax rates are set by City Council each year and are determined by balancing the needs for programs and infrastructure in the community with the financial needs of the corporation.   

In addition to collecting its own property taxes, the City of St. Catharines is also responsible for the collection of regional taxes and school board taxes, although it is not responsible for setting the rates of these taxes.

The amount of property tax paid by a property owner is based on the assessed value and type of property. The assessed value of a property is determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

Property Tax Instalment Dates

Tax instalment dates are the last business day in February, April, June and September.

Property tax bills are mailed at least 21 days prior to the tax instalment due date.

Why we changed our instalment due dates

• The change is more convenient for residents, as it means tax due dates will not fluctuate from year to year.
• Operationally, it allows for the prompt, effective and efficient collection of taxes.
• Property taxes were previously established as the second Friday of each instalment month.

Property Tax Payment Options

Property tax payments can be made using the following methods.

Please note: cheques must be made payable to The City of St. Catharines.

At City Hall, 50 Church Street:

• In Person, Monday to Friday at the Citizens First Counter, 2nd Floor, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Payments can be made by cheque, cash or debit.
• To ensure all residents can make in-person payments, Citizens First will extend its hours on Feb. 25, 26 and 27, opening from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. During extended hours, visitors can access City Hall via the James Street entrance.
• Deposit your cheque in the after-hours deposit box located at the James Street entrance. Do not deposit cash.

By Mail:

City of St. Catharines
Citizens First, CSS Department
PO Box 3012 Stn Main
St. Catharines ON L2R 7C2

At most financial institutions, or by telephone or Internet banking

Please contact your financial institution to see what options are available.
We encourage residents to allow sufficient time when paying through online banking or financial institutions to allow time for their bank to forward the payment to the City.   

All payments must be received in the office by 4:30 p.m. on the payment due date. Penalties will be applied on the first day of default and on the first day of each month after that until paid. Small balance arrears could be a result of a late payment.

Pre-authorized payments 

The fastest and easiest way to pay your property taxes is to enroll in our Pre-Authorized Payment Plan.

Go paperless with e-billing

The City of St. Catharines is going paperless, offering residents the opportunity to receive their property tax and water bills in an environmentally friendly, simple and secure way.

Visit our water and tax e-bill portal and access your water and tax bill information anytime, anywhere, with just a few clicks. Residents have the opportunity to receive their bills digitally instead of through the mail, and will also be able to access property tax instalment dates, assessments and transactions, as well as water consumption and transactions.

Are you Moving?

The lawyer acting on behalf of the purchaser of a property normally advises the City once the sale has taken place. If you have purchased a property and wish to ensure that the correct name(s), mailing address and phone number information have been received, please contact Citizens First 905-688-5600.
The same contact information applies if you need to notify us of the following changes:

• Mailing Address
• Legal Name
• Mortgage Company or Agent Information

Please contact 905.688.5601 ext. 1417 if you wish to enroll in the Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan.

Rates and Payment Information

View the 2019 Approved Tax Rates

Do you have questions about where your money goes or the various payment options?

For a breakdown of services property taxes provide our residents, read our 2019 Residential Property Tax Insert.

Would you like to take it a step further? If you know your assessment value, try our Property Tax Calculator.

Capped Classes Information

• View Capping Clawback Percentages
• View the history of municipal levy changes
• Visit the Niagara Region's website to learn more about Tax Capping and Clawback

Assistance Programs

The City of St. Catharines offers a variety of assistance for residents. Click on any program for information.

• Cancellation, reduction or refund of taxes for commercial/industrial property owners
• Cancellation, reduction or refund of taxes for residential property owners
• Payment extension program for persons with disabilities
• Property tax deferrals for seniors
• Property tax rebate for Vacancies in Commercial/Industrial Buildings
• Tax rebates for charitable organizations paying commercial/industrial taxes
  

Tax Certificates

A tax certificate is a statement of the status of taxes which is required when buying or selling a property, showing outstanding taxes or arrears.

Fees for tax certificates are set annually.

Please contact 905.688.5600 for more information and current rates.

Tax Sales

A tax sale is the sale of land through public tender by a governmental body for non-payment of taxes.

The City of St. Catharines currently has no properties listed for sale.

When properties are listed for tax sale please visit http://bids.stcatharines.ca to obtain the tender documents.

Click here for the results of the last tax sale tender process.