Rebates and Incentives

The Township of Muskoka Lakes has instituted a tax relief program for designated heritage properties to encourage the restoration and preservation of buildings or structures of cultural heritage value.

The program is subject at all times to funding made available annually by Council.

Please see By-Law #2017-110 for program specifics.

How to confirm
If you believe you may have an eligible property, please contact the Township of Muskoka Lakes Planning Department at 705-765-3156 to apply.

The District of Muskoka offers a Low-income Seniors, and Low-income Disabled Homeowners deferral program.

This program allows for qualifying homeowners to defer the increase of their taxes from one year to the next, interest free until the time in which the home is sold or change of title occurs. All deferral monies musts be repaid to the District of Muskoka at that time.

More Information
Low Income Deferral | The District Municipality of Muskoka

Section 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act, 2001 provide municipalities with the authority to cancel, reduce or refund taxes based on specific criteria.  

Demolition Due to Tragic Event

In the unfortunate event that your structure is razed by fire or other tragic event, you may be eligible for a tax rebate under Section 357 of the Municipal Act.  

• Submit your request by email to propertytax@muskokalakes.ca or by mail to the attention of the tax department.  Include the fire report in your correspondence.
• The tax department will assist with completion of your application.  MPAC reviews the application to determine relief eligibility and any applicable assessment reduction and will notify the municipality of their findings.  Tax relief for the current year is processed after the final tax billing due date (August 31).

Voluntary Demolition of Structure

If structures on your property are being demolished you may be eligible for a rebate under Section 357 of the Municipal Act.   The steps are as follows:

1. Obtain a building permit for your specific demolition.
   
   
2. Once the structure has been demolished (or removed) from the property, contact the Township’s Building Department to arrange for a demolition inspection to verify that the structure has been removed and to obtain an inspection certificate (the certificate date begins eligibility).
   
   
3. Submit your request by email to propertytax@muskokalakes.ca or by mail to the attention of the tax department.
   
   
4. Include the following required documents:
   1. Property tax roll number
   2. Property Owner Name(s)
   3. Mailing Address
   4. Property Address
   5. Copy of the building permit (if rebuilding)
   6. Copy of the final demolition inspection certificate

Incomplete submissions will be returned to the owner. The submission file date is the date the completed submission has been received. 

The completed application is sent to the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) for verification and an assessment adjustment. 

The 357-application process can take up to 90 days to complete. If approved, tax relief for the current year is processed after the final tax billing due date (August 31).   

Working farms may be eligible for a municipal property tax reduction under this program.

More Information

Agricorp Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program

Farmland Tax Reduction | The District Municipality of Muskoka

Swamp or wetland properties may be eligible for tax reduction under this program, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

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Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Ontario Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program

The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program encourages good forest management by giving a property tax reduction to eligible landowners who prepare and follow an approved Managed Forest Plan.

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Ontario Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program

Registered charities that are taxed as commercial or industrial properties may be eligible for a property tax rebate.

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Charity Rebates | The District Municipality of Muskoka