Tax Payments

You can make a secure online payment through Paymentus using your Visa* or Mastercard* credit or debit card - no account required.

Click here to access: Paymentus

*Service charges of 2.5% are applied for Visa/Mastercard credit card payments and 1.5% applied for Visa/Mastercard debit payments.

Support
If you encounter any technical issues, please contact customer Paymentus Customer Support at customercare@paymentus.com or 1-800-420-1663.

In-Person

In-person payments are accepted at the Township's Municipal Office (1 Bailey Street, Port Carling) during regular business hours by cash*, cheque, debit, or credit**.

Please Note

• Cash limit: $1,000 per user/day *
• A 1.75% surcharge applies to credit card transactions. **
• Card payments cannot be processed over the phone.

Mail

Cheques for tax payments can be remitted by mail or can be dropped off at the office via the secure drop box at the front door – 24/7.

Mail to:
Township of Muskoka Lakes
1 Bailey Street, P.O. Box 129
Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0

All cheques are to be made payable to the Township of Muskoka Lakes and include the property tax bill payment - bottom perforated portion.

Reduce the risk of late payment penalties by enrolling in a Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP). Have your property tax payments automatically withdrawn from your bank or financial institution.  Enrollment in the plan is free.

The Pre-Authorized Payment Plan is available for automatic withdrawal from your bank account in either; 2 installments (on the tax bill due dates) or in 11 monthly withdrawals.

1. Installment Withdrawal Plan - Withdrawals (which happen twice per year) will occur on the tax billing due date
2. Monthly Withdrawal Plan - 11 equal withdrawals from November to September 

To qualify for either plan, all previous year taxes must be paid in full.  Taxes must remain in good standing to qualify for this program.

Installment Withdrawal Plan

• Enrollment into this plan can be made anytime up to 20 days before the tax billing due date.
• Withdrawals will be made on the tax bill due date (March 31 and August 31). 

Monthly Withdrawal Plan

Property taxes will be paid by 11 monthly withdrawals on the 30th of each month, beginning in November.

• Next year’s enrollment begins in October, with the first withdrawal on November 30th.
• The last payment for the tax year will be September 30.
• New enrollments are accepted until January 20th.
• A letter indicating your monthly payment amount will be sent out before the first withdrawal.
• Withdrawals are based on your previous year’s taxes, plus an estimated 5% growth.
• There is no withdrawal in October.
• An interim bill is not sent out under this program.

How to Sign Up

Sign up for pre-authorized payments by completing the Pre-Authorized Payment Form. 

1. Select a payment plan.
2. Complete all required fields on the application including signatures and full date.
3. Upload a void cheque or preauthorized debit form from your bank.
4. Complete the account information section.
5. Once you have verified your information is correct and that you have uploaded the appropriate documentation click on the submit button at the bottom of the page.
6. Continue to pay your taxes through your regular payment method until you receive your confirmation of enrollment.

Please Note
You must complete an application for each property you are applying for. A Canadian bank account is required for this program. 

Cancelling or Changing Your PAP Plan or Financial Institution

You may cancel or change your plan or change your financial institution with at least 21 days written notice before your next withdrawal date.

Pre-Authorized Change/Cancel Form

Fill in the appropriate information and once you have verified your information is correct click on the submit button at the bottom of the form. Banking institutions cannot cancel on your behalf. If cancelling/changing you will receive email/written notice that you have been removed from the program.

If cancelling, you must pay the outstanding balance in full to avoid penalty/interest charges.

Banking Changes

If your banking information has changed please click on the link to the Pre-Authorized Change/Cancel Form. You will need to submit a new void cheque or pre-authorized debit form.

Once you have verified your information is correct and that you have uploaded the appropriate new banking documentation click on the submit button at the bottom of the form.

Pay by phone through your financial institution or online via your bank’s website or smartphone app. 

If you have more than one property in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, you will need to set up each roll number as a separate account number. You will need your 19-digit assessment roll number from your tax bill or property tax account statement.

How to Pay

1. Sign into your Financial Institution’s secure website
2. ADD a Payee
   
   1. For TD Canada Trust, search: ‘Muskoka Lakes Tax’
   2. For all other institutions, search: ‘Muskoka Lakes Township - TAX’
3. Enter all 19 digits of your property tax assessment roll number excluding both the spaces and decimal.
4. Payments will be sent by your financial institution to us within three (3) to five (5) business days. Your account will not be credited until we receive the payment.

Financial Institutions

The following is a list of some commonly used financial institutions. Associated payee name is outlined above, subject to change without notice. If your financial institution is not listed or you require assistance, please contact your bank or financial institution directly.

• Royal Bank of Canada
• TD Canada Trust
• Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)
• Bank of Montreal
• CIBC
• HSBC
• Meridian Credit Union

Please Note: E-Transfers are not accepted by the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

Property tax payments can be made directly at your financial institution by taking a copy of your bill to the branch.

Payments by Financial Institution Through Your Mortgage

Some mortgagors will help ensure that you remain up to date on your property taxes.  Your lender may have the option to collect property tax payments from you as part of your regular mortgage payments and then pays your property taxes to the municipality on your behalf.  If this seems like an option that would best work for you, please contact your lender to discuss the availability of this option.