Tax billing and account changes

Interim bills

Interim bills cover taxes due for the first six months of a year, paid in two instalments. Bills are mailed out in February with payments due in March and May.

Amounts are estimated based on 50 percent of the previous year's property taxes.

Final bills cover taxes due for the last six months of a year, paid in two instalments. Bills are mailed out in June, with payments due in July and September.

Final bills are calculated using the current year's assessment and tax rate, less your interim bill.

Supplementary and omitted tax bills are issued throughout the year to owners of newly built or significantly altered properties.

To determine what property 'change events' may trigger new tax bills, visit the the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) website.

Billing process 

1. You will receive a Property Assessment Change Notice from MPAC with the supplementary and/or omitted assessment value.
2. A supplementary/omitted tax bill(s) will be issued by the city. The effective dates on the bill could be from date of occupancy or date of purchase.
3. Bills are calculated by multiplying the supplementary and/or omitted assessment value by the tax rate for the applicable tax year.
4. If you own a new property, the first regular tax bill you receive from the city may only be for the portion relating to land value. You should expect a supplementary and/or omitted bill for the structure to follow.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the City of Waterloo tax office has up to date mailing information.

Paying your bill

If your mortgage payment includes taxes, please forward the supplementary bill to your mortgage company.

If you are currently enrolled for pre-authorized payments, supplementary and/or omitted tax bills will not be paid from your financial institution account. Payment for supplementary bills may be made by online or mobile banking, by mail, or in person and must be received by the due date.

If you receive supplementary/omitted tax bills and you did not own the home during this time, please forward the bills to your lawyer to arrange for payment.

Online or telephone banking

When paying online or by phone through your bank, we recommend paying at least three business days before the due date. Most banks can schedule payments ahead of time.

The payee name can vary depending on the bank. The most common are “City of Waterloo Taxes” and “Waterloo Ontario Taxes.”

Use your 15-digit tax roll number as the account number. Do not leave any spaces or decimal points between the numbers (012345678910000, for example). Contact your bank if you need assistance.

Pre-authorized payments

Using this plan we automatically withdraw scheduled tax payments from your bank account. The deadline to apply for a current tax year is September 15. Full details are on the pre-authorized tax billing application form.

Download application form (PDF)

Completed form and void cheque can be submitted in person at the revenue counter or in the deposit boxes at city hall, by fax at 519-747-8760, by email to preauthorized@waterloo.ca, or by mail to:

Revenue Services
City of Waterloo
100 Regina Street South
PO Box 337, Station Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8

To cancel a pre-authorized payment or change your banking information, download and submit a cancellation/change form (PDF).

In person

During business hours visit the revenue counter at city hall or front desk at the Waterloo Service Centre. Cash, cheque and debit are accepted. Please bring your entire tax bill with you.

You can also drop off a payment at any time in a secure box at the William Street entrance of city hall. Only cheques payable to the City of Waterloo are accepted. Please do not use cash. Other tips if paying by this method:

• Write your roll number on the back of your cheques

• Include a payment stub from your bill

• Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a receipt

By mail 

Write your tax roll number on the back of a cheque (payable to the City of Waterloo), include the bottom portion of your invoice and send to:

Revenue Services
City of Waterloo
100 Regina Street South
PO Box 337, Station Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a receipt. Do not send cash.

Change of address

To have property tax bills sent to a different address, download a notice of mailing address change form (PDF). 

Completed forms can be submitted by fax at 519-747-8760, by email to revenue@waterloo.ca, or by mail to:

Revenue Services
City of Waterloo
100 Regina Street South
PO Box 337, Station Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8

Failure to redirect your tax bills or advise of a change in mailing address, could result in a penalty and interest charges of 1.25% per month on overdue tax accounts.

Change of ownership

• a copy of the registered transfer deed, or

• a letter from a lawyer addressed to the city confirming the ownership transfer and closing date

If you receive a tax bill for a property you no longer own, please return it immediately, indicating to whom (if known) the transfer of the title has been made. Alternatively, you can direct the bill to the new owner of the property.

The information can be submitted in three ways:

1. Fax to 519-747-8760
2. Email to ownershipchange@waterloo.ca
3. Mail to:

Revenue Services
City of Waterloo
100 Regina Street South
PO Box 337, Station Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8

Deceased owner

For a change in ownership due to a listed owner passing away, please submit:

• copy of death certificate, and

• a letter from your lawyer, or

• copy of the transfer deed showing joint tenancy, or

• survivorship application

Fees