Pay your tax bill

You can pay your property tax bill through most online or telephone banking services:

• pay your tax bill at least 3 business days before the due date
• payee name may be “City of Waterloo Taxes” or “Waterloo Ontario Taxes”
• use your 15-digit roll number as the account number (no spaces or decimals)

During business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m):

• pay at the revenue counter at City Hall
• pay at the front desk at the Waterloo Service Centre
• bring your full bill with you
• pay with cash, debit or cheque

Drop box at City Hall (William Street entrance):

• cheques only (no cash)
• write your roll number on the back of the cheque
• include the payment stub from your bill
• include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want a receipt

Send a cheque payable to City of Waterloo:

• write your roll number on the back of the cheque
• include the bottom portion of your invoice
• include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want a receipt
• do not send cash

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

You can set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account to pay property taxes. Payments are withdrawn based on the plan you choose.

Pre-authorized payments may not start right away. Depending on your account and billing cycle, you might need to pay your next bill another way. We’ll confirm your start date once your pre-authorized payments are set up.

Payment plan options

12-month plan:

• payments are withdrawn on the 1st or 15th of each month
• runs January to December
• first six installments are based on the prior year’s taxes, then adjusted once new rates are set
• applications for the current year must be received by September 15

Due date plan:

• payments are withdrawn on the regular due dates (interim and final tax bills)
• any outstanding balance must be paid before enrolment

Arrears plan:

• for accounts with taxes owing, not for properties with a Tax Arrears Certificate
• payment withdrawn on the 1st of each month
• interest and penalties still apply on outstanding balances

You can get pre-authorized payment application forms for arrears plan at the revenue service front counter at City Hall or by emailing preauthorized@waterloo.ca. 

Before you apply

• any outstanding balance must be paid in full before you can enroll
• changes or cancellations must be submitted in writing 30 days before the next payment
• if you move within Waterloo, your plan does not transfer — you must cancel and re-apply for your new property
• if two bank payments are returned in a year, enrolment will be cancelled

You'll need this information to complete the form:

• your property tax roll number
• the property's address
• your name and mailing address, and a phone number and email that we can use to reach you
• numbers and information for the bank account you’d like to use for payments
• a photo of a void cheque or a pre-authorized debit form
• the names of all property owners

If a company or corporation owns the property, you'll also need:

• a copy of your Articles of Incorporation or Property Management Agreement

Apply for pre-authorized property tax payments

Change your plan

To change the plan type or banking information connected to your pre-authorized payment plan, complete the online form at least 30 days before your next scheduled payment date. 

You'll need this information to complete the form:

• your property tax online account code
• the property's address
• your name and mailing address, and a phone number and email that we can use to reach you
• numbers and information for the bank account you’d like to use for payments
• a photo of a void cheque or a pre-authorized debit form
• the names of all property owners

If a company or corporation owns the property, you'll also need:

• a copy of your Articles of Incorporation or Property Management Agreement

Change your pre-authorized payment plan

Change requests can also be made in person, at City Hall.   

Cancel your plan

To cancel a pre-authorized payment or payment plan, email preauthorized@waterloo.ca at least 30 days prior to the next payment.

Cancelation requests can also be made in person, at City Hall.

Interim bills:

• cover taxes for the first six months of the year
• mailed in February
• due in March and May
• based on 50% of the previous year’s taxes

Final bills

• cover taxes for the last 6 months of the year
• mailed in June
• residential bills are due in July and September
• multi-residential, commercial and industrial bills are due in September and October
• 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 supplementary bills:

• if your mortgage includes taxes, forward the bill to your mortgage company
• if you are on pre-authorized payments, supplementary and omitted tax bills bills are not paid automatically — you must pay by online banking, by mail or in person by the due date
• if the bill covers a time before you owned the home, forward it to your lawyer to arrange for payment