Property Tax Billing
Property Tax Due Dates and Penalties
The City of Hamilton mails property tax bills twice per year. You receive one tax bill each time in the mail that contains two payment stubs:
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The interim bill is mailed in early February with two installments due for those who pay by the installment due dates:
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Installment one is due by the last working day in February
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Installment two is due by the last working day in April
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We do not send interim bills to residents on the Monthly Pre-Authorized Payment plans. If you are on this plan, we will advise you of your new monthly payment amount in December.
If you pay your taxes through your mortgage, you will not be sent an interim bill.
All taxpayers will receive the Final Tax Bill/Notice once City Council has approved the yearly budget.
For taxpayers on a monthly plan they will be advised of their new monthly amount on the Notice. For taxpayers paying by a mortgage company the notice is for their records and their mortgage company will again be sent an electronic file to pay on their behalf. For taxpayers who pay by the instalment due dates the following applies:
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The final bill/notice is mailed in early June with two installments due:
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Final bill installment one is due by the last working day in June
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Final bill installment two is due by the last working day in September
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Taxes
Penalties and Interest Charges
When paying by mail, through a bank or in person, you assume the responsibility if your payment arrives late. The post-mark date or bank stamp will be honoured in the event of payments received in our office after the due date. Penalties are charged for payments received after the due date.
Penalty Charges
The current penalty charge is 1.25%. Penalty is charged on the unpaid taxes on the first day of default.
Interest Charges
The current interest charge is 1.25% per month or 15.00% per year. Interest for each month or fraction thereof is added on the first day of each calendar month to all taxes past due, until the taxes are paid.
Payment Application Rules
Payments received on properties that are in arrears have their payment applied first to the oldest years’ penalties and interest, then to the oldest years’ principal taxes, then to the oldest years’ other charges (i.e., other charges that were added to taxes such as water arrears or property standards charges).
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