🛎️ Deadline Alert: Toronto's Vacant Home Tax Declaration! Due April 30, 2025. Key Answers to Common Questions

It's that time of the year again, Toronto! It's time to file your Toronto Vacant Home Tax.

Did you know the tax increased tripled from 1% to 3%? Below are popular Q&As to help guide you through the process and avoid unnecessary penalties.

Q: Who needs to file the Vacant Home Tax declaration?
A: If you own property in Toronto, you need to file a Vacant Home Tax declaration—even if you live in your home! The declaration helps the city determine whether your property is vacant or occupied. If your property is your primary residence, you’ll just confirm that it’s occupied. If your home is left vacant for 6 months or longer, you’ll need to file and potentially pay the tax. This applies to all property types—houses, condos, and even multi-unit buildings!

Q: Do I still have to file a declaration if I live in my home?
A: Yes! Even if your property is your primary residence, you’ve got to file a declaration. This helps the city confirm that your home isn’t sitting empty. Miss the deadline, and your place gets automatically marked as vacant, and you’ll be taxed. Not worth it!

Q: When is the due date for filing, and what is it related to?
A: The deadline to file your declaration is April 30th, 2025. The City of Toronto requires you to declare the status of all your Toronto properties for the previous year, 2024, to determine whether they were vacant or occupied.

Q: How can I file my Vacant Home Tax Declaration?
A: You can file online through the City of Toronto’s website using your property tax roll number and customer number (found on your property tax bill) - you may click here to get started on your declaration. Alternatively, you can file by phone at 416-392-CITY (2489) or in person at a Toronto tax office. The process is quick and typically takes just a few minutes!

Q: How long does it take to file my Vacant Home Tax declaration?
A: Good news—it’s pretty quick and easy! Once you have your 21-digit roll number and customer number from your property tax bill, you can file your declaration online through the city’s user-friendly portal. You’ll just need a few minutes to complete the form and confirm whether your home is vacant or occupied. Depending on how fast you can grab those numbers, you’re looking at less than 10 minutes to complete it!

Q: I thought the Vacant Home Tax was only 1%. Did it increase to 3%?
A: Yes, you’re right that it was 1% in previous years, but this year, the Vacant Home Tax has increased to 3% of your property’s assessed value. That’s a pretty significant jump! So if your property is vacant in 2024, the tax will be based on your property’s 2024 assessed value. 

Q: How much will I be taxed if my home is vacant?
A: Here’s how it works: if your property was vacant in 2024, the tax will be calculated based on the 2024 assessed value. For example, if your vacant property is valued at $1,300,000 then it would be taxed $39,000 (3% of $1,300,000). Definitely something to keep in mind if you're planning to leave your property vacant!

Q: Why did the tax increase?
A: The increase is part of Toronto’s strategy to address the affordable housing crisis. The goal is to encourage property owners to sell or rent out their homes, freeing up more housing for people who need it. More revenue from this tax will also go towards funding affordable housing initiatives across the city.

Q: Is there any way to avoid paying the tax?
A: Yes! You can avoid the tax by ensuring your home isn’t vacant for 6 months or more during the year. If your property is occupied—whether it’s your primary residence or a tenanted investment property—you just need to file a declaration to confirm your occupancy status, and you will not be taxed. 

Q: What if my house is empty for a reason—can I get an exemption?
A: Yes! There are several exemptions, such as if you were away due to illness, work, or travel, or if the property is under renovation. For illness or medical reasons, the property can be considered occupied even if you weren't physically living there.

Q: What if I forget to file by the deadline?
A: The city has made the process more forgiving this year, waiving the usual late fee. However, it’s still important to file by the deadline (April 30) to avoid being taxed for a vacant home. You can file through the new user-friendly portal by clicking here, or file by phone (call 416-392-2489), or you can also file in person by visiting a civic centre location.

Q: What if I own more than one property in Toronto? Do I need to file a declaration for each one?
A: Yes, if you own multiple properties in Toronto, you must file a separate Vacant Home Tax declaration for each property. Each property will be assessed individually based on its occupancy status. If any of your properties are vacant for 6 months or more during the year, you may be subject to the tax for that specific property. Just ensure each property is declared to avoid penalties.