The City of Toronto is reminding residential property owners that there is just one week left to submit their 2024 Vacant Home Tax (VHT) declaration. The deadline to declare is Wednesday, April 30 by 11:59 p.m.
If a declaration is not received by the deadline, the property will be deemed vacant and a VHT Notice of Assessment will be issued. The VHT rate is set at three per cent of a property’s Current Value Assessment.
To date, the City has received more than 812,000 declarations, representing 97.3 per cent of all residential properties in Toronto.
The VHT program is part of the City’s plan to get property owners to rent or sell empty homes, helping to increase housing options and make housing more affordable in Toronto. All residential property owners must report each year if their property is occupied or vacant.
How to declare
Property owners can submit their occupancy declaration using one of the following methods:
In-person support at civic centres
To assist property owners with their declaration, City staff will be available at pop-up sessions next to Tax and Utility counters at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
About the VHT program
The VHT program applies to residences that have been unoccupied for more than six months in the previous calendar year unless it is the owner’s primary residence, the principal residence of someone permitted to live there, was occupied by a tenant for at least six months or qualifies for an exemption. All property owners must submit an annual declaration, even if the property is their primary residence and occupied.
Revenue from the VHT supports vital housing initiatives under the HousingTO Action Plan, including funding for Toronto Community Housing Corporation units and the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition Program, which helps preserve affordable rental housing.
More details including how to declare and information on exemptions is available on the City’s VHT program webpage or by calling 311.
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