With 94.5 per cent of residential property of owners confirmed for the 2024 Vacant Home Tax (VHT) declaration, the City of Toronto reminds all owners to notify the City by Wednesday, April 30. All residential property owners are required to make an annual declaration about whether their property is occupied or vacant. The City has received 789,023 declarations.
The VHT program supports the City’s efforts to increase the supply of housing and make homes more affordable by encouraging property owners to rent or sell their vacant homes. If a declaration is not received by the deadline, the property will be deemed vacant and a VHT Notice of Assessment will be issued. For the 2024 taxation year, the VHT rate is set at three per cent of a property’s Current Value Assessment.
Property owners have several options to submit their occupancy declaration:
To assist homeowners 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.
on the following dates:
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 generated by the Vacant Home Tax supports important housing initiatives outlined in the HousingTO Action Plan, such as funding for Toronto Community Housing Corporation units and the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition program which helps acquire and preserve at-risk rental housing as permanently affordable.
More information, including how to declare and details about exemptions, is available on the VHT program webpage or by calling 311.
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.