Can seniors defer property taxes in Ontario?

Ontario provides property tax deferral programs for eligible homeowners, and seniors are among the primary intended beneficiaries. However, the availability and terms of property tax deferral in Ontario are set at the municipal level, not the provincial level — programs vary by municipality and are not universally available across the province.

Some Ontario municipalities offer a low-income seniors' property tax deferral program that allows qualifying seniors to defer some or all of their annual property tax increase (or in some cases their full property tax bill) until they sell the property or it passes to an estate. The deferred amount accumulates as a lien against the property, accruing interest at a specified rate, and is repaid from the sale proceeds or estate.

The Province of Ontario also provides a property tax credit through the Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG), which is a refundable personal income tax credit claimed on the annual T1 return. This is not a deferral but a direct grant toward property taxes for lower-income senior homeowners who reside in their home.

Eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and program terms differ by municipality. Contact your municipal tax office and speak with a tax advisor about federal and provincial credits that may apply to your specific situation.