KENILWORTH – Wellington North council has endorsed waiving penalties and interest on property taxes.
The waiver covers 2020 amounts for 60 days from the due date, beginning with the April 24 instalment deadline.
“This would ensure that all property owners/taxpayers who find themselves facing financial hardship during this outbreak can defer the upcoming property tax instalment without penalty until June 30,” stated director of finance Adam McNabb in an update posted on the municipality’s website on April 21.
“Wellington North recognizes that residents and businesses may experience financial strain and economic impact during the COVID-19 outbreak and that municipal office closures may affect payments owed to the municipality,” the notices states.
The township indicates property tax accounts will be adjusted as necessary to reflect these relief measures and notes instalment due dates have not been changed or deferred.
The municipality is urging property owners who are able to make payments to continue to do so to mitigate increasing tax payment burden for later in the year.
It also encourages property owners to utilize online payment methods provided by their financial institution utilizing their tax roll number, or enrolment in a preauthorized payment plan that can be coordinated by contacting the township directly.
Property owners currently enrolled in the monthly pre-authorized payment plan will continue to have payments withdrawn from their accounts (the next withdrawal date is May 15). Anyone wishing to withdraw from this plan, should contact the township.
Similarly, those property owners who have provided post-dated cheques for future instalments, will continue to have their cheques deposited on their corresponding dates unless they present a request to the township to have the cheques withdrawn. Pre-authorized and post cheque queries can be directed to Mary Jo Marshall at 519-848-3620 Ext. 4229 during regular office hours.
Property owners engaged in agreements with banks for taxes being paid as part of a mortgage arrangement are urged to contact their financial institutions to ensure that they will continue to make the requisite instalment payments on behalf of owners, and reconcile their accounts with the property owners if any deferral programs/alternate arrangement have been made, the township states.
