Fergus, Ont. man feels nickel-and-dimed for $0.05 property tax bill
A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.
It’s not uncommon to hear people complain about taxes, but one man is speaking out because the bill is so low.
“Really? Five cents? Someone sent a bill for five cents?” said Blake Kent, recalling his reaction when he first saw the bill.
He is the board’s treasurer for the freehold townhouse condo complex his lives in. The recent property tax bill is addressed to the property manager and is for shared spaces like the walkway and parkette. The property manager did pay up.
“They actually sent a cheque for five cents,” said Kent.
Property owners in this subdivision pay their own individual tax bills, but he wasn’t previously aware of tax payments for common areas.
“There is a clause in the Condominium Act that does permit the billing of common elements,” said Kent.
Given the amount is so low, he feels it’s a waste of resources and hopes the account is eventually closed since it’s less than $1. With a background in finance, he said that’s something he saw done often when he was working.
“This is ridiculous. The cost of the paper the cost of the envelope and the 51 cents or whatever Canada Post is charging for first-class mail,” said Kent.
In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson for the Township of Centre Wellington said it is the responsibility of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to determine property valuation.
“As a township, we are solely responsible for the levying of property taxes based on MPAC property assessment data, and to do so in fair an equitable manner for all properties within the Township, regardless of valuation. We have notified MPAC of this valuation matter,” the statement reads, in part.
The spokesperson also reiterated it is the responsibility of the property manager to pay the tax bill as presented.
MPAC said for inquiries about property tax bills, the issuing and collecting municipality should be contacted directly.
An emailed statement from MPAC reads: “According to the Condominium Act, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is required to describe a common element condo plan separately by its own roll number, as they are considered parcels. In conjunction with the Assessment Act, a nominal assessment value is applied to these property types (i.e., used for private roads, parks, and other similar spaces) as the value of the property would already be captured in the assessment of the associated freehold properties.”
Despite the township saying they have notified MPAC, it is unclear whether this $0.05 bi-annual property tax bill will eventually be waived.
That means for the year, Kent is expecting property management to pay a grand total of $0.10 in property taxes for the common spaces.
He said, it gives quite a literal meaning to the term nickel-and-diming and hopes his gripe prompts some discussion.
“Hey boss, should we be sending out tax notices for a nickel?”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.