Property Taxes

The difference between the Rural and Village rates is due to the cost of police services. Peterborough Police (Lakefield wards - 030) versus OPP (Ennismore and Smith wards).

2025 Tax Rates

How Property Tax is Calculated

The amount of tax payable on your property is the result of a calculation based on four factors:

• The assessed value of your property (set by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation)
• The type of property you own (tax class)
• The tax rate for your property (set annually by Township and County Council)
• The education tax rate for your property (set annually by the Province on Ontario)

Note: The minimum tax bill per year is $25.00

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the Current Value Assessment of your property by the combined Township, County and education tax rates.

If the property is located in Woodland Acres, you will also need to add on the annual charges for water and wastewater.

To determine the assessment value for a property, use the Property Search through Virtual Town Hall.

Tax Rate By-law and Schedule

• 2025 Tax Rate By-law and Schedule

Interim Tax Notices are based on approximately half of the previous year's total tax levy. Interim Tax Notices are sent at the end of January, and Final Tax Notices are sent at the end of June.

You can receive a digital copy of your Property Tax Notice by signing up for Paperless Notifications through your Virtual Town Hall account.

Supplementary Tax Notices and Adjustments

Supplementary Tax Notices

Have you improved your property with a new structure or upgrade?

In Ontario, property assessments are managed by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). When you make improvements that increase your property’s value, MPAC may issue a supplementary assessment notice. This triggers a tax notice from the Township, calculated based on the new value, applicable tax rate, and relevant time period. You will receive a notice from MPAC before the tax bill arrives.

For example, if you build a garage in 2023, you may receive a supplementary tax notice in 2025 for the increased value covering 2023, 2024, and 2025.

If you’re on a Pre-Authorized Payment (PAP) plan, supplementary taxes will be automatically withdrawn. If adjustments are needed, we’ll notify you.

Supplementary tax notices are in addition to interim and final tax bills and do not replace existing taxes.

Adjustments and Changes

If your property’s assessed value has been reduced due to changes like a demolition, submit a Section 357 Application.

Assessment values, tax classes, and roll numbers are set by MPAC, and changes can only be made under their direction.

Current-year reductions are processed after final tax notices are issued.

Property taxes can be paid by pre-authorized payment plan, online/telephone banking, cash, debit, cheque or credit card through PaySimply. For details, please see our Payment Options and Information page.

There are property tax incentive programs that property owner's can apply for. Each program requires an application through an external agency which upon approval is provided to MPAC for assessment classification and valuation, which is then provided to the Township of Selwyn for taxation.

• Farmland Property Class (FT assessment class)
• Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (TT assessment class)
• Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (EN assessment class)

To determine the amount of property taxes paid in the last year, see your Final Tax Notice (sent in June). The Final Levies are located in the Summary section.

To request a statement of account, please complete the Property Tax Statement Request Form.

Want to receive your Notices electronically? Sign up for Virtual Town Hall.

Properties located in the Village of Lakefield and Woodland Acres subdivisions are serviced by municipal water and wastewater.

The Village of Lakefield receives a separate Water and Sewer Invoice from Selwyn Township, and Woodland Acres is billed by the Township under the "Special Charges" section of the Interim and Final Tax Notices each year.

For current rates and billing information, please visit the Municipal Water & Wastewater page.

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for assigning the assessment value and class for all properties in Ontario. The Township of Selwyn uses this information to set property tax rates and calculate the Property Tax Levies.

Visit the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) website to:

• Request a Copy of Your Notice of Assessment
• View the Taxation Toolkit
• Learn about your Property
• Direction of School Support