Halifax Property Tax Calculator 2023
The stormwater right-of-way charge that has been a part of the Halifax Water bill is moving to the municipal property tax bill. The rate, which was an annual flat fee of $40, will also change to a new amount based on the assessed value of the property. The change will be reflected in the fall 2023 municipal property tax bill.
The City of Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia, located within the ancestral lands of the Mi'kmaq indigenous people and is home to over 439K residents. The population of Halifax increased by 9.1% from 2016 to 2021. Halifax real estate prices increased by 21.5% from August 2022 to August 2023, and the average price of a home in Halifax in August 2023 was $575K. The number of sales decreased by 8.4% in the same period. Halifax home prices have been on the rise since the pandemic due to an increase in demand from migrants, making the market unaffordable for many locals.
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Halifax Property Taxes
Property tax is a tax based on the assessed value of a property. If you own a property or parcel of land, you will have to pay property tax. It is used to pay for city services such as police, the fire department, and public transit as well as elementary and secondary education.
| Residential Property Tax Rate for Halifax from 2010 to 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Municipal Rate | Educational Rate | Final Tax Rate |
| 2023 | 0.649000% | 0.019000% | 1.115000% |
| 2022 | 0.626000% | 0.019000% | 1.084000% |
| 2021 | 0.667000% | 0.022000% | 1.189000% |
| 2020 | 0.670000% | 0.305000% | 1.038000% |
| 2019 | 0.673000% | Not Available | 1.205500% |
| 2018 | 0.667000% | Not Available | 1.198000% |
| 2017 | 0.813000% | 0.307000% | 1.210000% |
| 2016 | 0.669000% | 0.302000% | 1.210000% |
| 2015 | 0.658000% | 0.302000% | 1.210000% |
| 2014 | 0.668000% | 0.299000% | 1.210000% |
| 2013 | 0.661000% | 0.294000% | 1.240000% |
| 2012 | 0.708800% | 0.295000% | 1.280000% |
| 2011 | 0.714000% | 0.306000% | 1.310000% |
| 2010 | 0.702000% | 0.312000% | 1.290000% |
Halifax Property Tax Department Information
For any questions or inquiries about your property tax rate or property tax bill, you can reach out to the city of Halifax's property tax department through the following methods:
Halifax Property Tax Department Information
For any questions or inquiries about your property tax rate or property tax bill, you can reach out to the city of Halifax's property tax department through the following methods:
| Halifax at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Province | Nova Scotia |
| Settled Year | 1605 |
| Established Year | 1749 |
| Incorporated Year | 1996 |
| Population | 439,819 |
| City Area | 5,490.35 km 2 (2,119.84 sq mi) |
Property Taxes in Atlantic Canada for a $500K Assessed Value Home*
Property Assessments in Atlantic Canada
Properties in Atlantic Canada are assessed by different organizations for each province.
Nova Scotia
For Nova Scotia, properties are assessed by the Property Valuation Services Corporation which mails out property assessment notices every year in January.
New Brunswick
For New Brunswick, properties are assessed by the province through Service New Brunswick (SNB) which mails out property assessment notices every year in October.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
For PEI, properties are assessed by the province which mails out property assessment notices along with the property tax bill every year in May.
Newfoundland and Labrador
For Newfoundland and Labrador, properties are assessed by the Municipal Assessment Agency which mails out property assessment notices every year before September.
Most properties are assessed using a market value-based approach. There are three ways that uses to determine a property’s market value:
- Direct Comparison Approach
- Cost Approach
- Income Approach
Residential properties are valued under this approach. This compares the sales of similar properties in the assessment year to determine a valuation for the property. The assessed value may not equal the actual market value or sale value of a property.
Unique and rarely traded properties are valued under this approach. This uses the cost of the property if someone were to rebuild it to determine a valuation for the property minus depreciation due to age or other factors. This includes the price of the land and the price of all improvements (e.g. buildings) on top of it. While this takes into account the market value of the land, it does not consider the market value of the property as a whole.
For properties that are dedicated to generating income like rental properties or offices, an income-based approach is used. This approach uses the income generated by the property as well as the sales price to determine its assessed value.
Property Tax of Other Cities in Atlantic Canada
Halifax homeowners looking to save money are switching to mortgages with lower interest rates. This can decrease your monthly mortgage payments, so you keep more money in your pocket. Learn more about low-interest Halifax mortgages today!