Tax billings

Bills are sent by Canada Post regular letter mail at least 21 days before the first instalment due dates for both interim and final property tax billings. 

To receive your bills more quickly, we encourage you to enroll in e-billing using the sign-up link in the Forms section below.

If you're looking for a way to view and manage your account online, after you sign up for e-billing, also enroll in Virtual City Hall. You’ll be able to check your balance, review past billing information, and download copies of your bills.

1. Pre-authorized Payments: Enroll in our pre-authorized payment plan.
2. Financial institution: Payments can be made in-person at any financial institution (FI), at an automated teller machine (ATM), or by using your FI’s website, app, or telephone service. Add the City of Welland as a payee by searching for “Welland Tax” and use your 15-digit account number from your bill (no dashes). Electronic payments are applied based on the business date that the account holder’s FI reports as the payment date. Account holders are responsible for determining their FI’s payment cut-off times.
3. In-person: Pay by cash, cheque, or debit at City Hall, 60 East Main Street, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
4. Virtual City Hall: Pay by Visa or MasterCard online through Virtual City Hall (additional third-party credit card fee applies).
5. After hours: Deposit payments (cheques only) in the City Hall drop box, located at the first set of doors closest to Cross Street.
6. Payment by mail: Enclose payment stub(s) with cheque/money order. If you require a receipt for payment, please send a self-addressed/stamped envelope or your email address along with the bill and your payment. Payment must be received by the due date.

Discover the convenience of the City of Welland’s pre-authorized payment plan. This voluntary plan offers you an easy, timesaving way to have your tax payments automatically deducted from your bank account. It means eliminating the chore of ensuring your payment reaches City Hall by the due date. There are no service charges or fees for enrolling in the plan. All that is required is completing and submitting the Tax pre-authorized payment form, along with a VOID cheque or pre-authorized debit form from your financial institution.

How does the plan work?

Payments are deducted on the last business banking day of each month or on the installment due date, depending on the option you choose. All accounts are eligible, provided they are up to date at your desired start date. The application form must be received by the 15th day of the month you want the plan to start.

• Option 1 for taxes: The installment amount due will be deducted on the installment due dates as set out on the tax bill.
• Option 2 for taxes: This option allows ratepayers to pay their taxes in 11 monthly installments. The first five months (January to May) will be an estimated amount based on the previous year’s tax levy, plus an estimated percentage increase for the current year. Once the current year’s tax rates are established, the last six payments (June to November) are adjusted to reflect the current year’s taxes, minus the amount already paid during the first five months. Payments are deducted on the last business day of each month beginning in January and ending in November.

What if my banking information changes, or I want to cancel the pre-authorized payment plan?

The plan is entirely flexible. If your banking information changes, or you want to cancel your pre-authorized payment plan, you must notify the finance department, in writing, at least 15 days before the effective date.

If my mortgage company pays the property taxes, can I switch to the pre-authorized payment plan?

If your taxes are currently being paid by a mortgage company and you wish to start on the pre-authorized payment plan, you will need to contact a service representative at your financial institution and request that written notification from the mortgage company be forwarded to the City of Welland finance division confirming this request. Any applications received for accounts currently being paid by a mortgage company will be returned to the applicant and can be resubmitted once the mortgage company has advised the finance division that they will no longer be responsible for the taxes.

Questions?

For further information on the pre-authorized payment plan, please contact the finance division.

Registered charities occupying property in the commercial or industrial class may be eligible for property tax rebates of 40 per cent. All those who wish to apply must have a valid registration number issued by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and submit an application by the last day of February following the tax year.

The application form can be downloaded and is available from the finance department.

Under Section 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act, applications may be made to the City for a reduction in assessment for the following reasons:

• Building was razed by fire - s. 357(1)(d)(i)
• Building was demolished - s. 357(1)(d)(ii)
• Ceases to be liable for the tax rate at which the property had originally been taxed - s. 357(1)(a)
• Became exempt from property taxation - s. 357(1)(c)
• Is damaged and substantially unusable - s. 357(1)(d)(ii)
• Mobile unit is removed - s. 357(1)(e)
• Experience a gross or manifest clerical/factual error - s. 357(1)(f) or 358(1)
• Is under repairs/renovations preventing normal use (minimum 3 months and building permit required) - s. 357(1)(g)
• Sickness or extreme poverty - s. 357(1)(d.1)
• Vacant or excess land - s. 357(1)(b)

An application must be completed and submitted on the prescribed form (Application for adjustment of taxes under section 357 or 368, link below). Forms can be sent to tax@welland.ca or City Hall. All supporting documentation must be included with your application. The deadline to apply is on or before February 28 of the following year in respect of which the application is being made.

For all other questions or concerns regarding your property's assessment, contact MPAC directly at 1-866-296-6722 or visit www.mpac.ca.

Application for adjustment of taxes under section 357 or 358

A supplemental tax bill may be issued when there is an increase in the value of your property, an addition to the property, the construction of an inground swimming pool, the construction of a new building, or a change in classification. The change can be backdated to the date the change occurred, up to a maximum of two years plus the current year. A supplemental tax bill may be issued at any time during the year.

Supplemental taxes are billed in addition to any other billing you may receive during the year. The due date for a supplemental tax bill may be any time during the year, and may be due with as little as three weeks notice. Supplemental bill payments can be made in one or two installments.

You will only receive a supplemental tax bill once the property has been assessed by MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation), and after that information has been forwarded to the City of Welland. There is no exact timeframe with this process.

A fee will be charged for a duplicate receipt or statement of account.

Penalties will be added in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001 and City by-laws on any unpaid overdue taxes.

Overdue taxes are subject to a 1.25 per cent penalty on the first day of default and an additional 1.25 per cent interest will be added on the first day of each month until paid in full.

2026 installment dates