Ottawa Property Tax 2026
Ottawa’s residential property tax rate is approximately 1.01%.
Property assessments in Ottawa are handled by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), not the City of Ottawa. MPAC assesses every property in Ontario on a 4-year cycle, but valuations have been frozen at 2016 values since the province delayed the planned reassessment. This means your assessed value may be significantly lower than current market value, which keeps tax bills lower than they would be under a current-value assessment. When the province eventually updates the assessment base, many Ottawa homeowners will see a notable increase.
If you believe MPAC’s assessment is inaccurate, you can request a reconsideration for free within 120 days, or file a formal appeal with the Assessment Review Board (ARB) for $125. Appeals must be based on factual errors, comparable properties, or incorrect classification — you cannot appeal simply because your tax bill is high.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Residential tax rate | 1.01% |
| Per $1,000 assessed value | $10.10 |
| Assessment authority | MPAC |
| Assessment base | 2016 values |
Ottawa Property Tax Calculator
| Assessed Value | Annual Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,040 | $337 |
| $500,000 | $5,050 | $421 |
| $600,000 | $6,060 | $505 |
| $700,000 | $7,070 | $589 |
| $800,000 | $8,080 | $673 |
| $900,000 | $9,090 | $758 |
| $1,000,000 | $10,100 | $842 |
Ottawa vs Ontario Cities
Ottawa’s tax rate is higher than Toronto’s because Ontario uses a current-value assessment system where tax rates are inversely related to property values. Toronto’s property values are much higher than Ottawa’s, so a lower rate generates the same revenue per capita. A $700,000 home in Ottawa pays roughly the same tax as a $1.1 million home in Toronto. Among mid-sized Ontario cities, Ottawa’s rate is moderate — significantly lower than Windsor (1.78%) or London (1.29%).
| City | Tax Rate | Tax on $600K |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 0.63% | $3,780 |
| Mississauga | 0.77% | $4,620 |
| Ottawa | 1.01% | $6,060 |
| Hamilton | 1.22% | $7,320 |
| London | 1.29% | $7,740 |
| Windsor | 1.78% | $10,680 |
Ottawa Tax Hybrid Zone
National Capital Region includes Ontario and Quebec:
| Location | Property Tax | Income Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa (ON) | 1.01% | Ontario rates | 13% HST |
| Gatineau (QC) | 1.12% | Quebec rates | 14.975% |
Payment Options
Ottawa offers four quarterly instalment due dates (typically March, May, July, and September) or monthly pre-authorized payments. Enrolling in monthly pre-authorized payments spreads the cost over 11 months and avoids the risk of missing a quarterly deadline. Late payments are subject to a 1.25% monthly penalty (15% annually), which compounds quickly on larger tax bills.
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-authorized (monthly) | Available |
| Installments | 4 per year |
| Online banking | City of Ottawa payee |
Related Pages
Ottawa vs Ontario Cities
| City | Tax Rate | Tax on $700K | Tax on $900K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 0.63% | $4,410 | $5,670 |
| Mississauga | 0.77% | $5,390 | $6,930 |
| Ottawa | 1.01% | $7,070 | $9,090 |
| Hamilton | 1.22% | $8,540 | $10,980 |
| London | 1.29% | $9,030 | $11,610 |
| Windsor | 1.78% | $12,460 | $16,020 |
Ottawa’s rate is higher than Toronto’s and Mississauga’s, but comparable to many mid-sized Ontario cities. Its rate reflects lower average property values compared to the GTA.
What Ottawa Property Tax Funds
| Component | Approx. Share | Key Services |
|---|---|---|
| City of Ottawa | ~55% | Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Fire, OC Transpo, roads |
| Education | ~35% | Ottawa-Carleton DSB, Catholic DSB, French boards |
| Other | ~10% | Ottawa Community Housing, other levies |
Ottawa Property Tax Programs
| Program | Who Qualifies | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Low-income seniors tax deferral | 65+, income-tested | Defer current year taxes as lien on property |
| Low-income disability tax deferral | Income-tested disability | Same as seniors |
| Heritage property tax rebate | Designated heritage properties | Up to 40% rebate |
Ottawa vs Gatineau: Cross-River Comparison
Many Ottawa workers consider buying in Gatineau, QC across the river. Key differences:
| Factor | Ottawa (ON) | Gatineau (QC) |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax rate | ~1.01% | ~1.12% |
| Income tax (at $100K) | ~$24,400 | ~$26,700 |
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 14.975% QST+GST |
| Land transfer tax | Ontario LTT | Quebec Welcome Tax |
Ottawa typically offers a lower overall tax burden despite the slightly lower property tax rate in Gatineau.