Hamilton council to vote on extending vacant unit tax declaration deadline

The City of Hamilton is expected to extend the deadline for homeowners to complete their vacant unit tax (VUT) declaration.

The extension may be formalized during a council meeting Wednesday, pushing the deadline to May 30.

The initial deadline was set for January of this year, but it was changed to April 30 due to the Canada Post strike late last year.

A city report says eight per cent of property owners did not submit their VUT declaration by April 30.

The goal of the VUT is to increase the supply of housing in Hamilton by encouraging homeowners to keep their properties occupied rather than vacant.

READ MORE: Hamilton vacant unit tax declarations dates delayed due to postal strike

All residential property owners must submit a VUT declaration, even if the property is their primary residence and is occupied.

This includes homeowners living in their own home, as well as those who own secondary or rental properties.

If council does not approve pushing the deadline to May 30, approximately 13,500 residential properties who did not declare by April 30 will be deemed vacant and subject to a one per cent tax of the total assessed property value.

Homeowners can submit their declaration online, over the phone, email, mail and in person at drop-in declaration clinics. Printed declaration forms will also be accepted at all Municipal Services Centres in Hamilton.

READ MORE: Toronto-area home sales fall in April as buyers wait out trade uncertainty: board