Publisher’s note - March 2015

No property increase is welcomed but sometimes a small one is a necessity to keep the city moving forward.

I don’t debate politics in this column and the recent tax increase approved by the city of Toronto of 2.75 per cent is a done deal for 2015 anyway.

The good news is that I am reminded of a great program for seniors and persons with disabilities where there is some potential tax relief for those among us that can least afford an increase.

This City of Toronto program gives low-income seniors and low-income persons with a disability the opportunity to apply for a cancellation of property tax increases.

If you have applied for and received a cancellation last year, you should continue to apply each year, even where your taxes may have decreased.

This will ensure that you obtain the maximum deferral benefit.

To qualify for a cancellation of a property tax increase you must:

* Have a combined household income of $38,000 or less AND

* Have a residential assessment of $650,000 or less AND

* Be 65 years of age or older; OR,

* Be 60-64 years of age and be in receipt of a Guaranteed Income Supplement under the Old Age Security Act; if widowed, be in receipt of the Spouses Allowance under the Old Age Security Act; OR,

* Be a person with a disability and be in receipt of disability benefits.

Please visit the City of Toronto website or perhaps have one of your family members help you search for this important information.

It’s worth taking the time to check this out!