Tax Assessments Get A New Look

The Municipality Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has redesigned the 2008 property assessment notice to make it easier to read and understand. This year's assessment notice will include the following:

* the assessed value of the property for each of the next four tax years
* the percentage by which the property has increased or decreased in value since the last assessment update in 2005, and the average percentage by which properties across the municipality have changed in value
* a history of past adjustments, if any, made by MPAC through a request for the reconsideration process, or the assessment review board to the assessed value of the property, and whether these are reflected in the current assessment
* details about the property, including lot size, square footage, year of construction
* a user ID and password that can be used to access About MyProperty
* the address of the nearest MPAC local office where questions can be answered and concerns addressed in person
* the toll-free phone number for MPAC's customer contact centre.

A brochure is being mailed with each notice, explaining how property owners can determine if their assessment is accurate and, if they feel it isn't, what options are available to them.

For more information, taxpayers can call the MPAC customer contact centre at 1-866-296-MPAC (6722). This is toll-free.