Tuesday, November 22, 2005

What is the difference between Tax Assessment and Property Taxes and the Mill Rate?


Purchasing a House: Property Taxes, Assessment & Market Value
Property Taxes are a lien on the land and as such are a secured debt to the municipality. As is the case with every municipality of the Province of Ontario, assessment are based on the prior years' market value and are levied against the property owner. Property Taxes are determined by multiplying the tax rate by the assessed value of the property provided for by MPAC.

Tax Rate (formerly called a mill rate) is the factor which, when multiplied by a property's current value assessment, determines the amount of property taxes to be levied against that property. The tax rate is determined after City Council approves the budget, which includes the total amount it needs to raise from taxes. City Council determines the current year tax rate usually by April 30 of the current year.


House Value There are numerous ways to determine the value of a home. An evaluation is a skilled estimate of a property’s market value, in accordance with recent sales of analogous properties, location, square footage and construction class. This service varies in cost depending on the price of the home. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value performed by a real estate agent based on similar sales and property attributes. Most agents offer free analyses in the hopes of winning your business. You also can get a comparable sales report for a fee from private companies that specialize in real estate data or find comparable sales information available on various real estate Internet sites.

Peel Region Tax Rate and Property Tax Calculation

The tax rate in the Region of Peel consists of three components. There is an area municipality portion (City of Mississauga or City of Brampton or Town of Caledon), a Region of Peel portion, and an education portion. Each of these portions is related to the budgetary needs of the area municipality, the Region of Peel and the provincial decision on education funding requirements.

The tax rate is expressed as a percentage of a property's assessed value. A tax rate is set for each class of property.

The tax rate multiplied by the assessed value, results in the amount of property taxes payable for the year. For example, if the residential tax rate is 1.053507% and the assessed value is $292,500, the property taxes would be $3,081.50



Variation between market value and appraised value:

The estimated value of a house is a certified appraiser’s opinion of the worth of a home at a given point in time. Lenders require appraisals as part of the loan application process; charges may vastly as per the location, area, and vicinity of the property. Market value is what price the house will bring at a given point in time. A comparative market analysis is an informal estimate of market value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker. Either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis is the most accurate way to determine what your home is worth.

Standards for estimating a house’s value:

Appraisers use several factors when estimating a home’s value, including the home’s size and square footage, the condition of the home and neighborhood, comparable local sales, any pertinent historical information, sales performance and indices that for value, based on sales of comparable properties, performed by a real estate agent or broker. Either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis is the most accurate way to determine what your home is worth.

Standards for estimating a house’s value:

Appraisers use several factors when estimating a home’s value, including the home’s size and square footage, the condition of the home and neighborhood, comparable local sales, any pertinent historical information, sales performance and indices that forecast future value.

House Value:

A home ultimately is worth what someone will pay for it. Everything else is an estimate of value. To determine a property’s value, most people turn to either an appraisal or a comparative market analysis. An appraisal is a certified appraiser’s estimate of the value of a home at a given point in time. Appraisers consider square footage, construction quality, design, floor plan, neighborhood and availability of transportation, shopping and schools. Appraisers also take lot size, topography, view and landscaping into account. A comparative market analysis is a real estate broker’s or agent’s informal estimate of a home’s market value, based on sales of comparable homes in a neighborhood. Most agents will give you a comparative market analysis for free. You can do your own cost comparison by looking up recent sales of comparable properties in public records. These records are available at local recorder or assessor offices, through private real estate information companies or on the Internet.

(data provided from NewsGator Online)

Read more about Property taxes and assessments in Region of Peel

Back to FAQ's for Mississauga Real Estate

2 comments:

  1. There is rarely a correlation between the assessed value of the home and the market price. This is actually of benefit when a mill rate is assessed. However, in certain tourist areas, or water front property, the local municipality may actually feel that the property is worth much more than the market will currently bear. In these situations tax rates can be excelssive. Unfortunately, rarely will a local municipality hear or rule on a tax appeal in favor of the property owner.

    -Randy

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  2. Hi Randy,

    Thanks for your comments.

    In Mississauga our assessments are not absolutely correct, but I have found that the relative increases and differences between one property and another are quite consistent and accurate. You are correct that the market price is typically different.

    I have also found that it is true that people who appeal seldom get the assessment reduced, unless there was a gross error.

    Thanks for your comments and have a great day, Mark

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