On Monday, February 1, 2021, the Town of Pelham Councill approved the Special Pre-authorized Property Taxes COVID-19 Payment Plan for 2021.

Pelham Council approved the creation of the plan for 2021, allowing all taxpayers whose taxes were paid in full as of February 28, 2020, and who have since experienced severe financial hardship due to the pandemic, to pay their outstanding 2020 and 2021 property taxes penalty and interest-free over a 10- month period starting March 2021.

Applications are due by February 19, 2021, for the 10-month payment period. After this date, applicants will see the payment period reduced by the number of months left in 2021.

The application-based program allows for all property taxpayers to pay their outstanding 2020 tax balance (including any penalty and interest charged), in addition to their 2021 taxes, through pre-authorized payments over 10 equal instalments on the 15th of each month from March 15, 2021, to December 15, 2021.

The Town will not charge a penalty, and interest will not be charged on accounts for this pre-authorized plan. If a payment returns NSF, the property tax account holder must replace the payment within the first month of default. A $30 NSF fee will be charged for the returned transaction. If the payment is not replaced within one month, the account will be removed from the program, and the normal penalty and interest will apply as of the date of default.
Program restrictions:

• All applications must be made on the Town’s form and must include documentation that reasonably and sufficiently establishes eligibility under the pre-authorized payment program.
• Applications will automatically be denied if false, inaccurate or insufficient information is provided. Eligibility for inclusion in the program will be determined at the time the application is first approved, and changes in financial circumstances before December 1, 2021, will not affect eligibility.
• The Treasurer’s determinations with respect to eligibility shall be final.

Please read the eligibility requirements for the given property class below before completing the form.

Eligibility criteria for residential and farm taxpayers

The property owner must have experienced financial hardship directly related to the COVD-19 pandemic in the form of a temporary or permanent loss of employment or a decrease in income of greater than 70 percent. The property must be in the taxable residential property class with a residential structure, or farm, with no portions of the property classified in any non-residential tax class (e.g. commercial, multi-residential, industrial, large industrial or pipeline) and be the official primary residence of the applicant. The property must be the primary residence of all owners who are directly responsible for paying the property taxes. The account must not have been approved for any other form of tax relief from the Town for 2020 taxes. Applications must be accompanied by documentation or proof to demonstrate severe financial hardship or as otherwise deemed acceptable proof in the sole discretion of the Treasurer. All property taxes have been paid in full (i.e. no amounts outstanding) up to and including the February 2020 Interim Installment, (i.e. date prior to the COVID-19 related closures). Property owners must apply for the relief by February 19, 2021 for the 10-month plan. All applications must be made on the Municipality’s form and must include documentation that reasonably and sufficiently establishes eligibility under the relief program. Applications will automatically be denied if false, inaccurate or insufficient information is provided. Eligibility for inclusion in the program will be determined at the time the application is first approved and changes in financial circumstances before March 15th, 2021 will not affect eligibility.

Eligibility criteria for commercial and industrial properties

The property owner must have experienced financial hardship directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. All property taxes have been paid in full (i.e. no amounts outstanding) up to Feb. 28, 2020. The property must be a taxable property in the following tax classes; occupied commercial, shopping centre, parking lot, industrial, large industrial or office property. Applications must be accompanied by documentation to demonstrate financial hardship in one or more of the following categories; excessive business revenue loss or temporary business closure, or another category of financial hardship related directly to the COVID – 19 pandemic as determined at the sole discretion of the Treasurer. Property owners must apply for the program by February 19,2021 for the 10-month plan. Property owners who received compensation from Business Interruption Insurance towards the payment of property taxes do not qualify. All applications must be made on the Municipality’s form and must include documentation that reasonably and sufficiently establishes eligibility under the relief program. Applications will automatically be denied if false, inaccurate or insufficient information is provided. Eligibility for inclusion in the program will be determined at the time the application is first approved. The Treasurer’s determinations with respect to eligibility shall be final.

Application for Special Pre-authorized Property Taxes COVID-19 Payment Plan

APPLICATION FORM If you are eligible, please complete the application form and submit it along with your void cheque and proof of financial hardship to taxes@pelham.ca. Applications must be received by February 19th, 2021 for the 10-month payment period.