RESIDENTIAL VACANT UNIT TAX (VUT)
Beginning January 1, 2023, all residential homeowners in Ottawa will be required to declare the occupancy status of their properties on an annual basis. The tax will not apply to the following properties:
Principal Residence
Tenanted Properties
Properties occupied by a family member or friend using it as their principal residence; or
Properties that qualify for one of the available exemptions.
The declarations are due by your property's interim tax due date (typically mid-March). However, late declarations will be accepted until April 30; late penalties and interest may apply.
A residential property will be considered vacant if it is not your principal residence and has been unoccupied for more than 184 days in the calendar year. The Vacant Unit Tax will be calculated as 1% of the property's current assessed value.
Additional information and exemptions from the tax may be found at the following:
*The contents of this article are intended to provide general, broad guidance only. This article should not be relied upon to cover specific situations, and you should not act upon the information contained herein without obtaining relevant professional advice. Please feel free to contact our office to discuss the information presented herein in the context of your specific circumstances. Lekadir LLP, its principals, employees, and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information in this article or for any decision based on it.
