Budget 2024-27

With Clarington’s 2025 Budget Update, the average household will see an approximate monthly increase of $7.78 (about $93 per year) for an average residential property. This represents a 1.76 per cent increase in the average overall property tax bill.

Your tax bill is divided into three portions to deliver valuable services to residents:

• The Municipality of Clarington’s portion is 33 per cent.
• The Region of Durham’s portion is 50 per cent.
• Education’s portion is 17 per cent.

The Region of Durham has increased its portion of property tax for 2025, resulting in an approximate monthly increase of $20 for an average residential property. This represents a 5.8 per cent increase in the average overall property tax bill. Learn more at durham.ca/budget.

Compared to other nearby municipalities, Clarington has provided, and continues to provide, similar services at a significantly lower cost to the taxpayers. Clarington now, and historically, has had amongst the lowest property taxes in Durham Region.

How does my MPAC assessment impact my taxes?

Your MPAC assessment is just one of the factors used to calculate your property taxes. An increase or decrease in your property assessment doesn't necessarily mean your property tax will change in the same way.

Property taxes are based on the budget needed to provide services and programs to Clarington residents. Market reassessment values don't create new revenue for the Municipality. Reassessment is considered revenue-neutral; as assessment values go up, tax rates are adjusted to ensure the Municipality only collects the amount of money it needs. This results in a shift in the share of the tax levy, as not all property values increase or decrease by the same percentage.

The Province is currently reviewing property tax legislation and has indicated that reassessment continues to be deferred. Therefore, assessments will stay the same until at least the 2026 tax year.

Clarington has four departments: Public Services, Legislative Services, Planning and Infrastructure Services, and Finance and Technology Services; the departments are overseen by the Chief Administrative Office. Each department prepares a budget for its area of responsibility, based on the past year's spending and forecasting costs for the coming year(s). They work to ensure that residents will enjoy either the same level of service, and in some cases, see enhanced services.

The four-year budget was prepared concurrently with the 2024-27 Clarington Strategic Plan, which outlines the Municipality of Clarington’s priorities for the next four years. The Budget supports how we implement key action items identified in the Strategic Plan.

The operating budget outlines Clarington's spending plan for the day-to-day cost of the Municipality's programs and services, including fire services, programs, facilities, parks, arenas, road maintenance, staffing, utilities, libraries and much more. It is the equivalent of a household budget for groceries, gas, electricity, and insurance premiums.

In Ontario, municipalities are required by the Municipal Act, 2001 to plan balanced operating budgets—meaning expenses must equal revenues every year and cannot borrow money to fund operating expenses.

The capital budget outlines significant expenditures on the acquisition and replacement of physical assets such as buildings, road repairs, bridges, and vehicles. The operating costs for these assets are included in the operating budget.

In Ontario, municipalities can borrow some funds and run a deficit, within limits, to fund capital projects. For a household, the equivalent would be buying a new car or computer, or building an addition on the house.

Under the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, the Mayor has a duty to propose the Municipality’s budget and present it to Council before February 1. The proposed budget is subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process; each step is subject to a limited number of calendar days. After that has passed, the proposed budget is deemed to have been adopted by Council.

A municipality can choose to prepare a budget covering one to five years. Clarington has prepared a four-year budget. To remain flexible and to adapt with changing needs, the budget will be reevaluated annually by Council.

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is responsible for assessing and classifying more than five million properties in Ontario. Every year, MPAC provides municipalities with an assessment roll to be used for taxation purposes. If you have questions about your assessment, call MPAC at 1-866-296-6722 or visit the MPAC website. For property-specific inquiries, visit the About My Property section to view information on your property, access your property assessment notice, and compare your property to others. If you disagree with your assessment, you can file a Request for Reconsideration (deadlines applicable).