Exemptions
Municipal Property Tax Exemptions
Do you qualify for a property tax exemption? You may if ALL of the following applies to you:
The total income from all assessed owners, including spouses and common law spouses, residing at the property, and total income from those persons who hold an interest in the property and contribute to the household income together is less than $27,203.00 in the 2020 calendar year. Exemptions are only for residential property tax on the principal residence. Although all owners do not have to live in the residence, it must be a principal dwelling of one of the owners. The application is an affidavit and must be completed at the Municipal Office. Proof of income is required. Please bring your Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada with you.
To view the form and Policy, please open the P-25 Tax Exemption Policy or call the Revenue Administrator at 902-275-3554.
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
This program, administered by Service Nova Scotia on behalf of the Department of Community Services, is designed to help eligible seniors remain in their homes by providing them with an annual rebate on their municipal property taxes.
The program provides eligible homeowners with a 50% rebate of the actual municipal property taxes paid the previous year, up to a maximum of $800.00 per year. The rebate is always based on the property taxes paid in the previous year.
Who qualifies?
You are eligible to receive the rebate if you meet ALL of the following criteria:
- You were receiving either the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or The Allowance in January 2021. To find out if you qualify for the GIS or the Allowance, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914.
- You are living in your own home at the time you apply for the rebate and continue to reside in your home and;
- Your previous year’s property taxes were paid in full
- New applicants (or for more information) please call toll free 1-800-670-4357 or 902-424-5200
Residential Property Tax Exemption Program for Home Destroyed by Fire
The purpose of the program is to adjust property taxes for homeowners whose principal residence has been destroyed or partially destroyed by fire, until such time as the next annual assessment is done and takes effect.
Who is eligible?
The program is for the Municipality of Chester homeowners who have a major fire in their home (principal place of residence). Properties that may be eligible, include owner-occupied homes, such as:
- A single-family home
- The portion of multi-family home occupied by the homeowner(s)
- A mobile home, if the homeowner owns the land on which the home is located.
How do people apply?
Homeowners who have had a fire in their home should contact the Municipality of Chester’s Revenue Administrator at 902-275-3554 or email [email protected] .
How long will it take to process my application?
Applications will take 2 to 8 weeks to process, depending on whether a re-assessment has already taken place. The timing of the fire will also affect the timing of the final calculations. All rebates are calculated based on the final (September) tax bill.