Vacant Unit Tax – Late Appeal Request

Property owners who miss the standard deadlines to submit an appeal have the opportunity to request a late appeal. Late appeal requests are subject to an administrative fee of $500 per year being appealed. The fee covers the administrative and labour costs associated with processing the late appeal. This fee is charged regardless of the outcome of the appeal.

Deadlines to request a late appeal

Properties charged the VUT as a result of an audit: within 450 days of determination.

Extenuating circumstances

Under Section 11 of the Vacant Unit Tax by-law (2022-135), the late appeal processing fee and/or deadlines may be waived if you meet one of the following criteria:

• Extreme sickness resulting in hospitalization;
• Natural or man-made disasters disrupting services; or
• An error by the City.

If you wish to claim extenuating circumstances, you must contact Revenue Services by e-mail or by phone at 613-580-2444, option 3. Supporting documentation must be provided.

The property owner must submit the request for the late appeal. The following information will be required:

• Your property roll number. This can be found on your latest property tax bill or on your My ServiceOttawa property tax account
• Full name and contact details of the person filing the appeal

Online

Vacant Unit Tax late appeal request | City of Ottawa

Phone

613-580-2444, Option 3

TTY

Call 613-580-2401 and ask the operator to be connected with the City of Ottawa

Canada Video Relay Service

Canada VRS is a service that allows Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired to make phone calls using internet and cellphone-based technologies. Callers using VRS are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. This allows callers to express themselves in their first language, American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).

Tell your Canada VRS interpreter to call 613-580-2444 and select Option 3

In-person

Book an in-person appointment at Mary Pitt Center (100 Constellation Drive)

Staff will review your request to file a late appeal. You will receive an email with further instructions on submitting your appeal and supporting documentation. Once all required information and evidence is received, the City will provide a response in writing within 90 days from the receipt of your appeal request.

The administrative fee of $500 will be added to your tax roll and a notice of the charge will be sent to the mailing address on file. For payment options please visit: Pay your property taxes online, in-person or by mail | City of Ottawa. Please note, if you are enrolled in a pre-authorized debit plan, the fee must be paid separately. If the fee is not paid, you will be removed from the pre-authorized plan.

Please note the $500 late appeal processing fee applies to all requests, regardless of the outcome.