The City of Ottawa offers a deferral program for water utility bills for low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities. Under the program, payment of water bills is deferred for applicants who meet the current program requirements. The City also offers a property tax deferral program for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.
Before you begin
An initial application for tax deferral may be made at any time during the year for which the tax deferral is sought and shall be made no later than December 31 of that year. An application to renew the tax deferral must be made annually no later than the 30th day of September in the year for which the deferral is sought.
The applicant agrees to provide the necessary information to the municipality in order to demonstrate that eligibility requirements have been met. The applicant also signs a waiver providing the municipality access to personal information for the purpose of confirming eligibility.
Interest
Interest on the deferred amounts will be charged at the rate of 5% per annum.
Repayment
The unpaid water deferral shall become due and payable at the earliest of the following dates:
- the applicant(s) no longer meet the eligibility criteria;
- the property is sold or transferred;
- upon the death of the applicant, unless the applicant is survived by a spouse who continues to qualify for deferral (The water deferral cannot be transferred to the estate of deceased owner(s));
Deferral amounts represent a lien against the property under provisions established under Subsection 319 (4) and Section 349(3) of the Municipal Act 2001 as amended.
Eligibility
- If the property is owned by more than one person who are not spouses, then all owners must apply and qualify. Property occupants may also be required to apply and qualify (certain conditions apply).
- Applicant(s) must have continuously owned the property within the City of Ottawa for at least one year before applying for the deferral.
- The property must be the applicant(s)' principal residence.
- Property must be assessed in the Residential or Farm tax class.
- The applicant(s)’ total gross household income from all sources is $56,556 (2025) or less. The income threshold is adjusted annually based on changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- Must meet one of the following criteria:
- A person 65 years of age or older OR
- A person 60-64 years of age and in receipt of an Allowance under the Old Age Security Act, if widowed, be in receipt of the Spouses Allowance under the Old Age Security OR
- A person 55 years of age or older and receiving either a pension or a pension annuity resulting from a pension plan under the Income Tax Act
- A person living with a disability and receiving disability benefits
What you need
You will require your property tax roll number, Government issued ID confirming proof of age (new applicants ONLY), your Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the previous tax year and specific income statements pertaining to your application type.
Cost
- A non-refundable application fee will be charged to the tax account upon receipt of the application.
- A non-refundable renewal fee for subsequent year applications, will be charged to the tax account.
- Approved applicants are responsible for all legal costs associated with the deferral. Legal costs typically relate to title searches, as staff may conduct an annual title search on the property. All legal costs will be charged to the tax account.
Apply
Online
Water Utility Bill Deferral form(link is external)
In writing
taxdeferralprogram@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)
City of Ottawa, Revenue Services
100 Constellation Drive, 4th floor East
Ottawa, ON
K2G 6J8
Attn: Property Tax Deferral Program
Phone
613-580-2444 Transactions will be recorded for training and verification purposes.
In-person
Please be advised that the Revenue Services Front Counter is appointment-based only, and appointments are available to book on a first come first serve basis. Please have your property tax roll number or water utility customer-account number available upon booking.
Appointments are available at the following times:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30-4:30 pm (September through May)
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4 pm (June through August)
To book, modify or cancel an appointment online, please visit City of Ottawa Revenue Services(link is external).
There is no cost to book an appointment with Revenue Services, however, please be advised that fees may apply depending on the type of service requested. For more information please visit Water Utility Rates & Fees or Paying your taxes. Please also be advised that our office is only accepting cheque payments at this time.
For more information or for assistance using the online booking tool, please contact Revenue Services at 613-580-2444.
What's next
An acknowledgment letter will be mailed to you upon receipt of your application. Once we have reviewed your application for eligibility, a letter of either approval or denial will be mailed to your attention.
Contact
taxdeferralprogram@ottawa.ca(link opens email application)
Phone
613-580-2444 Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (June to August, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). Transactions will be recorded for training and quality assurance.
City of Ottawa, Revenue Services
100 Constellation Drive, 4th floor East,
Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Attn: Water Deferral Program