How to make water or tax payments during COVID-19

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 to both the public and Town Staff, the Town has closed all of its facilities to the walk-in public until further notice. During these closures, Town Staff continue to be available to assist the public, Monday - Friday, 8:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. by phone at 905-892-2607 or by email.

Town of Pelham Council voted Monday, March 23, 2020, to initiate a temporary change to the interest and penalty charged on taxes and water/wastewater accounts. This decision was made as an effort to mitigate impact on residents affected during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The Town is waiving penalty and interest charged on April 1 ,2020 for tax and water/wastewater balances outstanding on March 31, 2020, at which time further assessment will be reviewed and further recommendations made as necessary. Learn more.

Please view the below options for how you can submit payments during the closure of Town Hall.

Special Pre-authorized Property Taxes COVID-19 Payment Plan for 2021

Council has approved the creation of a Special Pre-authorized Property Taxes COVID-19 Payment Plan for 2021 which allows all tax payers whose taxes were paid in full as of Feb. 28, 2020 and who have since experienced severe financial hardship due to the pandemic, to pay their outstanding 2020 and 2021 property taxes penalty and interest free over a 10- month period (starting March 2021).

Applications are due by February 19^th, 2021 for the 10-month payment period. If applications are received after this date, the payment period is reduced by the number of months left in 2021.

The application-based program allows for all property tax payers to pay their outstanding 2020 tax balance (including any penalty and interest charged), in addition to their 2021 taxes, through pre-authorized payments over 10 equal instalments on the 15^th of each month from March 15, 2021 to December 15, 2021. No penalty and interest would be charged for accounts on this pre-authorized plan.

If a payment is returned NSF, the property tax account holder must replace the payment within the first month of default. A $30 NSF fee will be charged for the returned transaction. If the payment is not replaced within one month, the account will be removed from the program and normal penalty and interest will apply as of the date of default.

Program restrictions:

All applications must be made on the Town's form and must include documentation that reasonably and sufficiently establishes eligibility under the pre-authorized payment program.
Applications will automatically be denied if false, inaccurate or insufficient information is provided. Eligibility for inclusion in the program will be determined at the time the application is first approved and changes in financial circumstances before December 1, 2021 will not affect eligibility.
The Treasurer's determinations with respect to eligibility shall be final.

Please read the eligibility requirements for the given property class below before completing the form.

Eligibility criteria for residential and farm taxpayers

The property owner must have experienced financial hardship directly related to the COVD-19 pandemic in the form of a temporary or permanent loss of employment or a decrease in income of greater than 70 percent.
The property must be in the taxable residential property class with a residential structure, or farm, with no portions of the property classified in any non-residential tax class (e.g. commercial, multi-residential, industrial, large industrial or pipeline) and be the official primary residence of the applicant.
The property must be the primary residence of all owners who are directly responsible for paying the property taxes.
The account must not have been approved for any other form of tax relief from the Town for 2020 taxes.
Applications must be accompanied by documentation or proof to demonstrate severe financial hardship or as otherwise deemed acceptable proof in the sole discretion of the Treasurer.
All property taxes have been paid in full (i.e. no amounts outstanding) up to and including the February 2020 Interim Installment, (i.e. date prior to the COVID-19 related closures).
Property owners must apply for the relief by February 19, 2021 for the 10-month plan.
All applications must be made on the Municipality’s form and must include documentation that reasonably and sufficiently establishes eligibility under the relief program.
Applications will automatically be denied if false, inaccurate or insufficient information is provided. Eligibility for inclusion in the program will be determined at the time the application is first approved and changes in financial circumstances before March 15th, 2021 will not affect eligibility.

Eligibility criteria for commercial and industrial properties

The property owner must have experienced financial hardship directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All property taxes have been paid in full (i.e. no amounts outstanding) up to Feb. 28, 2020.
The property must be a taxable property in the following tax classes; occupied commercial, shopping centre, parking lot, industrial, large industrial or office property.
Applications must be accompanied by documentation to demonstrate financial hardship in one or more of the following categories; excessive business revenue loss or temporary business closure, or another category of financial hardship related directly to the COVID - 19 pandemic as determined at the sole discretion of the Treasurer.
Property owners must apply for the program by February 19,2021 for the 10-month plan.
Property owners who received compensation from Business Interruption Insurance towards the payment of property taxes do not qualify.
All applications must be made on the Municipality's form and must include documentation that reasonably and sufficiently establishes eligibility under the relief program.
Applications will automatically be denied if false, inaccurate or insufficient information is provided. Eligibility for inclusion in the program will be determined at the time the application is first approved.
The Treasurer's determinations with respect to eligibility shall be final.

Application for Special Pre-authorized Property Taxes COVID-19 Payment Plan

APPLICATION FORM

If you are eligible, please complete the application form and submit it along with your void cheque and proof of financial hardship to taxes@pelham.ca. Applications must be received by February 19^th, 2021 for the 10-month payment period.

Tax payment information

Payment through any financial institution (online banking or telephone payment)
Pre-authorized automatic withdrawal
Cheque Payment (mail or drop box)
View your property tax/water bill online

All payments of Town accounts must be received by the Town by 4:30pm on the due date. Any payment received after this time is processed the next business day. Late fees will apply. Fees applicable can be found in the 2020 Consolidated Schedule of User Fees and Charges.

Pre-authorized automatic withdrawal

Pre-authorized automatic withdrawal payment plans offer an easy, hassle-free payment option. Payments are always made on-time, avoiding any late payment charges and Town residents do not have to wait in line to make payments.

Apply for pre-authorized automatic withdrawal

Please review the terms and conditions prior to completing the Application Form.

Payment through any financial institution

Payment of Town accounts can be made at any financial institution or by Internet through on-line banking. Please note that all payments must be made within 2 business days of the date due to ensure that the payment is received by the Town before late payment charges accrue.

Cheque payments

Cheques can be mailed or dropped off in the drop box at Town Hall at:

Town of Pelham
20 Pelham Town Square
PO Box 400
Fonthill ON L0S 1E0

Email Victoria Emslie, Taxation Clerk, or contact by phone at 905-892-2607 x338.

For more information about property taxes visit: https://www.pelham.ca/en/living-here/property-taxes.aspx

Water payment information

Payment through any financial institution (online banking or telephone payment)
Pre-authorized payment
Cheque Payment (mail or drop box)

Pre-authorized payment plan terms and conditions

Water Accounts

Notice of water amounts owing are made available to account holders before the due date. On the due date indicated on the water bill, the Town of Pelham will automatically withdraw the amount due from the banking institution indicated on the application form.

Penalties

All rejected payments will be charged a fee of $30.00. This includes NSF payments and stopped payments. The Town may cancel continuation in the plan chosen as a result of this default at its discretion; however two rejected payments within a twelve month period will result in automatic plan cancellation.

How to Enrol

Fill out the Application for Pre-Authorized Payment (orange tab above). Follow the instructions on the application.

How to Withdraw

Provide 30 days written notice to the Town of Pelham Finance Department.

Cheque payments

Cheques can be mailed or dropped off in the drop box at Town Hall at:

Town of Pelham
20 Pelham Town Square
PO Box 400
Fonthill ON L0S 1E0

For more Information

Email Krysten MacLeod, Water Clerk, or contact by phone at 905-892-2607 x334.

For more information about utility billing and rates visit: https://www.pelham.ca/en/living-here/water-billing-and-rates.aspx