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1. How does the Monthly Payment Plan work?

The Monthly Payment Plan is continuous and runs from January to December. Each year property taxes are billed in May and due on or before June 30th. Participating in the Monthly Payment Plan means you don’t need to worry about the June due date or late payment penalties. The first five monthly withdrawals are based on the previous year’s tax levy. Your automatic monthly withdrawals are adjusted in June to compensate for the new levy. Your adjusted monthly withdrawal will be 1/7th of the outstanding balance on your tax notice and will commence with your June withdrawal. This adjustment will ensure that your tax account is at a zero balance on December 31 each calendar year.

2. How do I join the MPP?

To participate in the MPP your property taxes must be up to date. You are required to agree to the terms and conditions of the plan. Complete and return your application form, along with a void cheque and any applicable initial payment with your application.

3. When can I join? Is there a charge to join?

You may join at any time during the year. However, if you join after January1 you will need to make an initial payment equal to the missed installments from January 1. Failure to submit any required initial payment at the time you apply will result in your application being rejected.

4. What if I own more than 1 property?

If you own more than 1 property you must complete an application for each location you want on the plan. We require only 1 void cheque if all payments are to be withdrawn from the same bank account.

5. What if I'm already on MPP and moving?

When you join the MPP, you are paying taxes through the plan for a specified property. The MPP does not follow you to your next property. You will need to request the MPP be cancelled on your previous property and submit an application for your new property.

6. What if I'm already on MPP and buying additional property?

When you join MPP, you are paying taxes through the plan for a specified property. MPP does not automatically start on any additional properties you may purchase. If you own more than 1 property you must complete an application for each location you want on the plan.

7. Do I have to renew the MPP each year?

The MPP automatically continues from year to year. In November, all properties on the MPP will be sent a statement and you are responsible for ensuring a zero balance on or before December 31.

8. What if I need to change my banking information?

To make changes to the MPP, written notification is required 2 weeks before your next payment. You can mail, fax or email your request.

9. What if I want to terminate my participation in the MPP?

To make changes to the MPP, written notification is required 2 weeks before your next payment. You can mail, fax or email your request. If you terminate your MPP participation, all unpaid taxes are due and subject to penalties in accordance with the Penalty Bylaw 800-3. Penalty Bylaw 800-3 (PDF)

10. What if my payment is returned NSF or my banking information I submitted was incorrect?

If a payment is returned the Town of Hinton will not attempt to take the payment a second time and you will be subject to a service charge of $15. You are required to make an alternate payment for any returns before the next scheduled withdrawal. Otherwise the monthly payment will be inactivated immediately.

The Town of Hinton has the option to cancel your plan if there are more than 2 non-sufficient fund (NSF) returns in a calendar year, utility arrears are transferred to your tax account due to non-payment, or if there is an outstanding balance on your tax account on December 31. In default of payment or termination from the plan the full amount of outstanding taxes becomes due and payable and subsequently will become subject to terms and penalties within Bylaw Number 800-1.

11. What will my Property Assessment and Tax Notice look like?

Your Property Assessment and Tax Notice will show you the credit to-date, the new installment amount for the remainder of the year and the date we will start withdrawing the new installment amount.

12. What if an adjustment is made to my taxes?

Adjustments to your taxes can be made during the year due to a decrease or increase in your assessed value. Current year tax decrease your monthly installment continues until your account is paid in full, which may be before December 1. Your payments resume January 1. Current year tax increase your monthly installment will be adjusted automatically and you will be notified.

13. What if I receive Supplementary taxes and participate in the MPP?

A supplementary tax bill is issued when a new building or an addition to an existing building is completed during the calendar year. If you are a current MPP participant, your installment is recalculated when the supplementary tax is billed. The revised payment and the start date of that new payment is shown on your supplementary tax bill.