Commercial Property Tax Services

Prior to the mailing of an assessment roll, Avison Young engages with the assessment authority to resolve issues with your pending assessment. These pre-emptive discussions entail completing a property valuation for tax purposes and initiating negotiations with the assessment authority on your behalf. This can lead to valuable savings prior to the establishment of the assessment roll instead of taking a defensive position and filing a formal complaint later.

Avison Young begins our review process once the assessment notices have been mailed. During the review process Avison’s property tax experts will outline their opinion of a fair and equitable assessment for an individual property or portfolio to determine if there are adequate grounds to continue the complaint process through negotiations with the assessment authority and/or filing a formal complaint.

Avison Young’s support staff carries extensive knowledge of the unique, and multi-step complaint filing requirements held by various municipalities across Canada. We will ensure the correct documents and fees are completed to formally file a complaint on your behalf by the regulated deadlines.

Many assessment appeals are settled prior to the hearing. This time period is used to create a dialogue with the assessment authority and begin the exchange of information, evidence, and determine the best sequence of your complaints to produce the best overall outcome for all your properties. Our experience and connection with the assessment authorities fosters ongoing good faith and relations for future assessment issues.

The formal presentation of evidence before the court tribunals ‘the Board’ requires a unique skill set. Participation in the formal hearings requires the gathering of evidentiary materials and other submissions for the assessment authority; reviewing municipal submissions; negotiations with the assessment authority; initiation of settlement or mediation meetings; and formal representation in the completion of a hearing before the Board. Following the formal hearing we will follow up ensuring the Board or notice of decision are correct and our clients receive the correct remuneration.

Upon receipt of a formal decision from the Board, if you are unhappy with the result, there are appeal options to the Courts. Avison Young has collaborated with many law firms which specialize in property tax matters. We take the time to present you with various counsel options who fit your corporate style and work within your budget. We collaborate with counsel to review the initial decision and report any factual or judgement errors which would merit appeal to the higher Court.

We will work with you to establish short, medium, or long-term property tax budgets based on the unique characteristics of your property for the purpose of your purchasing, holding, disposition or development plans. Property tax review services are available to both owners and tenants for any of their needs.