Halifax property tax
Answer
The 2026 residential property tax rate in Halifax is $1.135 per $100 (1.1350% of assessed value), up 1.8% from 2025. On a home assessed at $500,000 that is about $5,675 a year.
- Total residential rate, 2026
- 1.1350%
- $1.135 per $100
- Change from 2025
- +1.8%
- Change in the total rate
- Rank in Nova Scotia
- 2 of 2
- Highest total rate = 1, among cities we cover
- Tax on $500,000
- $5,675
- Example value, before credits
Halifax property tax calculator
Estimate, 2026 residential rates
Where your Halifax property tax goes
2026 residential rate by component
| Component | Type | Rate (per $100) | % of value | Share of total | On $500,000 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban general rate | Municipal | 0.687 | 0.6870% | 60.5% | $3,435 | 1, 2 |
| Local transit rate | Transit | 0.095 | 0.0950% | 8.4% | $475 | 1, 2 |
| Climate action rate (Strategic Infrastructure & Climate Fund) | Municipal | 0.016 | 0.0160% | 1.4% | $80 | 1, 2 |
| Supplementary education rate (HRCE/CSAP) | School | 0.015 | 0.0150% | 1.3% | $75 | 1, 2 |
| Mandatory Provincial Education Tax Contribution | Education | 0.29 | 0.2900% | 25.6% | $1,450 | 1, 2 |
| Property valuation tax (PVSC cost share) | Provincial | 0.01 | 0.0100% | 0.9% | $50 | 1, 2 |
| Fire protection (hydrants) | Other levies | 0.014 | 0.0140% | 1.2% | $70 | 1, 2 |
| Right-of-way (stormwater ROW) rate | Other levies | 0.008 | 0.0080% | 0.7% | $40 | 1, 2 |
| Total | 1.135 | 1.1350% | 100% | $5,675 |
Fiscal 2026/27, approved by Regional Council on March 31, 2026. The budget book groups urban general + local transit + climate as 'Municipal Tax' 0.798 and the other rates as 0.337; the components here add up to 1.135 per $100. Tax is charged on the taxable assessed value (the capped value where the Capped Assessment Program applies). Headline = a property in the urban tax area that is also inside the Local Transit area (within 1 km walking distance of a transit stop), the fire protection (hydrant) area (within 1,200 feet of a hydrant) and the stormwater right-of-way area. This is the combination the city uses for its average residential tax bill. Community area rates, private road charges and similar rates for specific areas are extra. Halifax's tax year is the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31); '2026' here is the fiscal year that starts in April of that year.
Rates differ by area of Halifax. The table shows the main area. Other areas in 2026:
- Suburban tax area: general rate $0.654 per $100 Suburban general rate replaces the urban general rate; other area rates apply only where the property is in the mapped area. In 2026/27 a Rural Active Transportation rate of $0.021 (residential and resource) is also listed; the rates page does not say in this section which properties it applies to.
- Rural tax area: general rate $0.654 per $100 Rural general rate replaces the urban general rate; other area rates apply only where the property is in the mapped area. In 2026/27 a Rural Active Transportation rate of $0.021 (residential and resource) is also listed; the rates page does not say in this section which properties it applies to.
Rates as published for the residential class. Bills can also include fixed charges, local improvement levies and utility fees that are not based on assessed value.
Halifax property tax rate history
2022–2026
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
| Year | Total rate | % of value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $1.154 per $100 | 1.1540% | — |
| 2023 | $1.115 per $100 | 1.1150% | −3.4% |
| 2024 | $1.11 per $100 | 1.1100% | −0.4% |
| 2025 | $1.115 per $100 | 1.1150% | +0.5% |
| 2026 | $1.135 per $100 | 1.1350% | +1.8% |
| Component | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban general rate | 0.626 | 0.649 | 0.659 | 0.661 | 0.687 |
| Climate action rate | 0.023 | — | — | — | — |
| Local transit rate | 0.098 | 0.091 | 0.092 | 0.092 | 0.095 |
| Regional transportation rate | 0.047 | — | — | — | — |
| Supplementary education | 0.019 | — | — | — | — |
| Provincial area rate – Mandatory Education | 0.293 | — | — | — | — |
| Provincial area rate – Property Valuation Services | 0.013 | — | — | — | — |
| Provincial area rate – Corrections Services | 0.013 | — | — | — | — |
| Provincial area rate – Metro Regional Housing Authority | 0.009 | — | — | — | — |
| Fire protection | 0.013 | 0.012 | 0.014 | 0.015 | — |
| Climate action tax | — | 0.02 | 0.019 | — | — |
| Supplementary education rate | — | 0.019 | 0.017 | 0.015 | — |
| Mandatory education | — | 0.282 | 0.289 | 0.294 | — |
| Corrections (provincial) | — | 0.012 | — | — | — |
| Housing (provincial) | — | 0.007 | — | — | — |
| Property valuation services | — | 0.012 | 0.011 | 0.011 | — |
| Stormwater right-of-way | — | 0.011 | 0.009 | 0.01 | — |
| Climate action tax (Strategic Infrastructure & Climate Fund) | — | — | — | 0.017 | — |
| Climate action rate (Strategic Infrastructure & Climate Fund) | — | — | — | — | 0.016 |
| Supplementary education rate (HRCE/CSAP) | — | — | — | — | 0.015 |
| Mandatory Provincial Education Tax Contribution | — | — | — | — | 0.29 |
| Property valuation tax (PVSC cost share) | — | — | — | — | 0.01 |
| Fire protection (hydrants) | — | — | — | — | 0.014 |
| Right-of-way (stormwater ROW) rate | — | — | — | — | 0.008 |
Halifax compared with other Nova Scotia cities
Compare two citiesHalifax's total residential rate of 1.1350% is below the 1.5355% average of the 2 Nova Scotia municipalities we cover. A lower rate does not always mean a lower bill: tax = assessed value × rate, so cities with high home values often have lower rates.
| Municipality | Latest year | Total rate (% of value) | Tax on $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 2026 | 1.1350% | $5,675 |
| Cape Breton Regional Municipality | 2026 | 1.9360% | $9,680 |
Rates are the residential rates in each city's latest confirmed year. All Nova Scotia municipalities · National rankings
When Halifax property tax is due and how to look up your bill
2026 due dates
- April 30, 2026
- October 30, 2026
Two bills a year for the fiscal year April 1 – March 31. The interim bill is sent in March and is due on the last working day of April; it is 50% of the estimated current-year taxes. The final bill is sent in September and is due on the last working day of October; it is the actual current-year rate times the current assessment, minus the interim amount. The 2026 dates listed (April 30 and October 30, 2026) are the last weekdays of those months worked out from this rule. They are not dates the city published.
Late payment: Interest is applied daily to all outstanding taxes at 15 per cent per annum (it was 10% per annum from April 14, 2020 to April 30, 2023).
Look up or pay your bill
Opt in with the customer number and PIN on your tax bill to get the tax bill, overdue notices and other charges by email, and text alerts before preauthorized withdrawals. For account questions call 311.
Halifax official property tax page
Online banking (payee 'HALIFAX REG MUN – ALL PAYMENTS', using the Account ID# on the tax bill); cash, debit or cheque at Customer Contact Centres; by mail (Tax Payments: Halifax Regional Municipality, PO Box 818 CRO, Halifax, NS B3J 2V2); preauthorized payment plans: a tax due date option (debited on the interim and final due dates) or monthly/bi-weekly withdrawals (apply with a void cheque at least 15 business days before the start); credit card only through the third-party service PaySimply, which may charge a fee. Payment arrangements are available for arrears (typically within 24 months).
From Halifax's official property tax pages (sources 8, 10, 11, 12, 13). Check your bill for the exact amounts and dates.
Your assessment in Halifax
How assessment works in Nova ScotiaAssessed by: Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC). Valuation date used for 2026 taxes: January 1, 2025.
Appeal to PVSC: your signed appeal must be received within 31 days of the date on your Property Assessment Notice; for the 2026 assessment the deadline was midnight on February 12, 2026 (notices mailed January 12, 2026). The 2026 value reflects market value as of January 1, 2025 and the property's physical state as of December 1, 2025. Under the Capped Assessment Program (CAP), increases in taxable assessment of eligible homes are limited to the CAP rate, which is based on the Nova Scotia CPI; the 2026 CAP rate is 2.6%.
Rebates, credits and programs in Halifax
All Nova Scotia programsThese programs are run by the city or the province. Eligibility is decided by the organization that runs each one; follow the links for the official rules.
Affordable Access Program – property tax rebate (formerly Property Tax Exemption)
If household income is less than $59,000, the municipality pays part of your property taxes; the rebate varies with income and residential taxes billed. Other conditions are on the city page, e.g. a taxable assessed value cap of $425,000 unless GIS and/or disability income is proven, and the property must be your permanent home. Run by Halifax Regional Municipality.
Affordable Access Program – tax deferral
After the rebate is applied, you can postpone payment of the remaining current-year taxes. Interest is Prime −2% for customers in the program (Prime +2% for those who did not reapply). Local improvement charges can also be deferred or put on a payment plan. Run by Halifax Regional Municipality.
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
For seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement: a rebate of 50% of last year's municipal residential property taxes, up to a maximum of $800. Applications are accepted July 1 to December 31. Run by Government of Nova Scotia.
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
Nova Scotia's Property Tax Rebate for Seniors refunds 50% of the municipal residential property taxes a low-income senior paid for 2025, up to $800. Applicants must receive, or be eligible for, the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowance in 2026.
Other property taxes in Halifax
Deed transfer tax in force 2026
1.5 percent of the purchase price of the property within HRM; deeds must be registered within 10 days of acquiring title.
Halifax property tax FAQ
What is the property tax rate in Halifax?
The total residential property tax rate in Halifax for 2026 is $1.135 per $100, which is 1.1350% of assessed value. It is made up of Urban general rate ($0.687 per $100), Local transit rate ($0.095 per $100), Climate action rate (Strategic Infrastructure & Climate Fund) ($0.016 per $100), Supplementary education rate (HRCE/CSAP) ($0.015 per $100), Mandatory Provincial Education Tax Contribution ($0.29 per $100), Property valuation tax (PVSC cost share) ($0.01 per $100), Fire protection (hydrants) ($0.014 per $100), Right-of-way (stormwater ROW) rate ($0.008 per $100).
How much property tax would I pay on a $500,000 home in Halifax?
At the 2026 residential rate, a property assessed at $500,000 would pay about $5,675 a year before any grants, credits, fixed charges or local improvement levies. Your actual bill uses your own assessed value.
When are Halifax property taxes due?
The interim bill (50% of estimated taxes) is due on the last working day of April and the final bill on the last working day of October.
What is Halifax's 2026/27 residential tax rate?
The urban general rate is $0.687 per $100 of assessment (suburban and rural $0.654). Area rates (local transit $0.095, fire protection $0.014, right-of-way $0.008), climate action $0.016, supplementary education $0.015 and provincial rates ($0.290 mandatory education + $0.010 property valuation) are added where they apply.
What interest does Halifax charge on late property taxes?
15 per cent per annum, applied daily to outstanding taxes.
Who sets my Halifax property assessment and how do I appeal?
PVSC. Your appeal must reach PVSC within 31 days of the date on your Property Assessment Notice (February 12, 2026 for the 2026 assessment).
Is there help for low-income homeowners in Halifax?
Yes. The Affordable Access Program gives a property tax rebate to households with income under $59,000, plus an optional deferral, and Nova Scotia's Property Tax Rebate for Seniors pays up to $800 to GIS recipients.
Sources
Verified by a second check against these sources on October 28, 2026
- Tax Rates – Municipal Tax Rates 2026/27, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- 2026/27 Budget and Business Plan (residential tax table, Discussion and Analysis), Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- 2025/26 Budget and Business Plan (residential tax table), Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2025 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- 2024/25 Budget and Business Plan (residential tax table), Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2024 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Budget and Business Plan 2023/24 (Figure 10 – Residential municipal tax rates), Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2023 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Budget Committee report, April 12, 2022 – Proposed 2022/23 Budget, Schedule 1: Resolution for Approval of Operating & Capital Budget and Tax Rates for Fiscal 2022/23, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2022 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- 2022/23 Budget and Business Plan (Figure 10 – Residential and Commercial Tax Rates), Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2022 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Taxes in Halifax, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Get help paying your property taxes (Affordable Access Program), Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Making a payment, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Preauthorized payment plan, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Common Questions about Property Taxes, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Sign Up to Receive Property Tax Email or Text (SMS) notifications, Halifax Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Assessment cycle, Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC)Tax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Your Property Assessment Notice, Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC)Tax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Capped Assessment Program (CAP), Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC)Tax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Municipal Property Tax Rates (dataset ure8-3w7m), Province of Nova Scotia – Municipal Affairs (data.novascotia.ca)Tax year 2025 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
Every figure on this page comes from the official sources above and was checked twice. Not affiliated with any government, municipality or assessment authority. Spotted an error? Report it.