Frequently asked questions
- What is Canada Tax Appeal?
A private company that checks whether your property is assessed higher than similar homes nearby, tells you the truth either way, and, if the numbers support it, asks the assessor to review it and handles the complaint or appeal.
- Are you part of the government or the assessment office?
No. Canada Tax Appeal is a private company. We are not a government body or an assessment authority and are not affiliated with any municipality, MPAC or BC Assessment.
- Is the check really free?
Yes. The check is free and you don't need to create an account to see your result. You pay only if you decide to go ahead with a review.
- How does the check decide whether I have a case?
We compare your assessed value per square foot with the median of similar homes in your community, and we look for errors in the facts on file. The methodology page lists exactly which homes count as similar.
- What does "fairly assessed" mean?
That we don't think a review is worth it for you, because your value is in line with similar homes, because the saving wouldn't cover the cost, or because a review could raise your assessment. Your result says which.
- What happens if I'm fairly assessed?
Nothing, unless you want it to. We'll offer to remind you next January and let you share a check with a neighbour. We won't try to sell you anything.
- How much does it cost?
A $79 upfront review-and-filing fee, charged when you sign (after any cooling-off period), plus a share of the saving. In Alberta and BC, 25% of the first-year tax saving, charged once, only if your assessment goes down. In Ontario, 30% of the tax saving for 2.5 savings-years, collected in instalments once per tax year when your bill shows the saving, only if your assessment goes down.
- What if my assessment doesn't go down?
If your assessment doesn't go down, there is no share-of-savings fee. You'll have paid the upfront fee only.
- Is sales tax extra?
Yes. Fees are plus GST/HST or QST where they apply.
- Why does the Ontario fee cover more than one year?
Because in Ontario a reduction usually lasts for the rest of the assessment cycle, so you save in several years. We collect one instalment per tax year, around your final tax bill, so you pay when the saving is visible. Instalments stop if you sell the home or if the province announces a reassessment.
- Can I cancel?
Yes. If you cancel within the cooling-off period stated in your engagement letter, the upfront fee is refunded in full to the way you paid.
- Can I do this myself?
Yes. You don't need us: you can contact your assessor or file a complaint yourself. Our guides explain how in each province.
- What is the deadline in Alberta?
60 days after the notice of assessment date printed on your notice, moved to the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Late complaints are not valid.
- What is the deadline in BC?
A complaint to the Property Assessment Review Panel must be filed no later than January 31, or the next business day if January 31 is a weekend or holiday. There is no late filing. For the 2027 season we stop accepting new BC files on January 24, so that every complaint is filed before the deadline.
- What is the deadline in Ontario?
For a supplementary or omitted assessment, a Request for Reconsideration is due 120 days after the issuance date on the notice. For an annual notice, it is due March 31 of the tax year. Both move to the next business day if they fall on a weekend or holiday.
- Do you offer the service in Quebec?
Not yet. We'll only launch in Quebec once we've verified the rules and completed a privacy review. You can ask to be told when we do.
- Could appealing make my assessment go up?
It's possible in some situations. If a review could plausibly raise your assessment, we tell you and don't recommend filing.
- Why do you ask the assessor to review first?
Because most questions can be settled by conversation, which is faster and easier for everyone. We file a formal complaint only to protect your rights if the review isn't resolved 7 business days before the deadline.
- Will I have to go to a hearing?
Usually not. Most files are settled at the review stage. If your file goes to a hearing, a person represents you. Software never appears in front of a board.
- Who represents me at the Ontario Assessment Review Board?
In Ontario, Assessment Review Board appeals are handled by a lawyer or paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.
- Where does my saving show up?
As a lower tax bill, a credit on your tax account or a refund, depending on your province and timing. Any refund or credit from the municipality goes to you, the owner, not to us. Your statement shows where and when.
- How do you collect your share of the saving?
By pre-authorized debit after the decision, with your card as a backup. Before we debit a share-of-savings fee, we send you the decision and the amount in advance.
- Where is my data stored?
We store your data in Canada, in a Toronto data centre, and keep our encrypted backups in Canada.
- Do you use AI?
Our recommendations are produced with automated tools. You can ask a person to review any recommendation, and we'll explain the main factors behind it. Every number you see is calculated, not generated.
- Can I check my neighbour's home?
You can see the same public facts anyone can: a home's assessed value, its value per square foot and the median for similar homes. We never tell you whether a neighbour has a case. When you share a check with a neighbour, you send the link yourself. We never email or text them, and the link shows public facts only.
- Why do you want a photo of my notice?
Your notice has the exact dates, the property details the assessor used and sometimes a deadline printed on it. We use it to confirm the facts before recommending that anything is filed.
- Do you need my MPAC access key?
We'd rather not hold it. We first use MPAC's process for authorizing a representative, or your notice. We use your login only if neither works, and we delete it after a short, fixed period.
- Do you work with rental and commercial properties?
Yes. For multi-location owners we start with a free report. A free Portfolio Equity Report on up to 20 locations, with a pursue / don't-pursue view for each.
- Will you remind me next year?
If you ask us to, we'll remind you next January when new assessments come out. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- My realtor sent me your link. Do they get paid?
Some partners receive a referral fee. If a partner receives a referral fee from us, they must tell you before referring you. The price you pay is the same either way.
Can't find your question? Call [PHONE — TO BE ASSIGNED] and a person will help, or see the glossary for the terms on your notice.
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