Vacant Unit Tax Declaration Period Now Open

Vacant Unit Tax Declaration Period Now Open

The declaration period for Year 2 of Hamilton’s Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) program is now open. All residential property owners are required to declare the occupancy status of their properties for the 2025 tax year by Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Declarations can be submitted:

• Online at hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax

• By phone at 905-546-2573

• By email at vacantunittax@hamilton.ca

• By mail to Vacant Unit Tax, 71 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4Y5

• In person at a Municipal Service Centre

Important Portal Update – December 18

The City is aware that residents experienced difficulty accessing the Vacant Unit Tax online declaration portal on December 18. The issue was part of a broader service disruption that affected several online City services.

City staff and IT Services worked quickly to address the issue, and full access to the portal was restored by 4:00 p.m. on December 18. We appreciate residents’ patience and understanding during the disruption.

Staff are reviewing feedback received and will continue working with IT Services to help manage and communicate around any future service disruptions.

Planned Improvements

As part of the City’s upcoming My.Hamilton platform relaunch, planned for early 2026, enhancements to the Vacant Unit Tax online declaration portal are already underway. These improvements are expected to make the declaration process easier for residents, including the potential of allowing users to carry forward the same occupancy status from the previous year.

More information about these potential enhancements will be shared closer to launch as they are brought to us.

About the Vacant Unit Tax

The Vacant Unit Tax is intended to increase the supply of housing in Hamilton by encouraging residential property owners to keep homes occupied rather than vacant. After administrative costs are recovered, revenues generated through the program are reinvested into affordable housing initiatives.

All residential property owners are required to submit an annual declaration, including those whose properties are principal residences or exempt under the by-law.

For full program details, exemptions, instructional videos and FAQs, visit hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax.

Residents with additional questions can contact vacantunittax@hamilton.ca.