TORONTO, July 8, 2026 – The 2026 final residential property tax bills for the cities of Markham and Richmond Hill have entered the payment period. Markham’s final residential property taxes are due in two instalments, on July 6 and August 5. Richmond Hill’s final property taxes are due in two instalments, on August 4 and October 1. Since the two cities have different due dates, newcomer homeowners, rental property owners and first-time buyers should check the bill for the city where their property is located, rather than relying on dates from a neighbouring municipality.
City of Markham information shows that the first instalment of the 2026 final residential property tax bill was due on July 6, while the second instalment is due on August 5. If payment is late, the city charges a 1 per cent penalty on the unpaid amount, followed by 1.25 per cent interest each month on the outstanding balance. For homeowners paying through online banking, mailed cheques or cheque drop-off at municipal facilities, whether the payment reaches the city before the deadline is more important than the date the payment was initiated.
The City of Richmond Hill says final residential property tax bills are mailed by the end of June. Residents who have not received their 2026 final tax bill by July 15 should contact the city. Richmond Hill’s final taxes are due in two instalments, on August 4 and October 1. The city says there is no grace period for late payments. Taxes not paid on time are subject to a 1.25 per cent penalty on the first day of default, followed by 1.25 per cent interest each month on unpaid taxes.
For many newcomers buying a home in Ontario for the first time, one common source of confusion is the difference between final property taxes and the interim taxes issued earlier in the year. Interim taxes are usually estimated based on the previous year’s taxes, while the final bill reflects the current year’s budget and final tax rates. After receiving the final bill, residents should not only look at whether the total amount has increased, but should also check the property address, roll number, payments already made, outstanding balance and instalment dates.
Another common issue is mortgage company payment. The City of Richmond Hill explains that if property taxes are paid by a mortgage or trust company, that company will receive the tax bill directly. Homeowners should not stop checking their account completely. They should still confirm whether their mortgage agreement includes property tax payment, whether the bank has withdrawn the amount from their account, and whether the city account shows that payment has been received. During mortgage renewal, refinancing or a home sale closing, changes in payment arrangements may also create misunderstandings about tax responsibility.
Moving or changing a mailing address is another common reason for delayed property tax bills. If residents do not update their mailing address with the city in time, not receiving the bill is generally not a valid reason for late payment. Rental properties, vacant homes and homes where family members collect mail require extra attention, because the mailing address for the bill may not be the same as the property address or the owner’s residence.
For Chinese homeowners in Markham and Richmond Hill, property tax payment is not only an annual billing issue, but also part of household cash-flow planning. Some families are paying a mortgage, insurance, utilities and maintenance costs at the same time. If final tax dates are missed, they may face penalties and interest within a short period. Residents can pay through a city account, online banking, pre-authorized payment or cheque, but different methods have different processing times and should be arranged in advance.
Newcomer families, seniors and residents with limited English who are unsure about the bill should contact their city’s tax department or ask family members to help review it. Key items to confirm include whether the property address is correct, whether there is any previous balance, whether pre-authorized payment is registered, whether the mortgage company is paying the taxes, and the next instalment due date. Homeowners who have already missed Markham’s first instalment should check their account balance as soon as possible to prevent unpaid amounts from continuing to accumulate interest.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
