How do I confirm property taxes are paid?
Want to know right now if your Georgetown property taxes are paid — and stop your sale from getting held up?
Why confirming property taxes matters for Georgetown home sellers
If you’re selling a house in Georgetown, ON, unpaid property taxes can kill a closing or cost you money at the last minute. Buyers’ lawyers will expect a clear tax status. Municipalities can place liens, and closing adjustments or holdbacks may occur if taxes aren’t cleared. So don’t guess. Verify.
This short guide gives a step-by-step checklist you can use today. It’s direct, practical, and tailored for Georgetown — Town of Halton Hills — sellers. Follow it to remove a common legal roadblock from your sale.
Quick checklist — confirm property taxes are paid
- Gather property details: municipal address, roll number, PIN or legal description.
- Check Town of Halton Hills online tax lookup or contact the Tax Office.
- Request an official tax certificate (municipal tax statement) for closing.
- Ask your lawyer to perform a municipal tax search and holdback review.
- If taxes are unpaid, pay before closing or arrange payment through your lawyer’s trust account.
Step 1 — Get the essential property info
Lawyers and the municipality will ask for specific identifiers. Have these ready:
- Municipal address (street address)
- Roll number or tax account number (on your tax bill)
- PIN/Property Identification Number
- Legal description (on deed)
If you don’t have the roll number, the Town of Halton Hills Tax Office can look it up with the address.
Step 2 — Check the Town of Halton Hills property tax portal
Town of Halton Hills maintains property tax records. Use their website to see your account balance, payment history, and instalments. This is the fastest first check.
If the online portal shows a zero balance to-date, you’re likely clear for the current billing period. Still get the official tax certificate — online info is informative but not always accepted at closing.
Tip: Keep screenshots or a PDF of the online tax statement as preliminary proof.
Step 3 — Order a municipal tax certificate (the document lawyers rely on)
An official tax certificate is the document your buyer’s lawyer will want. It confirms taxes paid to a specific date. In Ontario, municipalities issue this on request for a fee.
How to get it:
- Contact the Town of Halton Hills Tax Office in writing or via their online portal.
- Provide property identifiers and the date you need confirmation to.
- Pay any certificate fee.
Turnaround varies. In most cases you can get one quickly if you request it early in the sale process. Your lawyer can also order it on your behalf.
Step 4 — Have your lawyer run a municipal tax search and title review
Your real estate lawyer will do two important tasks:
- Municipal tax search: Verifies taxes, penalties, and local charges. It confirms whether the municipal tax roll shows any arrears or unpaid charges affecting the property.
- Title and charge review: Checks for tax registrations or liens that could survive closing.
Ask your lawyer to confirm the municipality provided a current tax certificate and to explain any outstanding amounts before closing.
Step 5 — Pay outstanding taxes — how to act fast in Georgetown
If the Town of Halton Hills shows unpaid taxes, pay them immediately. Options:
- Online municipal payment (bank or municipality portal)
- In-person at municipal offices
- Through your lawyer’s trust account at closing (confirm with your lawyer first)
If you can’t clear the full amount before closing, your buyer’s lawyer may request a holdback — funds held in trust until taxes are cleared. That slows the deal and can reduce your proceeds.
Local nuance: Halton Region and MPAC
A note on roles: MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) sets assessed values for property tax calculations; it doesn’t collect taxes or show payment history. For payment confirmation, always use Town of Halton Hills tax records.
If property assessment errors affect tax amounts, talk to your realtor and lawyer. But payment confirmation still comes from the Town’s tax office.
Common problems Georgetown sellers face — and how to avoid them
- Missing roll number or bills: Get them early. Your listing package should include the current tax bill.
- Last-minute unpaid instalments: Pay instalments before accepting an offer or arrange payment through your lawyer.
- Unrecorded local charges (utilities, water): These appear on municipal searches. Clear them before closing.
- Slow municipal certificate processing: Request the tax certificate as soon as offers are firm.
Avoid surprises by making tax-checks part of your pre-closing checklist.
What the buyer’s lawyer will expect
- A current municipal tax certificate showing taxes paid to date
- Confirmation of any special local charges or penalties
- Clear instructions on how outstanding amounts will be handled at closing
If you don’t provide this, the buyer’s lawyer will demand a holdback or delay completion.
Fast script to use with the Town of Halton Hills Tax Office
“Hello — I’m selling my property at [address]. Can you confirm the roll number and issue a municipal tax certificate showing taxes paid to [closing date]? Please advise fees and expected turnaround. My contact: [name, phone, email].”
Bring your roll number, PIN, and ID when you visit in person.
How I help sellers in Georgetown — what I do differently
I coordinate tax confirmation early. I make sure your lawyer, the buyer’s lawyer, and the Town’s tax office are aligned so taxes don’t become a last-minute problem. I also:
- Verify roll numbers and municipal accounts during listing
- Recommend ordering the tax certificate early
- Help schedule payments and confirm receipts
- Liaise with your lawyer to remove any tax-related holdbacks
If you want help navigating this, contact me directly — I handle the details so your closing is clean and fast.
Contact: Tony Sousa — tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
Action plan — what to do this week
- Pull your latest tax bill and find your roll number.
- Check Town of Halton Hills online tax portal and screenshot the result.
- Request a municipal tax certificate or ask your lawyer to order it.
- Pay any outstanding amounts, or instruct your lawyer on payment at closing.
- Confirm receipt of the tax certificate and give a copy to your buyer’s lawyer.
Do this now. It’s simple and prevents delays that cost money.
FAQ — Quick answers for Georgetown, ON home sellers
Q: Who issues the official proof that property taxes are paid?
A: The Town of Halton Hills issues the municipal tax certificate. Your lawyer will typically request it for closing.
Q: Can I use an online screenshot as proof?
A: No. A screenshot is useful as preliminary proof, but buyer’s lawyers will request the official tax certificate from the municipality.
Q: How long does a tax certificate take in Georgetown?
A: Timing varies. If you request it early, many sellers get it within a few business days. Expect longer during peak times — order early.
Q: What happens if taxes are unpaid at closing?
A: The buyer’s lawyer may require a holdback, delay funds, or require you to pay through your lawyer’s trust account. This reduces your net proceeds and risks delaying completion.
Q: Will MPAC show whether taxes are paid?
A: No. MPAC provides assessed value. For payment status, use Town of Halton Hills tax records or the municipal tax certificate.
Q: Are there fees for the tax certificate?
A: Yes. Municipalities charge a fee for a tax certificate. Check Town of Halton Hills’ current fee schedule or ask your lawyer to order it.
Q: Should I clear taxes before listing?
A: It’s best to ensure current taxes are paid before listing. That minimizes risk and strengthens your closing position.
Q: How can my realtor help?
A: A competent local realtor will verify roll numbers, recommend ordering the tax certificate early, coordinate with lawyers, and ensure payments and receipts are tracked.
If you want a fast review of your tax status and simple help to remove legal obstacles to closing, reach out. I handle the paperwork so you can focus on moving.
Contact: Tony Sousa — tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
