A new online application has been launched to make it easier for seniors to apply for Manitoba’s new Seniors’ School Tax Rebate. This announcement was made by Finance Minister Jennifer Howard.
“Many seniors have asked for an online application to make it easier to apply for the new Seniors’ School Tax Rebate and today seniors can start applying online,” said Minister Howard. “Seniors can save up to $1,335 this year with our new school tax rebate and existing education property tax credits.”
Seniors can apply online at www.manitoba.ca/seniorsrebate as soon as they receive their property tax statement from their local municipality. The website also features an eligibility calculator to estimate the rebate senior homeowners may qualify for as well as a printable application form for seniors who prefer to apply by mail or fax. Those who have already submitted an application by mail, fax or in-person do not need to resubmit their application using the new online system.
More than 9,000 seniors have already applied for the new rebate using the paper application form since it was launched last month, totaling approximately $2.1 million in rebates, the minister said, adding the Manitoba Tax Assistance Office has also answered more than 12,000 calls, helping seniors with their questions and applications. Seniors can contact the tax assistance office by calling 204-945-7555 in Winnipeg or 1-855-893-8266 (toll-free), or by email at seniorsrebate@gov.mb.ca.
“More and more seniors are online today, using the Internet to connect with friends and family, and to seek out information about how they can save money,” said Healthy Living and Seniors Minister Sharon Blady. “The new Seniors’ School Tax Rebate will help make life more affordable for older Manitobans and I’m pleased that today it’s easier to apply with the new online application.”
Minister Howard noted an estimated 80,000 houses and condominiums are owned by seniors in Manitoba. About 10,000 senior homeowners already have their school taxes fully covered by the Manitoba government’s Education Property Tax Credit (EPTC).
“This year an additional 7,200 senior households will no longer pay school taxes with the new Seniors’ School Tax Rebate. A maximum rebate of $235 is available in 2014, in addition to the $700 in EPTC and up to $400 in the Seniors Education Property Tax Credit top-up,” said Minister Howard. “The rebate will increase in 2015 and will fully cover school taxes for seniors by 2016.”
To qualify for the new tax rebate, a senior must:
- own and live in their home,
- be at least 65 years of age by the end of 2014, and
- have school taxes not already fully covered by the existing Education Property Tax Credit.
Based on concerns raised by several Manitobans, the province will be setting a rebate limit for luxury homes, a move that would affect less than one per cent of senior homeowners starting in 2016, Minister Howard noted.
All Manitoba households, regardless of age and whether they rent or own, can receive the basic Education Property Tax Credit of up to $700. The Manitoba government has nearly tripled the EPTC since taking office, making it the second most generous property tax credit in Canada, Minister Howard said. More information about the EPTC is available at www.manitoba.ca/eptc.
