2026 Budget
On Dec. 2, 2025, at a Special Meeting of Council, Burlington City Council concluded the City’s 2026 Budget process with a focus on investments in the services and infrastructure that support a vibrant, high quality of life.
The completed City of Burlington 2026 Budget includes a 5.81% increase in the City’s budget.
With Halton Region’s approved budget, Burlington’s completed budget results in an overall property tax increase for residents of 4.50%. This percentage includes services delivered by the City of Burlington, Halton Region (including Police Services), and the Boards of Education and represents the impact residents will see on their property tax bill. The 4.50% increase is an additional $43.71 in property taxes for every $100,000 of residential current value assessment.
The 2026 budget focuses on four principles: Affordability, Livability, Sustainability and Transparency.
Once the budget is approved, the tax department sends out tax bills to collect the funds we need to deliver services to you.
2026 Property tax split
The property tax bill is made up of three portions:
- The City of Burlington services are 52 per cent
- Halton Region services are 33 per cent and
- The Boards of Education are 15 per cent
2026 Total tax increase: 4.5 per cent
The City's portion of the total tax increase is 2.98 per cent. When combined with the increase for the Region of Halton and the Boards of Education, the overall 2026 total tax increase is 4.5 per cent. This means for every $100,000 that MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) values a home, there is an increase of $43.71.
| 2025 Taxes | 2026 Taxes | $ Tax Increase | % Tax Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| $971.58 | $1,015.29 | $43.71 | 4.50% |
*per $100,000 of urban residential assessment. Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Total 2026 tax increase breakdown of splits |
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*per $100,000 of urban residential assessment. Numbers may not add due to rounding. |
Property tax bill and payment frequency
The City sends out two bills outlining four payments for the year.
Interim bill
The interim bill is sent at the beginning of the year and includes two payment stubs:
- February payment due date
- April payment due date
This bill is based on last year’s levy and does not include the budget or assessment changes.
Final bill
The final tax bill is sent in the spring and includes two payment stubs:
- June payment due date
- September payment due date
The final bill reflects budget changes and applicable property assessment changes.
How your taxes are used
We recognize the importance of taxpayers understanding the City services they receive in return for their property tax dollars. Your total property tax bill with the City of Burlington contributes to more than just the cost of these City services. We also collect taxes on behalf of Halton Region and the Province of Ontario's education system.
Property tax bill frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What makes up the 4.5 per cent? |
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Burlington property taxes have three payees. These are the percentage increases from 2025 to 2026 for each budget:
When these are blended, the increase is 4.50 per cent or $43.71 per $100,000. |
Why does my final tax bill seem higher? |
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If you look at the City of Burlington increase on the current/final bill, it may look like an even bigger increase if it’s compared to the previous/interim bill. Comparing the 2026 Interim property tax bill that went out at the beginning of the year to the 2026 Final property tax bill that is mailed in May does not show the true picture. To get a true number, compare your 2025 Final property tax bill to your 2026 Final property tax bill. The interim bill is only half of last year’s property taxes. It does not include:
For more information on budgets and taxes, please visit our Budget and Finances page and our Property Taxes page, watch for 2026 budget information coming soon. |
How is my tax bill calculated? |
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Your tax bill is determined by multiplying your assessment by the tax rates determined by the City, Halton Region and the Province of Ontario (education). |