Monthly Archives: August 2009

Union boss out to lunch

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Union boss Mike Davidson from CUPE Local 500 says Winnipeg taxpayers should not blame any proposed future property tax increase on city workers’ pension shortfall.

In a letter to the editor in the Sun Monday, Davidson says Winnipeg has required a property tax increase for some time because of what he says are revenue shortfalls.

“The reality is that Winnipeg’s budget needs a modest tax increase to address a longstanding revenue shortfall,” writes Davidson. Continue reading →

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Councillors divided over property-tax freeze

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Mayor Sam Katz’s cabinet remains divided over the possibility of another tax freeze as 2009 operating budget discussions come down to the wire.

While the mayor is pushing for Winnipeg’s 12th straight freeze on property taxes, two members of city council’s executive policy committee are openly musing about the need for a modest tax increase to restore past service cuts, keep pace with inflation or cushion the blow of an even larger tax increase in 2010.

In 2008, Winnipeg used $424 million in property tax revenue to balance a $768-million operating budget. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt wants to increase that kitty by $12.2 million — or about three per cent — to restore budget cuts made over the past 20 years to park maintenance, boulevard mowing, playground maintenance, tree-pruning and forestry. Continue reading →

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Release the HST analyses

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The leaders of Manitoba’s opposition parties are correct to be concerned that a proposal to blend the GST and PST into a single harmonized sales tax could prove to be nothing more than cash grab by a Doer government desperately seeking lucre. But that said, why throw the baby out with the bathwater? Why not see the proposal as an opportunity and formulate a better alternative outcome? Why not, as the Free Press argues, harmonize the taxes and dedicate increased revenues to a fund that would reduce municipal infrastructure deficits and create property tax savings?

One reason Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen and Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard might not be articulating alternatives were underlined by Mr. Gerrard. He noted that Finance Minister Greg Selinger has been looking at the issue for a decade and must by now have an extensive file on HST, and a thorough analysis of the impacts that would result from harmonization. Mr. Selinger should release that analysis so that an informed and reasoned debate can take place. In the absence of the information, it is understandable that critics — and those are lining up more on the left than the right — will leap to irrational conclusions. Continue reading →

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It's not all about curb appeal

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Higher assessment doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay higher property taxes.

On average, the assessed value of residential properties in Winnipeg shot up 78 per cent from the last assessment period, according to the city’s assessment and taxation department.

While the increase officially gives you a clear picture of the wealth you may have already known you were sitting on for the past few years, it may also have implications for your tax bill.

But it doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in your property taxes, says the city’s assessment and taxation department’s director, Nelson Karpa. Continue reading →

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Tax reform report says Commercial Tax burden not fairly shared

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Most of the recommendations that came out of the recent report of the Tax Reform Committee focused on residential issues, but there were a few business-oriented recommendations worth noting.

For example, the committee clearly supported long-time claims by the business sector that it’s unfairly burdened under the current municipal tax system. In its report, the committee stated:

“Commercial properties are taxed at a higher rate using the “commercial multiplier.” The multiplier is historic in nature. While it may be that the overall commercial sector should pay more tax than the residential sector, the current approach needs to be re-thought. At a minimum there should be greater transparency. Some evidence exists to suggest the commercial tax burden isn’t being fairly shared amongst commercial taxpayers.” Continue reading →

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Votes of Confidence

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Recently-released WinnipegREALTORS® March MLS® market results and the Canadian Real Estate association’s national MLS® statistic provide more proof that Winnipeg and Manitoba are doing better than most Canadian jurisdiction during today’s tougher economic times.

WinnipegREALTORS® reported the greater Winnipeg reported the greater Winnipeg market had only a three per cent decline in housing sales and was virtually even with condo activities when compared to the same month last year. First-quarter results showed condo sales were slightly ahead last year’s pace, while home unit sales were only off by seven per cent. The average house price for the first quarter is up five per cent over 2008.

As of Manitoba, the CREA March market release indicates that on a seasonally-adjusted basis, MLS® sales were up from February levels and the keystone province set a new record for the average selling price in March. Continue reading →

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New City Winnipeg Tax Assessment System

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When REALTORS® do a comparable market analysis, or CMA, on a property; they apply their expertise to a rigorous review of sales and listings of similar properties to determine what this property should sell for on the MLS®. If a property goes on the market this month, the CMA provides a sale price based on current market conditions, including other competing listings, prospective buyers for that type of property and the real estate market in general (e.g. consumer confidence, interest rate environment, etc.)

Accepting the final sale is an arm’s- length transaction, meaning it occurred on the open market between a willing buyer and a willing seller. The sale then potentially provides a good reference for others to as certain what their property may be worth when sold on MLS®.

Over the last year, the city’s property assessment department used 200,000 properties in Winnipeg to determine on a given date what each property would sell for on the open market. The new assessment roll for June 2010 property taxes is based on the market value of properties in April 2008. Continue reading →

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Meet an Assessor in a Community Nearby You

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Meet an Assessor in a Community Nearby You :

As well as being available at individual offices  assessors will hold “Open Houses” in many communities across the Province of  Manitoba , Canada as well as throughout  the City of Winnipeg in many communities offering you a most convenient opportunity and opportunities to conveniently and fully discuss your property tax assessment and assessments.

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How Can I Get More Information About Assessments

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How can you get more information about assessments and your particular assessment in question

1) Over the Internet:  you can easily as well as conveniently obtain assessment information via the internet at the link of

http://www.gov.mb.ca/assessment

http://web5.gov.mb.ca/public/default.aspx

At these sites you can find :

- answers to your most frequently asked question (FAQ)
- assessments of all properties in Manitoba except in the City of Winnipeg (City of Winnipeg assessments are available at
www.winnipegassessment.com )

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