Commercial Tax Reform

Commercial Tax Reform

Property values are driven by the real-estate market which continues to go up in Halifax. Business owners, particularly small and medium-sized business owners, are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in the urban core. That being said, businesses that operate downtown recognize that they are going to pay more to be in the core of the city. But what they find difficult to accept is the fact that the high taxes they pay are used to subsidize suburban retail business centers like Bayers Lake and Dartmouth Crossing.

In 2018, the Municipality was granted new commercial taxation powers to help ease the burden of commercial tax in Halifax, particularly in the downtown core. Over the last several years, the Spring Garden Area Business Association has actively engaged HRM over taxation. While it is not the outcome we wanted, a compromise was reached amongst the Business Improvement Districts which has resulted in a lower tax for businesses in the Spring Garden Area. This will be an ongoing discussion every year when the city prepares their budget.

• Commercial Tax Study: Spring Garden Area

• Commercial Tax Study: Halifax area BIDs and Business Parks