Education Property Tax Credit
If you own your home and pay property taxes, you could be eligible to save up to $350 for the 2023 and 2024 tax years with the Manitoba government’s Education Property Tax Credit (EPTC). The credit helps to cover the school taxes you pay and is provided either directly on your municipal property tax statement or through your income tax return. Seniors may be eligible for additional savings.
Homeowners who are eligible, and apply to their municipality will have the basic $350 EPTC applied to their property tax statement by designating their home as their principal residence.
Homeowners who notify their municipality that their home is their principal residence before the printing of the municipal property tax statement for the year will have the credit applied to their property tax statement starting in that year.
Homeowners who notify their municipality after the printing of the municipal property tax statement for the year may claim the credit on their personal income tax return for that year and will receive the credit on their property tax statement in subsequent years.
Homeowners who did not receive the credit on their property tax statement, in any given year, may claim the credit on their personal income tax return for the year.
Once a homeowner has designated their home as their principal residence with their municipality, homeowners do not have to re-apply each year to have the credit applied to their property tax statement.
Senior households are eligible for an additional EPTC of up to $200 minus 0.5 per cent of family net income. This credit is claimed on the Manitoba Income Tax Form MB479 – Manitoba Credits.
Note: For the 2025 tax year, the Education Property Tax Credit will be replaced with a new $1,500 Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit.
Renters:
If you rent your home, you may qualify to receive up to $525 for the 2023 and 2024 tax year under the Renters Tax Credit. Learn more.
Seniors School Tax Rebate:
Manitoba seniors who live in their own homes may be eligible for the Seniors’ School Tax Rebate. Learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions – Education Property Tax Credit
Who is eligible for the EPTC?
All Manitoba homeowners who pay education property taxes may be eligible for the EPTC.
For how much is my household eligible?
A maximum of $350 credit is available to be applied against 2023 and 2024 school taxes.
Example: A household who pays $750 in school tax is eligible for the full $350 EPTC.
How do seniors apply for the additional credit?
Senior households with a combined annual income of $40,000 or less may be eligible for an additional EPTC of up to $200 for the 2023 and 2024 tax years. This provides savings of up to $550 when combined with the basic $350 EPTC. This additional amount can be claimed on your personal income tax return.
For further information, click here to view detailed program rules on the website of the Canada Revenue Agency or call the Manitoba Tax Assistance Office at 204-948-2115, or toll free at 1-800-782-0771, or e-mail TAO@gov.mb.ca
Frequently Asked Questions – New Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit
What changes are being made to school tax rebates and credits on property tax statements for the 2025 tax year?
There are two key changes:
- The School Tax Rebate, which provided a 50% rebate on school taxes for residential and farm properties, and a 10% rebate on school taxes for other properties, is being eliminated for all properties except farm properties. Farm properties will continue to receive the 50% rebate.
- The Education Property Tax Credit (EPTC) is being replaced with the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) and is being increased to a maximum of $1,500. More details are provided in the following questions.
- There is no additional seniors credit as part of the HATC, but the Seniors School Tax Rebate continues to be available.
When will the changes be implemented?
The changes will be in effect beginning in 2025.
Will the HATC apply to principal residences only?
Yes, HATC will apply to principal residences only. It does not apply to any other properties (rental properties, secondary residences/cottages, commercial properties, etc.).
Am I eligible for the HATC as a renter?
No, as a renter, you are not eligible for the HATC. However, you may claim the Renters Tax Credit based on the duration and costs of rent.
How do I receive the HATC on my property tax statement?
Properties currently receiving the EPTC on their property tax statement should automatically be moved over to HATC if there is no ownership change. New home owners will have to designate their principal residence with their municipality in order to have the HATC applied to their property tax statement. Owners should contact their municipality for more information on how to do so.
Note that condominium owners whose properties are individually assessed can receive the HATC on their property tax statement like other homeowners. Owners who live an assessed property that contains more than one dwelling unit (duplex, triplex, etc.) cannot receive the HATC on their property tax statement but can claim the HATC on their tax return.
Will property owners still have the option to claim the HATC when filing their income tax return, instead of taking it as an advance on their tax bill?
Yes. Homeowners that are eligible for the HATC may claim it on the income tax return if it is not received on the property tax statement.
How will the HATC be calculated?
The amount of the HATC is the lesser of $1,500 and the gross school taxes on your principal residence.
What is happening with the Seniors School Tax rebate?
The Seniors School Tax rebate is being maintained at $235 minus 1.0% on family net annual income over $40,000 for principal residences only.
How will the School Tax Rebate on farm properties be calculated?
There are no changes to how the School Tax Rebate on farm properties works. It will continue to be 50 per cent of gross school taxes and will continue to be applied directly on the property tax statement.
Is there still a School Tax Rebate for commercial property?
No, the School Tax Rebate for commercial property is no longer in effect for the 2025 and subsequent tax years.
How will these changes impact monthly property tax payment requirements, such as the City of Winnipeg’s Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP)?
Monthly payment plans are determined by your local municipality based on your annual property tax requirements and how your municipality applies the HATC.
Please reach out to your local municipality for information on your monthly property tax payment plans.
