October 19, 2026 | Buying
Pickering Property Tax Rates (2026): What You’ll Pay
Updated October 2026 · By Xerxes Bharucha, Broker · Team Rajpal, Re/Max Key2 Real Estate., Brokerage, Seaton, Pickering
Quick answer: The 2026 Pickering property tax rate for homes is 1.337288% of your MPAC assessed value. On the average Pickering home, assessed at $563,000, that’s about $7,529 a year, or $627 a month. Your bill is based on what your home was worth in 2016, not what you paid for it.
What is the property tax rate in Pickering for 2026?
Pickering’s 2026 residential rate is 1.337288%, up from 1.288240% in 2025. That’s about a 3.8% increase on the total bill. Your one bill pays three governments:
| Part of your bill | 2026 rate | Share of your bill |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Region (police, transit, roads, waste, social services) | 0.780760% | 58% |
| City of Pickering (fire, parks, rec centres, local roads, libraries) | 0.403528% | 30% |
| Province of Ontario (education) | 0.153000% | 12% |
| Total residential rate | 1.337288% | 100% |
Source: City of Pickering 2026 Tax Rates (Residential, RT).
Most of your bill goes to Durham Region, not the City. When people say “Pickering raised taxes,” the Region’s budget is usually the bigger driver.
The rate fell from 2018 to 2020, then rose every year since. Because assessed values are frozen at 2016 levels, rate increases are the main reason your bill goes up.
How much property tax will I pay on a house in Pickering?
Multiply your MPAC assessed value by 1.337288%. Here’s what that works out to:
| MPAC assessed value | Property tax per year | Per month | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $5,349 | $446 | +$196 |
| $500,000 | $6,686 | $557 | +$245 |
| $563,000 (Pickering average) | $7,529 | $627 | +$276 |
| $650,000 | $8,692 | $724 | +$319 |
| $800,000 | $10,698 | $892 | +$392 |
| $1,000,000 | $13,373 | $1,114 | +$490 |
Average assessed value from the City of Pickering’s 2026 budget page.
To find your own number, look up your assessed value on your MPAC notice or at aboutmyproperty.ca, or use the City’s property tax calculator.
Why is my assessed value so much lower than what my home is worth?
Ontario’s 2026 property taxes are still based on what homes were worth on January 1, 2016. The Province has postponed every reassessment since then, so MPAC values haven’t been updated.
That’s why a Pickering home that would sell for about $900,000 today might be assessed at $563,000. You pay tax on the 2016 value, not today’s price. When you buy, your tax stays based on that same assessed value, not on what you paid.
How do I lower my property tax in Pickering?
You can’t change the rate, but you can challenge your assessed value. If MPAC has your home’s value too high, your tax is too high too. Here’s how to get it reviewed:
- Check your property’s details. Log in to AboutMyProperty with the roll number and access key from your MPAC notice. Make sure the square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, basement finish and lot size are correct. Mistakes here are the most common reason values come down.
- Compare your neighbours. AboutMyProperty shows the assessed values of similar homes nearby. If homes like yours are assessed noticeably lower, that’s evidence.
- File a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) with MPAC. It’s free and you can do it online through AboutMyProperty. Include your reasons and proof: photos, comparable homes, an appraisal or repair quotes. The deadline is printed on your Property Assessment Notice. MPAC usually replies within 180 days.
- Appeal to the Assessment Review Board if you disagree. You have 90 days from MPAC’s decision to file with the Assessment Review Board. Homeowners must file an RfR first.
Because values are still frozen at 2016 levels, arguing that prices have dropped won’t work. A review succeeds when MPAC has a fact wrong, or when your home is assessed higher than similar homes around you.
A real result: $1,200 a year back. We walked one Pickering homeowner through this exact process. We pulled together the facts that supported their case, they filed with MPAC, and their property tax came down by more than $1,200 for the year.
Our advice: if you’re not sure your property tax is right, reach out. We’ll show you how to check your assessment and whether it’s worth asking MPAC to take another look. Call or text Team Rajpal · 647.372.2997
Other ways to lower your bill: if your home was badly damaged, demolished or became unusable during the year, you can apply to the City for a tax adjustment for that part of the year. Low-income seniors and people with disabilities can apply for the City’s tax grant or deferral. Forms are on the City’s property tax page.
Source: MPAC Request for Reconsideration and Appeals fact sheet.
Do new builds in Seaton pay more property tax?
Not a higher rate. Every home in Pickering pays the same 1.337288%. New builds are assessed the same way, at what the home would have been worth in 2016.
The catch is the timing. When you close on a new home, the City often only bills you for the land at first. Once MPAC visits and assesses the finished house, you get a supplementary tax bill for the difference. It can arrive months or even a year after closing, and it can cover more than one year at once.
If you’re buying new in Seaton or Duffin Heights, set money aside for that bill from the day you close. We walk every new-build client through this before closing. Read more in our Seaton guide and our guide to the 2026 new home HST rebate.
Xerxes’s tip for pre-construction buyers:
“When a client buys pre-construction, the first thing we do is look at similar homes already sold nearby to estimate the property tax. Then we explain that the final number depends on what you add. Upgrades and extras like a side entrance or a finished basement need permits, and permits usually mean a higher assessed value, which means higher property tax.”
Xerxes Bharucha, Broker, Team Rajpal
When is property tax due in Pickering?
Pickering sends two bills a year, each paid in two instalments:
- Interim bill. About half of last year’s taxes. In 2026, it was due February 24 and April 24.
- Final bill. Mailed once the year’s rates are set, with two more instalments. The due dates are printed on the bill.
You can pay through your bank, by pre-authorized payment, or by having your mortgage lender pay it for you. New owners should tell the City about the sale so bills reach them. See the City’s property tax page for details.
Is Pickering’s property tax high compared to the rest of Durham?
Durham Region’s share of the rate is the same in every Durham town, so the difference between Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa comes from each city’s own share. The education rate is set by the Province and is the same everywhere. Pickering’s City share is 0.403528%, about 30% of the bill. What matters most for your budget is the assessed value of the specific home, so check it on every listing you look at.
What this means if you’re buying in Pickering
Budget for property tax as part of your monthly payment, not as an afterthought. On an average Pickering home, it’s about $627 a month. On a new build, plan for the supplementary bill too.
Xerxes’s take:
“Before our clients even start looking at homes in Pickering, we have them look at their total monthly payment: mortgage plus property tax. Durham Region has some of the highest property tax rates in the GTA, and that’s part of why prices here look so attractive. Property tax, and how much it goes up each year, is the biggest point of friction between Pickering homeowners and council. I’d call it the biggest downside of living in Pickering, and I say that as a Pickering homeowner, not just a realtor.”
Xerxes Bharucha, Broker, Team Rajpal
Want to see what’s for sale and what the taxes look like on each one? See houses for sale in Pickering and our Pickering housing market update. If it’s your first home, start with our first-time home buyer guide.
Talk to a local agent
Team Rajpal is the only real estate team with an office in Seaton, and we’ve helped Pickering buyers for over 25 years. If you’re looking for a realtor in Pickering who’ll walk you through the real costs of owning before you buy, start here.
Call or text Team Rajpal · 647.372.2997
Pickering property tax: FAQ
What is the property tax rate in Pickering for 2026?
The 2026 residential rate is 1.337288% of your MPAC assessed value. It’s made up of 0.780760% for Durham Region, 0.403528% for the City of Pickering and 0.153000% for education.
How much is property tax on an average house in Pickering?
The average Pickering home is assessed at $563,000, so the 2026 tax is about $7,529 a year, or $627 a month.
How do I calculate my property tax in Pickering?
Multiply your MPAC assessed value by 0.01337288. For a home assessed at $500,000, that’s $6,686 a year. You can also use the City of Pickering’s online property tax calculator.
Why is my property tax based on 2016 values?
Ontario has postponed property reassessments since 2016, so 2026 taxes are still based on what homes were worth on January 1, 2016. Your tax is not based on what you paid for your home.
How can I get my Pickering property reassessed to lower my taxes?
File a free Request for Reconsideration with MPAC through AboutMyProperty by the deadline on your assessment notice. Show that MPAC has a fact wrong, like square footage or basement finish, or that similar homes nearby are assessed lower. If you disagree with MPAC’s answer, you have 90 days to appeal to the Assessment Review Board.
How much did Pickering property taxes go up in 2026?
The total residential rate rose from 1.288240% to 1.337288%, about 3.8%. On the average home, that’s about $276 more for the year.
Do new homes in Seaton get a separate tax bill?
Often, yes. New-build owners are usually billed for the land first, then get a supplementary bill once MPAC assesses the finished house. It can arrive months after closing and cover more than one year, so set money aside.
When are Pickering property taxes due?
The 2026 interim bill was due in two instalments, on February 24 and April 24. The final bill comes later in the year with two more instalments, and the dates are printed on the bill.
Can I pay my Pickering property tax through my mortgage?
Yes. Many lenders collect property tax with your mortgage payment and pay the City for you. You can also pay through your bank or by pre-authorized payment.
Sources: City of Pickering property taxes (2026 rates and due dates); City of Pickering 2026 budget (average assessed value, 3.8% increase); MPAC assessment cycle (2016 values); MPAC reconsideration and appeals; wowa.ca (2018 to 2023 rates). Not tax or legal advice.
Have Questions?
Reach out to our experts! Whether you need help with a transaction or you’re just looking for market information, we’re here to help.
