Saskatoon business too late to appeal 170 per cent tax increase: City
A Saskatoon business owner is taking his tax fight to city council over what he calls a "tax overassessment error."
Neil Robinson, owner of Garden Architecture in Riversdale, appeared before the city's standing committee on finance asking for relief on his outstanding taxes from 2021.
Robinson sought out Scharfstein LLP to write a letter to city council to forgive outstanding taxes on three properties of Robinson's along Avenue A and B.
Robinson says he was handed his 2021 tax bills in January, which had staggering increases of up to 170 per cent compared to what he paid in 2020.
"Why am I giving the city extra money for taxes on their error?" Robinson said to the committee Tuesday.
With 2021 beginning a new four-year calculation for property tax assessments, as mandated by the provincial government, many business owners were shocked at the sharp and sudden increases.
Pressure and numerous complaints from the business community led the city's board of revision to use a different form of valuation, which brought about more acceptable tax increases for 2022.
Robinson said any business in Riversdale he's spoken to appealed the tax increases within the 60-day period and had their 2021 taxes rolled back to reflect the changes.
"If we rolled it back and level set it for everybody, it would have balanced out at the end of the day and I would have no problem paying that," Robinson said.
The problem with Robinson's request is he missed the 60-day window to appeal. While he just wants the same treatment as his neighbours, the city just wants what it’s owed. The city recently put a tax lien on Garden Architecture for the arrears owing for 2021.
"Because there was no appeal filed, there would be no impact until 2022, which is when the changes to the model was spread out to retail properties in the area," the city's director of corporate revenue Mike Voth said.
Robinson paid $16,814 in taxes in 2021 when he owed $34,594, leaving a difference of $17,780. Had the 2022 values been applied, Robinson would have owed $25,375.
Councilor Zach Jeffries wondered what risk the city is leaving itself open to if Robinson's request is accepted. Would retroactively applying the tax changes to those who didn't appeal set a precedent?
"It would have a broad impact on the city. And you can expect that other property owners would also be looking for that same consideration. It would bring significant financial risk to the city, for sure," city solicitor Cindy Yelland said during the meeting.
The committee asked administration to prepare a report on the full impact of applying retroactive property assessment changes when the committee meets again next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.