Reminder: Declare Your Principal Residence if You Did Not Automatically Receive HATC Property Tax Credit (Winnipeg)

If you are a homeowner in Winnipeg and did not receive the Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) for your principal residence on your 2025 property tax bill, you should complete and submit Self-Declaration-Form to the City of Winnipeg by November 15th, 2025.

This step is important to ensure that the HATC is applied directly to your property tax bill. Without this declaration, the credit will not appear on your property tax bill, and you will have to wait until you file your 2025 Personal Taxes to receive it.

What is the HATC?

The Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) is a new tax credit introduced for the 2025 tax year. It replaces the former Education Property Tax Credit (EPTC) and offers a credit of up to $1,500 to reduce the gross school taxes on your principal residence.

The HATC replaces both Manitoba School Tax Rebate, which previously offered a 50% rebate on school taxes, and the Education Property Tax Credit Advance, which provided up to $350. Because the HATC is capped at $1,500, it will result in reduced tax relief for owners of higher-value homes. However, owners of lower-value homes will benefit more, as their school taxes could be eliminated if they fall below the $1,500 threshold.

Below are samples of Property Tax bills showing the new and old credit:

HATC will apply to principal residences only. It does not apply to any other properties such as rental properties, secondary residences, cottages, commercial properties.

Why Declaration is Needed

If you did not receive the EPTCA in 2024, the City of Winnipeg does not have a record of your principal residence designation. In this case, you must self-declare your principal residence in order to receive the HATC on your 2025 property tax statement.

You should also declare if:

• You recently purchased your home;

• You’ve changed your principal residence; or

• You have never declared your principal residence with the City of Winnipeg.

  
  

Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for the HATC Advance:

1. The taxpayer must own the property and be their principal residence

2. The property must be assessed as a single residential dwelling

3. The homeowner cannot be receiving the credit on another home elsewhere in the Province

4. Ownership has not changed since the 2025 Tax Notice was issued

Deadline to Declare

The declaration must be filed with the City of Winnipeg by November 15, 2025.

Download and complete the following form:

Submit it to City of Winnipeg here: Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit self-declaration

Missed the Deadline?

If the HATC is not applied to your property tax account due to missing the declaration, you can still claim it on your 2025 personal income tax return. Please provide our office a copy of your property tax bill if this is the case.

Final Thoughts

To make sure you receive the full benefit you’re entitled to, confirm your eligibility and declare your principal residence with the City of Winnipeg as soon as possible.

For more information refer to the following sources:

Province of Manitoba | finance - Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit

Tax Credit Programs - Assessment and Taxation Department - City of Winnipeg

This blog has been prepared to provide general guidance and should not be considered specific advice. It may not address individual situations, and the information contained should not be used as a basis for action or inaction without seeking professional advice tailored to your circumstances. For personalized assistance, please contact Jenkyns Smith CPA's LLP.