Taxes and Utilities
Durham Region is open for business!
Despite the significant reduction in the United States of America (U.S.) corporate income taxes, Canada continues to have a tax system that offers businesses unparalleled tax advantages, including:
- A combined federal/provincial tax rate of 26.5 per cent, lower than all other provinces and key U.S. states such as New York and Illinois. Canada’s marginal effective tax rate (METR) is the lowest in the G7 and below the average for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
- A Harmonized Sales Tax allowing businesses to write off taxes paid on most goods and services, making capital investment more affordable in Ontario than most other locations in the U.S. and Canada (whereas most states impose sales taxes that apply to business purchases).
- Flexibility for firms to use business losses in order to access cash flow when they need it most by allowing for a three-year loss carryback and 20-year carryforward, as well as a full offset of losses against taxable income.
- Favourable depreciation rules for long-lived assets such as buildings, which allow businesses to write off their investments faster.
Taxes and Utilities in Durham Region
The Regional Municipality of Durham establishes annual property tax rates.
Electricity, gas, water, and sewer are provided across the Region through several service providers, including the Region of Durham.
The Region of Durham operates and maintains our municipal water and sewage infrastructure. We supply safe drinking water to customers across the region. We oversee the municipal sanitary sewage systems and help connect existing or future homes to the sanitary sewer system or the water supply system.
If you have questions about taxes or utilities, or need assistance with relocating your business, please contact us.
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