The following excerpts are taken from The City of Ottawa news updates.

With more than 80 per cent of Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declarations completed, the Thursday, March 16 deadline is quickly approaching for those residential property owners who have not submitted their declaration. If a declaration is not filed – even if it is a principal residence – it will be deemed vacant and the VUT will be applied.

An online declaration takes less than five minutes to complete. Visit ottawa.ca/vut, click Submit Declaration, and input the roll number and access code found on your VUT information notice or last year’s property tax bill. All residential property owners must provide some basic information on the occupancy of their property, even if it is their principal residence.

Residents registered with MySeviceOttawa can go directly to the declaration from their property tax account.

Alternate and accessible declarations options are available
The City has set up declaration options for residents who require accessibility-related support and for those without access to the internet or digital devices – like computers, tablets and other hand-held devices:

• Call Revenue Services at 613-580-2444 and select option 3 to complete a declaration over the phone or to book an in-person appointment at the Mary Pitt Centre at 100 Constellation Drive.

• Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. The service uses the internet and mobile phone technology to connect the caller with real-time sign language interpretation.

All declarations will be eligible for an audit, and false claims could result in a fine of up to $10,000.

Learn more about the Vacant Unit Tax at ottawa.ca/vut. Information summary is also available on the website inArabic, Somali, Simplified Chinese and Spanish.