Business

Economic Development News

Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program

Ontario Expands Rebates for Property Tax and Energy Costs to support businesses that are most impacted by provincial public health measures. The program will support eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity due to recently announced public health measures.

Through the new (and now expanded) Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program (OBCRP), eligible businesses will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to capacity limits. The rebate amount will be 50% up to 100% of these costs depending on the degree to which the business is subject to public health restrictions.

• Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50%, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50% of their property tax and energy costs.
• Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 100% of their costs. 

Full eligibility details will be available in mid-January. Online applications for this program will open on January 18, 2022 with payments to eligible businesses provided retroactive to December 19, 2021. Businesses will be required to submit property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.

Cash-flow Supports for Businesses Through Tax Deferrals

Six-month Interest- and Penalty-free Period

Effective January 1, 2022, the province is also providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.

Businesses have the option to delay payments on the following provincial taxes:

• Employer Health Tax
• Beer, Wine & Spirits Taxes
• Tobacco Tax
• Insurance Premium Tax
• Fuel Tax
• International Fuel Tax Agreement
• Gas Tax
• Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts & Benefit Plans
• Mining Tax
• Race Tracks Tax

Click here for more information

Click here for more information on the newly announced COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant for Businesses