Department of Finance & Taxation

The Finance Department is responsible for coordinating all the financial activities of the Municipality including the Hazel Hill Water Utility and Milford Haven Corporation. The major areas of responsibilities of the Department are property taxation, other source revenues, accounts payable, payroll, budgeting, accounting and financial management.

Contacts

Accounting
The Finance Department must ensure the Municipality’s accounting records are kept in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and are PSAB (Public Sector Accounting Board) compliant. The Finance Department is responsible for accurate reporting and for timely presentation of financial information to management, department heads and council. Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared and then audited by an independent Registered Municipal Auditor for the Province of Nova Scotia. The Municipality’s fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.


Land Transfer Tax
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough has a Deed Transfer Tax of 1.0 % of the value of the property transferred. The Deed Transfer Tax is collected on the Municipality’s behalf by the Province of Nova Scotia at the Registry of Deeds located on the lower floor at 33 Pleasant Street, Guysborough, Nova Scotia. You can contact the Registry of Deeds by calling 902-533-4011.


Property Tax Billing and Interest Rates
The Municipality’s tax bills are normally issued in either late May or early June and are due on or before July 31. All taxes not paid by the due date accrue interest at a rate of 18% per annum (1.5% per month). This annual tax bill is for the period spanning April 1 through to March 31. The Municipality sends out approximately 8,500 annual tax bills with reminder notices going out in September, November, January and March. If you have any questions in regards to your tax bill, please contact the Tax Office at 902-533-3705 ext. 229.


Tax Payments Methods
Tax payments may be made at the Municipal Tax Office located at 33 Pleasant Street, Guysborough, NS B0H 1N0 by presenting your tax bill to the Tax Clerk Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. The Municipality offers an Interac Machine and can accept Debit Card Payment (VISA, M/C, American Express, etc. are NOT accepted.). Your payment can also be made by mail. Send your cheque or money order to the Tax Office at PO Box 79, Guysborough, NS  B0H 1N0. Please remember to enclose the remittance stub of your tax bill with your payment and indicate your property number(s) on your cheque or money order. Online and telephone banking are other alternatives for paying property tax bills through most financial institutions.


Tax Rates and Area Rates
The 2009-2010 Residential/Resource tax rate for the Municipality of the District of Guysborough is $0.59 per $100 of assessment. The Commercial/Business Occupancy tax rate for 2009-2010 is $2.35 per $100 of assessed value. A large number of properties in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough also attract various area rates/charges including fire tax, street lighting and sewer operating charges. If you have any questions in regards to your tax bill, tax rate or area rates that apply to your property, please contact the Tax Office at 902-533-3705 ext. 229.


2008/2009 Financial Statements

2008-2009 Financial Statements.pdf


Operating Budget & Capital Budget for 2009-2010

Operating Budget 2009-2010.pdf

Capital Budget 2009-2010.pdf


Please click on the appropriate link for more information on Residential Taxation or Business Taxation.