Ryan’s Canadian Annual Property Tax Review 2026 Reveals Significant Tax Disparities Across Major Cities

Annual report examines commercial property tax rates, assessment trends, and disparities in property taxation across Canada

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, today released its Canadian Annual Property Tax Review 2026, highlighting significant variations in commercial property taxation, assessment practices, and tax burdens across 11 major Canadian cities.

Ryan’s Canadian Annual Property Tax Review provides commercial property owners, investors, and businesses with a comprehensive analysis of property tax trends across Canada’s major markets. The report examines commercial and residential tax rates, property assessments, and market conditions, offering insights to help businesses better understand their property tax obligations, evaluate assessment accuracy, and make more informed investment decisions.

“Property values and market conditions are constantly evolving, but property tax systems don't always keep pace,” said Kim van Vliet, Principal and Practice Leader of Property Tax at Ryan. “When assessments become outdated or tax policies place a disproportionate burden on certain property classes, the result can be significant inequities for taxpayers.”

Key findings include:

• Canadian businesses face significantly higher property tax rates, with commercial properties taxed at an average of 2.89 times the residential rate.
• Quebec cities have the largest tax disparities, with Montreal recorded at the highest commercial-to-residential tax ratio.
• Property tax costs vary substantially across markets, with Montreal recording the highest benchmark office property taxes, Vancouver the highest retail property taxes, and Halifax the highest warehouse property taxes.
• Ontario's outdated assessments continue to create inequities, distorting property taxation with assessments based on 2016 values.

“Property taxation is complex, with assessment practices, municipal tax policies, and changing property values all influencing what taxpayers ultimately pay,” said Garry Round, President of Canadian Operations at Ryan. “Through this annual report, we're providing property owners and businesses with the data and insights they need to better understand their tax liabilities, identify potential inequities, and ensure they're paying their fair share—and no more.”

To learn more, read Ryan’s full report here.

About Ryan

Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the Firm combines deep tax expertise with practitioner-built technology and comprehensive consulting, compliance, and advocacy capabilities. Supported by the acclaimed myRyan work environment, more than 7,600 team members are empowered to deliver exceptional results for more than 87,000 clients in over 80 countries, including many of the world’s most prominent Global 5000 companies. Driven by a commitment to client advocacy, Ryan helps businesses pay only what they owe, freeing capital to invest, grow, and thrive. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com.