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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 2012 THE NEW TANNER 7 BELLA BELLIES: TDI (Total Dance Innovations) instructor Stephanie Hunter-Ing (front, third from left) led the shimmying at the Friday night belly dance class at the Mill Street studios. ­ Ted Tyler photos Junior and Senior Kindergarten registration underway The basics of property taxes Paying property taxes is a necessary side effect of home ownership. Across Canada, residents are required to pay property taxes based on an assessment of their homes' value. Taxes on land and the buildings on it are one of the biggest sources of revenue for local governments. In Canada, property taxes are levied by the jurisdiction in which the property is located. Although the taxes are mandated by a higher governing power, the rate at which you pay taxes could be based on a very local assessment of the area in which your house is located and the current market conditions. An assessor will visit a home ­ usually prior to purchase ­ and make a determination on the percentage of tax to be paid depending on the condition of the home, the improvements that have been made and the climate of the economy in your particular town or city. Property taxes are usually calculated by taking the assessed value of your home and multiplying it by the tax rate that has been determined by your local government. While no one can "legally" escape paying property taxes, there are several ways to have them lowered. Getting your home re-assessed is one such way. Individuals who have reached a certain age may be eligible for certain discounts on property taxes. But this may require a very low income to qualify. There are also some tax credits or homestead exemptions that may qualify you for a limited assessed value on the property. In this tough economy, lowering property taxes (which can be rolled into the mortgage amount for ease of payment) could substantially reduce bills. If you suspect your property taxes are high, here are the steps to take. · Get a copy of your property tax assessment from the local assessor's office and double-check all the information contained to see if it is correct. · Check the assessments of five comparable homes that have sold in your neighbourhood in the last three years. · An independent appraiser can also provide you accurate information at a cost. · It's not possible to lower the property tax rate, just the assessed value of the home through an official appeal. There may be fees associated with this appeal, however. Some home improvements will increase the value of your home and, in turn, your property taxes. Here are some of the most common culprits: - extra stories to the home - outhouses, like a guest house - sports courts, like tennis - installation of an inground pool - improvements to fencing - addition of a garage or another room on the home A change in the status of a neighbourhood can also give rise to higher property taxes. An influx of new residents or new construction of stores and homes can have a major effect on the assessed value of your home. The Halton District School Board is accepting registrations for Junior and Senior Kindergarten for September 2012. Please drop by or call your designated elementary school to find out which dates have been established for Kindergarten registration. Parents are asked to register their children by February 17. Please bring the following original documents when registering: · Proof of address: lease or purchase agreement or current property tax bill. · Proof of age: birth certificate, passport or baptismal/faith document for your child. · Proof of citizenship: birth certificate or passport or Record of Landing (IMM 1000) or Permanent Resident card. · Proof of immunization, or philosophical or r e l i g i o u s exemption forms (completed medical authorization where necessary). If you are not the child's parent, or if you have sole custody, please bring proof of custody (court order). To register for Fall 2012, Junior Kindergarten children must be four years old by December 31, 2012, and Senior Kindergarten children must be five years old by December 31, 2012. To determine your designated home school, access our website, www.hdsb.ca, click on the "Schools" tab, then "School Locator". Call your designated school to find out which dates have been established for Kindergarten registration. If you require language assistance registering your student for school, please contact the Halton Multicultural Council at 905-842-2486. The Ontario Ministry of Education is introducing the Early Learning Program ( f u l l d a y, e v e r y d a y kindergarten) over a five-year period. Information regarding which Halton schools will offer this program in 2012-2013 is available on the Halton District School Board website (www.hdsb.ca). NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ACTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Annual Meeting to be held on Saturday January 21st, 2012, starting at 10:00 am in the boardroom of the Dufferin Rural Heritage Community Centre. The morning portion of the meeting is open to the public and anyone who might be interested in becoming a new member. Come out and see what we are all about. After lunch the meeting is open to current members only. The purpose of the afternoon portion will be to receive the Financial Statements for 2011 and for the Election of Officers and Directors. Jill Medland Secretary/Treasurer Acton Ag Society TANNERS IS NOW OPEN! We want to thank our customers for their patience while we were closed, We are now opened for business and Tanners is looking forward to serving you in 2012 Come join us Saturday January 21st as we have Tim Hicks entertaining our customers From 8pm - 12am Join us Sunday Februray 5th for Super Bowl XLVI.