We are writing to provide you with an update to our January 29, 2021 memo about our digital-first approach to providing services. The Assessment Review Board (ARB) is continuing to implement its digital-first approach to meet the diverse needs of Ontarians and enhance the quality of its dispute resolution services.
The ARB has made several updates to the following e-Services:
e-File: Use this fast, secure, reliable and “real-time” filing system to file and pay for your appeal. You will receive immediate confirmation of receipt of your appeal upon completion of e-filing. E-filing eliminates the delays from mailing your appeal to the ARB and having it processed manually.
In preparation for the next assessment cycle, we will be improving our e-filing service to allow you to e-file some tax appeals.
All assessment appeals must be filed by the e-filing system only.
Email Communication: As part of the digital-first approach, we have implemented a new rule that establishes how we communicate with parties. The ARB introduced Rule 18 in the new Rules of Practice and Procedure, which took effect April 1, 2021, stating that:
All parties to a proceeding shall provide an email address to the Board for purpose of correspondence with the Board. The Board may direct a party to a proceeding to provide the Board with any email address in its possession for another party in the proceeding.
This means anyone who files an appeal with us must provide an email address. Updates on your appeals will only be provided by email. There are many options available to create an email address if you do not already have one. If you have not provided an email address for us, we will be reaching out to you to ask that you provide one immediately for communication purposes.
Electronic Document Format and Filing Requirements Guideline: The ARB has issued a guideline providing direction on the requirements for naming documents that will be filed with the ARB electronically.
Elimination of Paper Notices: To eliminate paper notices, the ARB has created a data file for serving the Notice of Hearing. The ARB will be piloting this initiative with two municipalities, the City of Toronto and City of North Bay in the coming months. During the pilot period, we will be evaluating the information and looking for feedback from the participating municipalities. We will be asking the municipalities to identify an email address to ensure that there is a dedicated source for data delivery.
The ARB will be issuing a practice direction to support this initiative, which will be served on all 444 municipalities and will be posted on our website.
In the future, we hope to develop a secure website as a drop box for all notices such as: notice of hearings, schedule of events, commencement dates, new appeal information and decisions. We also expect to include the tax representatives and law firms.
Some of the digital services we would like to remind you of are:
- ARB Website: Our website is the main portal to access information about the Board. By visiting our website you can:
- find information about managing the appeal process and news updates
- access our e-Services and other important resources
- view appeals and appeal commencement dates, which are updated monthly
- review the ARB Rules of Practice and Procedure
- download forms
- stay informed about operational updates
- Tax Calculator: This is an interactive online reference tool that helps potential appellants calculate estimated savings from a possible change in assessment value. Potential appellants can then determine if any potential savings offset the costs related to filing an appeal.
Thank you all, for your continued support.