Canada launched consultations Friday on a proposed 1% tax on unused, foreign-owned housing, soliciting views from tax experts, lawyers, the real estate sector, and the tourism industry.
The consultations run until Sept. 17 and will inform key aspects of the proposed Underused Housing Tax. The tax is meant to increase housing affordability by reducing the use of homes as passive investments, Finance Canada said on its website.
The department’s own proposals include having the tax apply on the assessed value of the property or the property’s most recent sale price, whichever is higher, a background document said.
Finance Canada ...