Dog tax: register, pay, check for reductions
With a dog comes the dog tax. It is a municipal tax that each municipality sets itself, so the amount varies widely. Above all, one thing is important: you have to register your dog.
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What you should do now
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1. Register the dog
Register your dog with the municipality on time (often possible online).
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2. Check the bylaw
Look into your municipality's dog tax bylaw: amount, reductions, exemptions.
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3. Apply for a reduction
Do you meet a condition (for example an assistance dog or a shelter dog)? Then apply for a reduction or exemption.
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4. Do not forget to deregister
When you give up the dog, move, or the dog dies, deregister it to avoid continuing to pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register my dog for dog tax?
Yes. Registering your dog with the municipality is mandatory as soon as you keep it (usually within a short deadline). The dog tax is a municipal tax; your municipality sets its amount and the details in a bylaw. Anyone who fails to register risks back payments and a fine.
Are there exceptions to the dog tax?
Often yes. Many municipal bylaws provide for reductions or exemptions, for example for guide and assistance dogs, certain service dogs or dogs taken in from an animal shelter. Check your municipality's bylaw and file an application if you meet one of the conditions.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.