The Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program provides support for fixed property tax and energy costs to businesses that are most impacted by public health measures in response to the Omicron variant.

Effective March 1, 2022, Ontario has lifted capacity limits in all indoor public settings. Due to the wind-down of public health restrictions across the province, the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will close for applications on March 14^th, 2022. Businesses must submit their applications before the portal closure in order to be considered for the rebate.

Businesses will be required to submit proof of costs associated with property tax and energy bills as part of the application process.
To apply, visit Businesses: Get help with COVID-19 costs and follow the link to complete the online application form.

• Eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity will receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to these measures.
• Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity to 50 per cent, such as smaller retail stores, will receive a rebate payment equivalent to 50 per cent of their property tax and energy costs.
• Eligible businesses required to close for indoor activities, such as restaurants and gyms, will receive a rebate payment equal to 100 per cent of their costs.
• As of February 7, 2022, some eligible business types will be able to submit two billing cycles for rebates based on their specific restriction duration and capacity restriction level.

The Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program Guide includes a full list of eligible businesses and is available at ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs.

Payments to eligible businesses are retroactive to December 19, 2021.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business must be subject to a provincially-mandated capacity limit of 50 per cent or lower (including a requirement to temporarily close)
• Business must pay commercial (non-residential) property taxes and/or non-residential energy costs – either directly or through the property owner (as detailed in their lease)
• Not-for-profits and charities may be eligible if their operations/service is impacted by the capacity limits and meets the eligibility criteria.
• Eligible energy bills must be dated on or after December 19, 2021. So any electricity or gas bill with a statement date on or after Dec 19, 2021, is eligible for the rebate. Any bills with a statement date on or before Dec 18, 2021, is ineligible for the rebate. No partial bills will be accepted – the bills are either eligible or ineligible based on the statement date.
• Applicants are only eligible to submit 1 bill cycle, which means they can submit 1 electricity and 1 gas bill. Applicants can choose which bill to rebate as long as the bill is dated on or after Dec 19, 2021

Application Process

• To apply, visit Businesses: Get help with COVID-19 costs and follow the link to complete the online application.
• Businesses are required to submit proof of costs associated with property tax and/or energy bills as part of the application process.

Payment

• Approved applicants will receive funds via Electronic Fund Transfer directly into their business bank account. Business bank accounts must be located in Ontario.
• Funds will not be deposited into a personal account used for business purposes.

Contact Information

For questions contact ServiceOntario at:

Toll-free: 1-855-216-3090
TTY: 416-325-3408
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-268-7095

Call centres are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT, excluding government and statutory holidays.

You can view the Government News Release and more information at: News Release