If you own a home or business in Saint John, keep an eye on your mailbox this week. Service New Brunswick has mailed out property assessment notices for the 2026 taxation year, and this year comes with a significant change designed to protect your wallet.

The One-Year Freeze Explained

The provincial government has implemented a one-year freeze on the "value for taxation." This is the specific figure used to calculate how much property tax you owe. While property values across the province continue to fluctuate, this freeze ensures that for most eligible property owners, the value used for 2026 taxes remains identical to the 2025 level.

This measure aims to shield roughly 430,000 property owners from sudden tax hikes caused by rising assessment values. According to the Government of New Brunswick, this pause allows time for a comprehensive overhaul of the province’s property tax system.

Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy, who is also responsible for Service New Brunswick, emphasized the need for predictability.

"This one-year freeze is about providing stability and predictability for New Brunswickers while we take the time to carefully review and improve the property tax system, so it is fair, transparent and works better for people across the province," Kennedy stated.

Market Values and Revenue

Despite the freeze on individual taxation values, the province’s overall assessment base—the total value of all property assessments—has grown. It now sits at $99.8 billion, marking an increase of $2.7 billion, or 2.7 per cent, since last year. These assessments are vital as they allow provincial and local governments to collect the revenue needed to deliver essential services like road maintenance and emergency response.

Key Dates to Watch

While you receive your assessment notice now, your actual bill comes later. Property tax bills, which will show the specific amount you owe for both provincial and local taxes, will be mailed on March 2.

How to Appeal Your Assessment

If you review your notice and believe the assessed value does not reflect the true market value of your property, you have the right to appeal. The process is free of charge.

You can file a request for review online or by calling 1-888-762-8600. You must act quickly, however. The deadline to file a request for review for the 2026 taxation year is Feb. 18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my property taxes go up this year?
For most property owners, the value used to calculate your taxes is frozen at the 2025 level. However, your final bill depends on the tax rate set by the local municipality, which is applied to that value.

When will I know exactly how much I have to pay?
The actual tax bills showing the amount owed will be mailed on March 2.

What if I disagree with the value on my notice?
You can file a request for review. You must do this by Feb. 18, either online or by calling Service New Brunswick at 1-888-762-8600.

Why is there a freeze on the value for taxation?
The government implemented the freeze to provide stability while they work on overhauling the property tax system to make it fairer and more transparent.