Municipal Accommodation Tax
MAT is currently enacted across the province, including GTA municipalities such as the cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Markham and the Town of Oakville, who have all adopted the standard rate of four per cent.
As competition increases across the GTA, and new accommodation options are available, Vaughan must focus on its business development efforts to capture and increase overnight visits and provide memorable and authentic experiences to all people as a destination of choice.
Tourism is an important economic driver for Vaughan. Beyond accommodations and attractions, the sector also includes arts, entertainment, transportation providers, retail, food and beverage, personal services, sports providers, cultural industries, etc. The Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries estimated that the Tourism industry accounts for more than 3,500 business employing almost 52,000 people in the City.
The City of Vaughan approved a four per cent MAT on hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts and motels effective April 1, 2019 as a dedicated source of funding for tourism marketing and promotion. A planning and regulatory framework is now in place, and the MAT is now applicable to short-term rentals, including online home-sharing platforms as of September 1, 2020.
MAT Registration and Submission Link
MAT By-laws
- Municipal Accommodation Tax By-law 029-2019 (PDF)
- Municipal Accommodation Tax Short-term Rental By-law 183-2019
In 2019, the Conference Board of Canada projects that the accommodations and hospitality sector will generate an estimated GDP of $321 million. This number grows substantially higher when all other tourism-related businesses are factored in. Leading attractions in Vaughan, such as Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan Mills, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, LEGOLAND and the upcoming Cirque du Soleil Creactive, brings millions of visitors each year who contribute to the local economy and help our small businesses thrive.
Revenue from MAT will be used for marketing the tourism experience in this growing and thriving municipality. Working with Tourism Vaughan Corporation, Vaughan accommodation providers will offer valuable advice on how to enhance and attract tourism to the city. The funds may also be used to enhance visitor and resident experience while in the City, and may include wayfinding and beautification, infrastructure improvements and communications.
To learn more about the implementation of the MAT, please view the Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information, contact us at mat@vaughan.ca.