Property taxes due Tuesday
The first day of summer was June 21. Before we get too excited about the much anticipated warm days, we need to reach into our pocket once more.
It’s time to pay our 2017 property taxes, due Tuesday.
If you are a home or property owner, then you owe property taxes.
Do you own property within a municipality such as the City of Kelowna or West Kelowna?
Your tax notice is sent directly from city hall.
By the time you read this article, you should have received your 2017 property tax notice.
If not, contact the city’s revenue branch at 250-469-8757.
For rural property, defined as land outside cities, towns, districts and other municipal areas, owners usually receive their property tax notice by mid-June.
Tax notices are sent to the last known owner on record with the Surveyor of Taxes office.
If you have not received your notice or have recently purchased property, you can contact the local Service BC Centre to obtain a tax notice and avoid late payment penalties.
Nowadays, contact can be by telephone at 1-800-663-7867, the centre’s website or in person at 305 - 478 Bernard Ave. in Kelowna.
The tax notice outlines each separate tax that is assessed.
Services such as sewer usage, garbage, landfill and recycling may appear as a flat rate.
The two major recipients of your property taxes are the municipality or regional district and the school district.
These two groups receive almost 90 per cent of your total property tax payment.
Even if you do not have children currently enrolled in the public school system you are still required to pay school taxes.
There are many options available to pay your property taxes.
Payments can be made by mail to the address listed on the notice or paid in person at any Canadian financial institution.
You may also pay your property taxes through your regular monthly mortgage payments or via internet or telephone banking.
Check with your financial institution for details.
Whatever your method, remember to first complete and sign your 2017 home owner grant application form.
Drop off the completed form at city hall, or if time is tight, claim it online at Kelowna.ca/propertytax.
After the tax due date of July 4, a five per cent penalty is applied to any balance, including unclaimed home owner grants.
That’s an expensive lesson if you wait to pay your taxes on July 5 or later.
If your taxes are still unpaid by Aug. 8, a further five per cent penalty is imposed.
Three separate programs are available to assist property owners in the payment of their taxes.
They are the home owner grant, property- tax deferment and farm extension program.
Home owner grants can reduce you property taxes by as much as $770.
To qualify for the home owner grant you must live in your home in 2017.
If you meet additional criteria, such as being over 65, a veteran or certain persons with disabilities, you may qualify for a total grant of up to $1,045. This grant must be applied for each year. You must complete, sign and submit the grant application by July 4.
If you own rural property, contact the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue at 1-888-355-2700 for more information.
If you own property located within a municipality, contact the local city hall for information.
The tax deferment program allows homeowners to defer taxes.
Those who qualify are 55 years or older, persons who are widowed or those with certain disabilities.
Low-interest loans can assist you in payment of your annual property taxes.
Before you can apply to defer your current property taxes, you must have paid all property taxes from prior years.
The farm extension program allows the tax due date to be extended to Oct. 31.
Farmers must apply for the extension by July 4.
Complete and sign your homeowners grant and pay your taxes. Then, sit back and enjoy your property. Your taxes are paid for the rest of the year.
Now, where is my bike?!