|
|
|
|
 |
Departments > Finance Department > Controller Division > Property Taxes
Quicklinks
What's New 2010 Property Tax Notices have been mailed - if you have not received your tax notice by May 31 please contact the Revenue Department at 250.361.0228. For 2010 City Council approved a municipal property tax increase of 4.31%. For every $100,000 of assessed property value, a homeowner will see an estimated $15 increase in their 2010 property taxes; business owners will see an increase of $53. Your property tax notice also includes other government agency levies that set their own tax rates. These estimated increases will vary depending on whether your property assessment was higher or lower than the average overall increase in assessment values. The average overall increase in Residential Assessments was 1% and 3% for Business Assessments. If your property assessment increase was lower than the average increase, your property tax increase will be lower than the estimate given, and in some cases may be less than the previous year's taxes. If your assessment increase was higher than average, your property tax increase will be higher than the estimate given. Each year, BC Assessment produces independent property assessments for all property owners in the province. Property owners receive a Property Assessment notice each year in December from BC Assessment and have until January 31 to appeal that assessment. BC Assessment provides assessed values to the City of Victoria and other government agencies as the basis for calculating property taxes each year. [ back to top ] Online Property Tax Services
[ back to top ] When Are Property Taxes Due? Taxes are due on Friday, July 2, 2010. A penalty of 10% is applied to outstanding current year taxes at the close of business on July 2, 2010. [ back to top ] Payment Options For Property Taxes
[ back to top ] Provincial Home Owner Grant Property owners who are Canadian Citizens or permanent residents who ordinarily reside in British Columbia and occupy a property as their principal residence may be eligible for a Provincial Home Owner Grant. The applicable grant amount has already been applied to the amount owing on your tax notice. Columns B and C on the tax notice reflect the two possible grant categories available. The Home Owner Grant application should be returned to City Hall or claimed online as soon as possible. It is not necessary to make your tax payment in order to claim the grant. Penalty charges apply to Home Owner Grant amounts if unclaimed by the July 2, 2010 deadline. To claim the grant online, please click here. You will require the folio number and access code noted on the top left corner of the property tax notice. If you claim online, DO NOT send in the paper application form. If you are not eligible for the home owner grant, DO NOT complete the application form on the bottom of the notice. To find out more about the home owner grant program go to the Ministry of Finance website. [ back to top ] Property Tax Inquiry & Tax Certificate Faxback Service The City of Victoria is pleased to announce an information system available for municipal properties on our website. The information available includes current year and prior year assessments, legal descriptions and tax levy information. To access this information, select the inquiry page link above. Tax Certificates: You can now obtain our Tax Certificates through BC OnLine. If you are already a customer of BC OnLine, log on to their web site at www.bconline.gov.bc.ca and select Tax Certificates Online from the main menu. For information about BC OnLine, or to become a customer, see their web site or call them at 250.953.8250. 
[ back to top ] Property Taxation Property taxation is the most important single source of municipal revenue. The amount of money that is to be raised through property taxes, and a portion of the tax rate, is set by Council each year. The tax rate together with the assessed value of the property determines the amount of property tax payable each year. Tax rates are expressed in "dollars per thousand". A rate of $10 per thousand means that the property owner would pay $10 for every $1,000 of assessed value.
[ back to top ] Assessments The value of a property for tax purposes is determined by BC Assessment, independent of the municipality. [ back to top ] School Taxes The municipality acts as the collection agency for school taxes. School taxes are paid to the Provincial Government. [ back to top ] Other Agencies on Your Tax Notice Several public agencies affect the property tax rate and the amount of property tax collected by the City of Victoria each year. The municipality does not have control over the tax rates set by other agencies for which we collect taxes on behalf of. More information on these agencies is available through their websites:
[ back to top ] Address Change If you would like to submit an address change for your property tax account or have any inquiries about your property taxes please send your request to either of the following:
[ back to top ] Tax Sale for Delinquent Property Taxes Properties with delinquent taxes (three years of taxes owing) will go to public auction if the delinquent taxes remain unpaid. The Tax Sale - [PDF 11KB] is held on the last Monday of every September. [ back to top ] Property Tax Deferment Programs Programs are available for (1) Families with Children, (2) Financial Hardship, and (3) 55 and over, Surviving Spouse or Person with a Disability. Contact the City of Victoria tax office for further information or click here. If you are already in the deferment program, please submit your deferment renewal form and your home owner grant application together before the due date to the City of Victoria. [ back to top ] Property Tax Exemption Under the Community Charter, Section 224, Council may choose to grant property tax exemption to non-profit organizations. The application process begins in April and the bylaw is passed by October 31 of each year. The organizations approved for exemption by Council will receive an exemption for the following year only and must reapply annually. The Permissive Property Tax Exemption Policy [PDF 51KB] adopted in September 2004 is available for further information. [ back to top ] Heritage Tax Exemption The City of Victoria is pleased to offer a Tax Incentive Program (TIP) to eligible owners of downtown Heritage Designated buildings to offset seismic upgrading costs for the purpose of residential conversion of existing upper storeys. If you have any questions please contact our office at 250.361.0228 or By E-mail [ back to top ] How to Reach Us Phone: 250.361.0228 [ back to top ]
|
|
ABOUT TRUST ONLINE |
