Property Taxes
Tax Talk
Click here for the 2011 version of Tax Talk.
Home Owner Grant
The Home Owner Grant is a provincial program to help qualified property owners reduce their property taxes. To qualify for this grant:
- you must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and a permanent resident of British Columbia; and
- you must be the registered owner of the home on which the grant is being claimed;and
- the home must be your principal residence.
More information about this grant can be accessed at www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/hog.
You can apply for the Home Owner Grant these ways:
- Click here to reach the Home Owner Grant online application page OR
- Complete the application at the bottom of your tax notice and return to Municipal Hall by July 2, 2011
Methods of Payment
Internet or telephone banking. You may pay with these options if you are a member of a financial institution that offers these services. Your folio/roll number is your reference/account number (9 digits, no decimal). If you've sold your property or changed locations, contact your financial institution to update the account information, otherwise you might pay someone else's taxes.
Pay in person at most Canadian financial institutions. You must present the original remittance advice with payment. Photocopies cannot be processed through the banking system. If paying on the due date, please check your bank stamp to ensure the proper date. If using a bank machine, keep your receipt.
Mail or deliver cheque to municipal hall early enough to be received before the deadline. Cheques may be postdated for the due date to ensure timely payment processing.
In person at municipal hall, 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler BC V0N 1B4.
Deposit in the secure after-hours mail slot at the front entrance of municipal hall on or before due date.
CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED FOR PAYMENT OF TAXES OR UTILITIES.
Pre-Authorized Payment Options
The Resort Municipality of Whistler also offers a Pre-authorized Withdraw plan (PAWS) for tax and utility payments. We have two options available for the PAWS plan: One-time and Monthly.
All taxes must be paid in full prior to starting either plan. Please read the forms carefully to determine which plan will best suite your needs, and be sure to include a blank, VOID check when you return your completed form.
One-Time payment plan: authorizes the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) to withdraw the full amount of your annual tax and utility billing on the tax due date.
Download the one-time payment plan form
Monthly payment plan: authorizes the RMOW to withdraw a fixed amount on the first business day of each month from August through May of each year as prepayment for the following year's taxes. This amount is determined by you, and can only be changed or cancelled with your written authorization. Any outstanding balance or credit will be indicated on the tax notice sent to you at the end of May each year. You are responsible for paying the balance on your account prior to the tax due date to avoid penalties, or you can authorize RMOW to withdraw this balance automatically on the tax due date by circling YES for this option on the monthly form.
Download the monthly payment plan form
Download form to change or cancel your monthly plan payment
Penalties
A 5 percent penalty will be applied on current taxes if unpaid by the due date. If current taxes remain unpaid by September 30, a further five percent penalty will be added, without exception. These penalties are also applicable to the home owner grant portion of your taxes. To avoid these penalties, whether making payment or not, the Application For Home Owner Grant must be received at our municipal hall on or before the due date if you are eligible.
Interest on Arrears & Delinquent Taxes
Amounts unpaid as of December 31 will be transferred to Property Taxes in Arrears and accrue interest charges daily. Interest on Arrears & Delinquent taxes is calculated at the rate set by the Provincial government from January 1 to the date payment is received.
Are You Moving?
If you are moving or have recently moved provide us with written notification of change of address. Only registered owners are authorized to alter mailing address records.
Please complete the Change of Address form and return it to the Finance Department by fax, mail or email to finance at whistler.ca
Download the change of address form
Assessments
BC Assessment mailed the 2011 assessments on December 31, 2010. If you have not received your assessment or have any questions, please contact BC Assessment Vancouver Sea to Sky Office toll free: 1-800-661-1780, email:vancouver@bcassessment.ca, website http://www.bcassessment.ca/.
Tax Deferment Form
The Province of British Columbia Land Tax Deferment Program allows home owners to defer the payment of annual municipal property taxes. The home owner must meet the following qualifications:
- age 55 or older; or
- a surviving spouse (any age); or
- a person with a disability, as defined under the Disability Benefits Program Act
and
- be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who has lived in British Columbia for at least one year immediately prior to applying for tax deferment benefits.
- apply on the home in which you live
- have a minimum equity of 25% in your home based on assessed values as determined by BC Assessment
Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children
The Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program is a new option available to assist families during those years when household costs can be the highest. It is a loan program that allows you to defer all, or part of, the annual property taxes on your home for the 2010 and following tax years.
To learn more about the qualifications for this program, click here.
More information about the tax deferment program available here.
Renew Your Deferment
If you are enrolled in the tax deferment program and want to continue to defer your taxes, you are required to complete a renewal application each year. The renewal application will be sent to you by the deferment office in Victoria.
Click here for more information about renewing your deferment.
