General information only — not legal, tax, financial, or real-estate advice. Verify with a licensed BC professional before acting.
Property tax in BC is an annual tax levied by municipalities and taxing authorities on the assessed value of real property. Each July 1, BC Assessment establishes an assessed value under the Assessment Act, RSBC 1996, c. 20. In the following calendar year, the municipality (or Surveyor of Taxes in rural areas) sets its mill rate and issues a tax notice. The tax funds municipal services, schools, hospitals, regional districts, TransLink (in Metro Vancouver) and BC Assessment. Eligible principal-residence owners may apply for the Home Owner Grant to reduce the amount payable; low-income seniors and persons with disabilities may qualify for property-tax deferment. Program rules change annually — confirm current amounts and deadlines with the Government of BC and your municipality.
Most BC municipalities set a due date in early July (commonly the first business day of July). The Rural Property Tax due date is July 2. Late payment triggers a penalty (typically 5% or 10%). Verify your municipality's specific due date on your tax notice.
Assessed value (set by BC Assessment as of July 1 of the prior year) × the mill rate (set by your municipality and other taxing authorities). The Home Owner Grant, if claimed, is then subtracted.
The Property Tax Deferment Program allows eligible homeowners (age 55+, surviving spouses, families with children, or persons with disabilities) to defer some or all of their property tax as a low-interest loan against title. Program rules change — verify current eligibility on the Government of BC website.
Verify the specific statutory language, thresholds, deadlines and current guidance directly with the governing authority: