Property taxes

Shelley Robinson, a homeowner of waterfront property in Honeymoon Bay, holds a notice from the property assessment review panel upholding BC Assessment's valuation of the property at $2.3 million, despite the fact that the home and property are in a dilapidated state. (Jason Anson photo)

Fixed-income B.C. senior ‘bullied’ by $12,000 tax bill for waterlogged home

Frustrations continue with mounting BC Assessment as regulation deters upgrade of decaying property

 

The fight goes on as dozens of property owners in the Cowichan Lake area, particularly waterfront properties in Youbou, go through a log and arduous appeal process of their assessments with BC Assessment. (Gazette file photo)

Dozens of Youbou property owners still in limbo with assessment appeals

Information and Privacy Commission denies request for information from BC Assessment

 

B.C. Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie has been encouraging seniors to consider using the deferral program, saying it can provide “meaningful cost relief.” (Trevor Crawley/Black Press)

B.C. seniors advocate urges those eligible to defer 2023 property taxes

The province is encouraging residents 55+ to use its deferral program amid rising living costs

 

Warm summer weather typically brings out crowds to Aldergrove’s Twilight Drive-In, which announced they’re closing in fall 2024. (Aldergrove Star files)

Lower Mainland’s Twilight Drive-In announces it will close

1 of B.C.’s last outdoor theatres will shutter at end of 2024 summer season, due to property taxes

Warm summer weather typically brings out crowds to Aldergrove’s Twilight Drive-In, which announced they’re closing in fall 2024. (Aldergrove Star files)
Office towers, condos and apartment buildings are seen in downtown and the west end of Vancouver, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. British Columbia is expanding the tax it created to clamp down on real estate speculation and ensure homes in rental-strapped communities don’t sit empty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. extends reach of property tax aimed at turning empty houses into rental homes

Finance Ministry says speculation tax now includes the North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish

Office towers, condos and apartment buildings are seen in downtown and the west end of Vancouver, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. British Columbia is expanding the tax it created to clamp down on real estate speculation and ensure homes in rental-strapped communities don’t sit empty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. (Black Press Media file photo)

Opinion: Langford laughably downplayed huge tax hike by citing 66 cents per day

Just own this proposed 11.94% tax increase

Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. (Black Press Media file photo)
Property owners in the Cowichan Valley Regional District will see an average tax increase of 11.49 per cent in 2023. (Citizen file photo)

CVRD property owners will see an average 11.49% tax increase in 2023

Recreation costs a significant part of increase

Property owners in the Cowichan Valley Regional District will see an average tax increase of 11.49 per cent in 2023. (Citizen file photo)
Campbell River City Hall. Campbell River Mirror photo

Campbell River city council settles on a 9.97 per cent tax increase for 2023

‘Out-of-parameter’ increase triple the 2022 rate

Campbell River City Hall. Campbell River Mirror photo
Floyd Augustine, a waterfront property owner in Youbou, is among dozens that are appealing their properties’ value that was assessed by BC Assessment this year. (Citizen photo)

Assessment shock: Island property bought for $4,000 assessed at $2.1 million

Youbou land owner stunned to see tax assessment jump by $500,000 in one year

Floyd Augustine, a waterfront property owner in Youbou, is among dozens that are appealing their properties’ value that was assessed by BC Assessment this year. (Citizen photo)
Policing, specifically the cost thereof, is one of the drivers in the Central Saanich’s draft budget for 2023. It plans to increase revenue from property tax by 4.95 per cent. (Central Saanich Police/Submitted)

Central Saanich eyes tax hike as policing, labour drive up costs

Proposed budget of $38.5 million plans to raise revenue from property taxes by 4.95 per cent

Policing, specifically the cost thereof, is one of the drivers in the Central Saanich’s draft budget for 2023. It plans to increase revenue from property tax by 4.95 per cent. (Central Saanich Police/Submitted)
Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.The British Columbia government is boosting the homeowner grant threshold to $2.125 million for this year as average property values increase by 12 per cent.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. government increases homeowner grant limit as home values rise by 12 per cent

Highest valued home in the province is a $74 million Vancouver waterfront compound

Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022.The British Columbia government is boosting the homeowner grant threshold to $2.125 million for this year as average property values increase by 12 per cent.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Still from Chilliwack Realtor Kevin Schroeder’s January 2022 Instagram video where he explains how BC Assessment increases in property value have no impact on property taxes. (Instagram @kevinschroederrealtor)

OPINION: B.C. Realtor’s explanation how property assessment increases do not affect taxes

Because it’s important, a 2nd look at Kevin Schroeder’s Instagram video on how property taxes work

Still from Chilliwack Realtor Kevin Schroeder’s January 2022 Instagram video where he explains how BC Assessment increases in property value have no impact on property taxes. (Instagram @kevinschroederrealtor)
Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen after a snowstorm, in Vancouver on November 30, 2022. British Columbia’s property assessment agency is warning homeowners that figures released next month will likely be higher than the current market value.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. property assessments higher, but market has changed: assessor

Homeowners warned they are about to receive assessments that won’t reflect current values

Snow-covered houses and the downtown skyline are seen after a snowstorm, in Vancouver on November 30, 2022. British Columbia’s property assessment agency is warning homeowners that figures released next month will likely be higher than the current market value.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Rather than asking staff to research options for a voluntary reconciliation fund similar to that of Victoria, Saanich council voted to defer discussions to the district’s next meeting with the WSANEC Leadership Council. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich to consult First Nations before establishing public reconciliation fund

Coun. Ned Taylor looks to get ball rolling on idea similar to City of Victoria program

Rather than asking staff to research options for a voluntary reconciliation fund similar to that of Victoria, Saanich council voted to defer discussions to the district’s next meeting with the WSANEC Leadership Council. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria has adopted its 2022 tax rates. (Back Press Media file photo)

City of Victoria cements 3.89 tax increase for 2022

Average residential property to pay $105 more this year

Victoria has adopted its 2022 tax rates. (Back Press Media file photo)
The City of Victoria is expected to amend its tax rates in 2022 to lessen the burden on industrial properties. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s proposed tax-rate change to benefit handful of industrial sites

City looking at 3.89-per-cent increase for every property class

The City of Victoria is expected to amend its tax rates in 2022 to lessen the burden on industrial properties. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney council narrowly approved a recommendation to further close the gap between commercial and residential property tax rates at Monday’s meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney homeowners to pay more; gap between residential, commercial tax rates to shrink

Gap between commercial and residential tax rates to shrink over next decade

Sidney council narrowly approved a recommendation to further close the gap between commercial and residential property tax rates at Monday’s meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Township of Esquimalt launched an online payment platform that allows residents to easily make payments and keep track of important documents all in one place. (Black Press Media file photo)

Esquimalt launches new online payment platform for residents

Program allows renewal of business, dog licences; property tax payment added soon

The Township of Esquimalt launched an online payment platform that allows residents to easily make payments and keep track of important documents all in one place. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria council, meeting as committee of the whole, will consider a motion on a voluntary reconciliation tax. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C’s capital considering voluntary Indigenous reconciliation tax for property owners

Under Victoria proposal, city taxpayers would have option to add contribution to area First Nations

Victoria council, meeting as committee of the whole, will consider a motion on a voluntary reconciliation tax. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria council, meeting as committee of the whole, will consider a motion on a voluntary reconciliation tax. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria considering voluntary reconciliation tax for property owners

Motion headed to committee of the whole March 24

Victoria council, meeting as committee of the whole, will consider a motion on a voluntary reconciliation tax. (Black Press Media file photo)