Property tax notices are in mail: due on July 2
Property owners in Kelowna can expect to receive their 2020 tax notices in the mail next week. Those registered with a City Property Account have had access to their tax notice since May 15.
Property tax payments are due on Thursday, July 2.
City Hall will re-open with limits on the number of customers permitted in the building at any one time starting May 25. In the interest of health and safety, taxpayers should use other options available to pay property taxes and claim their home owner grant on time, instead of paying in person. Proof of receipt will not be provided for property tax payments made at City Hall cashiers and processing times will vary.
Unless taxpayers are experiencing a critical issue with their tax notice that cannot be resolved over the phone or through email, the payment should be made via the following:
- By cheque and using drop boxes at City Hall (front entrance or Doyle Ave parking lot exit)
- By mailing cheques to City Hall (post-dated cheques are accepted; note that postmark date is not considered as date of payment)
- Through online or telephone banking with your financial institution
- In person at your financial institution if it is open
- Third party credit card payment companies. Visit kelowna.ca/property tax for more information
There is a pamphlet included with the tax notice that explains how to complete this process online.
Residents can apply for the Home Owner Grant online at kelowna.ca/propertytax or through their City Property Account (formerly named Online Billing). Residents are encouraged to apply for the provincial Home Owner Grant to save money on their taxes: property owners are responsible for applying every year to obtain the tax reduction, as banks do not apply for their customers.
The BC Property Tax Deferment program is also available to those who qualify. Apply to the Province of BC for a low interest loan to pay the current year property taxes on your principal residence. Learn more about the property tax deferment program including eligibility at gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment.
The City’s Property Account platform allows property owners to access their City tax and utility accounts in one convenient location. In addition to viewing their tax notice online and applying for the Home Owner Grant, property owners can view historical bills, transaction history and opt-in to go paperless to receive next year’s 2021 tax notice by email. Owners with multiple properties can register all their City accounts to access them in one centralized location. Registration requires the folio number and access code provided on property tax notices.
Taxes are calculated on a property’s assessed value determined by BC Assessment in January every year. From the tax bill, 59 per cent is for municipal taxes. The City also collects taxes on behalf of other taxing authorities: The Province (29 per cent), the Regional District (9 per cent) and the Library (3 per cent).
In recognition of the financial challenges presented to many taxpayers as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis, City Council approved a cut to the provisional tax rate, reducing it to 2.05 percent from 4.15 percent. This means that the owner of a single detached home in Kelowna with an average $676,100 assessed value will pay $2,115 in City of Kelowna taxes this year, an increase of $3.54 per month.
Included with property tax notices is the City’s annual City Views newsletter. Residents can read about how their tax dollars are put to work along with investments in community safety, how we are addressing homelessness and housing affordability, plans as we set our sights on 2040, the Regional Economic Recovery Task Force and much more. Visit kelowna.ca/publications to read the newsletter online.
For more information about property taxes, payment options, applying for the home owner grant, deferment program options and to register for a City Property Account, visit kelowna.ca/propertytax, sign up for e-updates, email revenue@kelowna.ca or call 250-469-8757 (option 3).
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