B.C. residents have to make sure their property taxes are paid up by July 4.
The Regional District of East Kootenay is reminding rural residents that the process of paying taxes is a little different than it is for those living in municipalities.
“The RDEK is not a taxing authority, so for all rural properties in the East Kootenay, your tax notices are sent from the Surveyor of Taxes in Victoria,” explained RDEK Chief Financial Officer Holly Ronnquist. “The Province collects the provincial-rural, school and regional district taxes and then sends the regional district its portion on behalf of the rural residents.”
RDEK officials said the regional district’s portion of rural property owners’ tax bill generally accounts for a third of the overall cost.
“The specific amount depends on how many local RDEK services the property owner receives, such as fire protection, water or sewer, which are only charged to the residents within the service area receiving that service,” said RDEK staff. “Those individual services will be listed separately on the tax notice. All RDEK rural property owners will see one line item on their tax notice for the general services, which include everything from 9-1-1 service and libraries to building inspection, solid waste and recycling.”
The RDEK will be able to answer questions relating to its portion of your tax bill.
“If people have questions about how much they are paying for a specific RDEK service, such as their water or recycling, we are happy to answer those questions; however, questions about the provincial services on their tax notice or their BC assessment should be directed to the Province,” said Ronnquist.
If you are a rural property owner and have questions about your property tax bill and homeowner grant, you can contact the Surveyor of Taxes at 1-888-355-2700.
Rural property owners have to pay their property taxes to the B.C. government instead of the RDEK.
“This can be done through any Service BC location or online. Claiming the homeowner grant should be done online, and directions are included in each tax notice or on the Provincial government’s website by searching ‘property taxes in rural areas,'” said RDEK officials.
Property owners within municipalities, such as Cranbrook, Fernie and Invermere, can pay their property taxes through their municipal office.