Taxes & Budgets
The establishment of budgets and property taxes is a process that begins at the end of each year. Council establishes a five year financial plan each year. From this plan, Council determines the property taxes it must collect to meet the expenditure established in the five year financial plan.
Budgets
The municipal budget is finalized each May in Council’s five year financial plan bylaw. However, the development of this plan begins months before. Council usually hosts a budget open house in March or April of each year to present the draft budget to the community.
- Financial Plan 2024 to 2028 Bylaw, No. 700
- 2024-2028 Five Year Financial Plan
- 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements
- 2023 Statement of Financial Information
Property Taxes
Property tax rates are finalized each May in Council’s tax rates bylaw. Property tax notices are then mailed to property owners in early June.
Taxes are usually due the first business day after the July 1st Canada Day holiday, but check your tax notice to be sure as a 5% penalty is added to any unpaid taxes after that date. A further 5% penalty is added to any unpaid taxes after the date specified in early August.
If you are requesting a Tax Information Certificate on your property, please contact the District of Metchosin directly at 250-474-3167.
PLEASE NOTE: There may be Property Service Fees associated with this type of request in accordance with the District's Fees Bylaw 2008, No. 547.
Please contact BC Assessment for more information on property assessment and farm status.
Toll Free Number: 1-866-825-8322
Fax: 1-855-995-6209
Online Contact Form: https://www.bcassessment.ca/property/contact
BC Assessment’s website (including assessment search and comparison tool): http://www.bcassessment.ca/
BC Assessment’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BCAssessmentVideos
Farm Status Information From BC Assessment
Home Owner Grant
The Province is responsible for the Home Owner Grant Program. All home owners will have to apply directly to the Province online or over the phone. The District of Metchosin will no longer accept retroactive or new applications for the grant and instead will direct homeowners to www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or phone 1-888-355-2700 to speak with a live agent.
For more information, please see your tax notice or the BC property Taxation Branch, Ministry of Finance website.
Property Tax Deferment and Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program
Property Tax Deferment & Families with Children Property Tax Deferment are property tax assistance programs which allow qualifying owners to have the province pay their property taxes on their behalf, by creating a charge against their title.
- The B.C. government is making it easier to apply for the property tax deferment program.
- B.C. residential property owners can now apply for property tax deferment on their principal residence online, quickly and easily. And for the first time, owners can choose to auto renew their application.
- Municipalities will no longer be responsible for accepting applications.
Look for more information online at: www.gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment
Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan
This optional service allows you to pay next year’s taxes by automatic monthly deductions from your bank account.
Online Filing - Change of Mailing Address on Title for BC Property Owners
The Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) recently launched a new online way for BC property owners to update the mailing address on title.
The address on title is where information about a property may be sent, such as assessment, property tax, and speculation tax notices. Property owners are encouraged to ensure it is an address where they can receive mail. It does not have to be the address of the property.
BC property owners can update the mailing address on a land title the following ways:
- Online using the BC Services Card app
- Mail or deliver an application in person or by appointment at a Land Title Office
To learn more or start an application, visit the Land Title and Survey Authority at www.ltsa.ca/ChangeMailingAddress
Update your Mailing Address with BC Assessment
To ensure that you receive your Property Tax Notice, your mailing address needs to be up to date. The District receives its mailing address information from LTSA and then directly from BC Assessment. If your mailing address has changed, please complete a Change of Address Notification.pdf (bcassessment.ca) with BC Assessment.