Special Notice
Prince George City Council has approved a 3.18 per cent tax increase for 2017 that maintains City operations and existing service levels. Council is prioritising investments in the City's infrastructure and has identified a number of capital projects:
- The replacement of the Four Seasons Leisure Pool and Fire Hall #1 downtown. These projects were approved by voters in the October 28, 2017 Referendum.
- A new entrance to the Bob Harkins Branch (the main branch in Canada Games Plaza) of the
Prince George Public Library. Construction is expected to begin next year.
- Allocating $2 million from the road rehabilitation budget to sidewalks and additional capital projects in Parks.
In addition to capital investments, Council is maintaining a $7 million budget for snow and ice control.
General Property Tax Information
Property taxes are always due on the first Friday in July unless July 1 falls on a Friday, in which case taxes will be due the following Friday.
Payment Options & Penalties
Taxes may be paid in the following ways:
- Cheque, cash, debit card at City Hall, in person or use drop slots located at both City Hall entrances.
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Credit cards are not accepted for payment of property taxes.
- Payments sent by mail must be received at City Hall by the due date, postmarked by the due date is not accepted as on time.
- At a financial institution offering the service.
- Online/telephone banking, allow 2-3 business days processing time to ensure payment is made on time (make sure to include property tax folio number when paying online).
New property owners who have not received a current property tax notice will be required to contact City Hall to receive a copy of the tax notice. Non-receipt of a tax notice is not recognized as a valid reason for failure to pay the taxes by the due date.
Penalties
A five (5) per cent penalty will be added to any current outstanding taxes remaining unpaid after the due date. A further five (5) per cent penalty will be applied to the current outstanding taxes remaining unpaid after the second Friday in September.
Penalties are also applicable to the Home Owner Grant portion of taxes. Until the Home Owner Grant is claimed, that portion of the balance on the tax account is considered taxes outstanding.
These penalties are a requirement of the
Community Charter and the City has no authority to either waive or modify the penalty amounts.
Tax Rates, Deferment, and Exemptions
Tax Rates
Tax Deferment
Tax deferment is a low interest loan program administrated by the Government of B.C. that helps qualified B.C. homeowners pay their annual property taxes on their principal residence.
Learn more about the B.C. tax deferment program
Tax Exemptions
Permissive tax exemption is available for qualifying, registered non-profit organizations using property for municipal, recreational, religious, cultural or charitable purposes.
2019 Permissive Tax Exemption application forms will be available soon.
Tax Sale
The City is required by the Local Government Act on the last Monday of September to sell at tax sale all properties where taxes have not been paid in three years. The Local Government Act gives the Collector authority to sell a property for the "Upset Price" which equals all outstanding taxes + penalties + interest + five (5) per cent tax sale costs + Land Title Office fees.
All property sales are "as is" without warrant or guarantee by the City of Prince George.
For complete information, prospective purchasers should consult the Local Government Act, in particular (but not limited to) Sections 403 to 428.
Home Owner Grant
The Provincial Home Owner Grant program helps reduce the amount of residential property taxes home owners pay on their primary residences. Awarded grants may be higher for qualifying seniors, veterans, or persons with a disability. Home owners may apply for the grant on their own or give permission to have somebody apply for them. However, if property taxes are paid through a financial institution, that institution will not apply for a grant on the home owner's behalf.
A grant application may be submitted after receiving a property tax notice. Home owners who qualified for the grant the previous year but did not apply may be eligible to claim the grant retroactively for up to one year. The grant must be applied for every year to receive it.