The pandemic is preventing Courtenay property owners from paying their taxes in person this year.
Mayor Bob Wells says staff are “carefully and methodically proceeding through Worksafe BC’s detailed COVID-19 guidelines for local government before our facility can reopen, prioritizing the safety of our staff and the public.”
“This means our usual in-person options for property tax payments and claiming home owner grants are not yet available,” Wells added.
Property tax notices were mailed on May 27th and 28th, and will be arriving in mailboxes in the coming days.
The City is asking property owners to review available options for property tax payment and homeowner grants, due to ongoing facility closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Payment options include online or telephone banking, in the mail slot at the City Hall front entrance, and by mail. E-Transfers are not accepted.
Detailed payment options and a link to the electronic Home Owner Grant are available on the City of Courtenay website.
Wells said the city has seen a steady increase in people using online options for property taxes and home owner grants over the past few years, and “we encourage all property owners to choose from one of these other available methods. “
“Taxpayers needing a little extra guidance on these options can call or email our helpful staff at City Hall and they will do their best to assist,” he added.
The City is working on a possible in-person payment option in the coming weeks for those who absolutely can’t pay online or by mail.
However, this option has not yet been established, and is not guaranteed to be in place prior to the property tax deadline on July 2nd.
Late payment penalties for Commercial properties (classes 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 ) are postponed to Oct. 1st through the province’s COVID-19 Action Plan.
Commercial property owners must pay by Sept. 30th to avoid penalty.
