Glossary for Property Taxes
The information provided here is explanatory. Where there is a conflict between this information and the Act, the Act shall prevail.
Your adjusted net income is your net income, plus the net income of your shared income partner (if you have one), less any allowable deductions. |
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Administrator | For tax deferment purposes, an administrator is the person who is administering the estate of a deceased owner. |
A person described as a citizen under the Citizenship Act. This means a person who was:
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A warning that someone is claiming an interest in a parcel of land | |
A document filed at the Land Title Office, stating that a property is the subject of a court proceeding and that ownership of the property may change as a result. | |
Corporate Interest Holder |
An individual in relation to a relevant corporation, who:
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When the Court appoints a person to protect the interests of and make decisions on behalf of an adult who is deemed mentally incapable of managing his or her affairs, including decisions:
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A daily living activity, in relation to a person with disabilities, includes these activities in their principal residence:
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Eligible property |
For tax deferment purposes, an eligible property is used for residential purposes and is:
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When a property is transferred to the Crown because it was owned by:
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Executor/Executrix | For tax deferment purposes, the executor/executrix is the executor of the will of a deceased owner. |
The law recognizes this form of estate (ownership) in real estate as the highest form. The property owner is entitled to full enjoyment of the property, limited only by zoning laws, deed or subdivision restrictions or covenants. The duration of this ownership is not limited and can be passed along in a will to the owner's heirs. | |
When the ownership for a property is transferred to the Crown because rural property taxes haven't been paid. | |
A foreign corporation is a corporation that is one of the following:
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A person who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, including a stateless person. | |
A health professional is:
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Buildings or structures on a property, such as:
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The court may make an order prohibiting the owner of the property from dealing with that property. The injunction may be temporary or permanent. |
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For tax deferment purposes, “in trust” means the registered owner holds their interest as a trustee under a trust agreement. |
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A court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties in a court case. |
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A separate taxable parcel owned by a corporation exclusively for the benefit of its shareholders. Shareholders have a right to occupy a portion of the parcel and to own share(s) and other securities that have a value equivalent to the value of the portion in relation to the value of the parcel. | |
A small, detached house built on a single family lot, usually in the backyard and opening onto the back lane. | |
A contract where the owner allows another person to use and occupy their land for a specified period and in return for a specified rent. |
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An agreement for an individual to reside on a property for a specified period of time (usually until death) at which point the property reverts to a fee simple owner. |
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A homeowner is considered to live in B.C. if it's the province where they ordinarily reside. This doesn't include casual, intermittent or transitory visits to B.C. Living in B.C. usually means a homeowner will:
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You have a written separation agreement under which you have agreed to live apart or a court order recognizing your separation from your spouse. |
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A person registered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and entitled under the Health Professions Act to practice medicine and use the title “medical practitioner.” |
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Net income is the amount shown on line 236 on your income tax Notice of Assessment. |
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A person who leases land on a First Nations' reserve but isn't a member of a First Nations. |
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A property that isn't located in any of the following regional districts: |
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A person who is authorized by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia to practice nursing as a nurse practitioner and use the title “nurse practitioner.” |
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A document formalizing an agreement that a person is allowed to be given the chance to purchase the property within a specified period of time. |
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Someone who has acquired permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not yet a Canadian citizen |
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Under the home owner grant, a person with a disability is someone who has a severe mental or physical impairment that, in the opinion of a health professional, is likely to continue for at least 2 years. This impairment directly and significantly restricts the person’s ability to perform one or more daily living activities either continuously or periodically for extended periods. In order to perform daily living activities, the person with a disability requires:
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A principal residence is the usual place that a person makes their home. |
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Land and improvements such as buildings or structures. |
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A classification system used by BC Assessment to define the type and use of each property. There are nine property classifications: |
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Changes to the home that are necessary for the person with disabilities to:
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When a person terminates his or her right and claim to a property and transfers their interest to a recipient. |
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Under Home Owner Grant, an owner of real property is:
Under Property Tax Deferment, a registered owner is:
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It doesn't include a person who is a registered owner of a lease. |
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Under Home Owner Grant, a related individual or relative is:
For the home owner grant for people with disabilities, a relative also includes:
Under Property Transfer Tax, a related individual or relative includes:
Note: Child includes a step-child. |
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Relevant Trust |
An express trust OR a legal relationship created in another jurisdiction similar to a legal relationship created under an express trust. Relevant trusts do not include: charitable trusts, Public Guardian and Trustee trusts , bankruptcy trusts, mutual funds trusts, real estate investment trusts, SIFT or pooled registered pension trusts. |
Crown land specifically set aside for occupation by First Nations. |
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A facility, such as an assisted-living, intermediate-care or long-term-care facility, or a group, retirement or nursing home, that meets the following criteria:
Residents reside there primarily due to family circumstances, age, disability, illness, or frailty. |
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A self-contained unit that has cooking, sleeping, bathroom and living room facilities. |
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Restrictive lien |
For tax deferment purposes, a charge registered on title that prohibits changes to title except when certain conditions are met. |
Revest |
When the previous owner(s) of a property are restored on a property title. |
Right to Purchase |
An agreement for the sale of property where the buyer pays the purchase price over a period of time until full payment is made, at which point title is transferred to the buyer. |
A person that is/was your spouse during a specific tax year. |
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An interest charge that is always based on the amount loaned and does not compound. |
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Under Property Tax Deferment and Property Transfer Tax, a spouse is a person you are married to or living in a marriage-like relationship with for at least two years. Under Home Owner Grant, a spouse is a person you are married to or living in a marriage-like relationship with for at least two years. If you’re married but separated and living apart and you each want to claim the home owner grant for your principal residences, you’ll need a written agreement signed by both of you stating you have agreed to live apart or a court order recognizing your separation. |
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A woman or man who lost their spouse by death and who is not currently the spouse of another person. |
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The province, municipalities, improvement districts and agencies that are legally authorized to levy property taxes. Taxing authorities include:
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Taxable trustee |
A taxable trustee is a trustee that is a foreign national or foreign corporation holding title in trust for beneficiaries. The taxable trustee can also be a Canadian citizen holding title in trust for beneficiaries who are foreign nationals or foreign corporations. |
When an individual or business takes over an existing Crown land tenure from the current occupier before their tenure ends. |
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Utility user fees are charges for the use of utilities such as:
Utility user fees are usually billed separately from your annual property taxes. However, unpaid utility user fees may appear on your property tax notice as a separate charge. |
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Filing a waiver allows you to extend the assessment period of an audit to allow additional time for discussion and collection of information. |