Speculation and vacancy tax assessments

When we determine you owe an amount under the speculation and vacancy tax, we send you a notice detailing the amount owing and how to pay it. This may happen as a result of your declaration or from an audit. If you received a Notice of Assessment for the speculation and vacancy tax and believe an error was made you have several options to get help.

To avoid penalties and interest, you must pay the assessment by the due date. 

Collection actions may be taken if you do not pay your outstanding balance. 

On this page

1. Check and update your declaration
2. Apply for a tax credit
3. Contact us for help
4. Appeal to the minister
5. Reminders by text or phone

1. Check and update your declaration

If you have not declared yet, complete your declaration, even if it’s past the March 31 deadline. Completing the declaration may eliminate the assessment or reduce your tax rate. If you do not complete your declaration, you will have to pay tax at the maximum rate of 2 percent of your property's assessed value. 

If you have already declared, review your declaration to ensure you submitted the correct information. To review or correct your declaration, see Correct your declaration.

Note: All exemption claims made under the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act are subject to audit and compliance review by the ministry.

2. Apply for a tax credit

If you owe tax and you’re a member of a satellite family or you’re not a B.C. resident, see if you’re eligible for a tax credit. If you are, apply for the credit. This may further reduce or eliminate any tax owing. If you’re a B.C. resident and not a member of a satellite family, the tax credit amount would have been automatically applied on your Notice of Assessment.

3. Contact us for help

Call us if you’re unsure about why you were assessed the tax. We may be able to:

• Answer your questions
• Provide further information on any exemptions or tax credits that may be available to you
• Help resolve your concerns

If we are unable to resolve your concerns and you decide not to appeal your assessment, see pay your assessment.

Note: Contacting us does not start the appeal process or extend the deadline to file your appeal.

4. Appeal to the minister

If you have taken the above steps and believe that the tax was applied incorrectly in your circumstance, you may be able to appeal to the minister.

Find out how and when to appeal your assessment (strict deadlines apply).

Note: Tax is due on the first business day in July and filing an appeal to the minister does not extend the payment due date.

Pay your assessment

Find out how to pay your assessment.

A 10 percent late payment penalty, as well as interest, applies to any unpaid balance after the due date. 

To make payment arrangements for overdue balances, contact the Receivables Management Office at 1-866-566-3066 or RMBTaxpayerInquiries@gov.bc.ca.

Collection actions

If you do not pay your balance, collection actions may include:

• Notifying the Canada Revenue Agency to set aside money owing to you
• Registering a lien against your property or personal belongings
• Requiring your employer to deduct money from your pay cheque
• Issuing a demand notice to your bank, credit union or trust company to pay money from your account
• Seizing your personal belongings

5. Reminders by text or phone

We may contact you by text or phone if you:

• Have not declared, or
• Have an overdue balance and have not made payment arrangements

Our texts and calls will come from 346766 or 778-600-0723.

We will never ask you to send personal or financial information by text or email.