Prior year updates to property taxes

Home owner grant

June 28, 2023

The home owner grant web pages have been refreshed to improve usability. 

Note: There have been no changes to legislation or to home owner grant eligibility and processes. 

February 28, 2023

The provincial government announced its 2023 Budget on February 28, 2023. Programs administered by the Property Taxation Branch are amended as a result. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

January 3, 2023

The home owner grant threshold for 2023 is increased to $2.125 million. This new threshold ensures the same percentage of British Columbia homes are below the threshold compared to 2022.

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Property tax deferment

October 1, 2023

Property tax deferment interest rates have been updated.

May 2, 2023

Property tax deferment applications are now open. For more information, see Apply for or renew a property tax deferment program application.

April 28, 2023

The property tax tax deferment program web pages have been updated to provide more content to assist home owners in program criteria, interest rates and what to expect when applying. See Apply for or renew a property tax deferment program application for more information.

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Property transfer tax

November 27, 2023

The Property transfer tax exemptions page has been updated to provide information on the purpose-built rental exemption that is effective January 1, 2024.

July 17, 2023

The Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, Nisga’a Final Agreement and Tla’amin Final Agreement are amended to reinstate or continue the exemptions from property transfer tax. See Property transfer tax exemptions for First Nations for information about who is eligible for these exemptions and the effective date for each Treaty Nation. 

May 19, 2023

Refunds for the additional property transfer tax has been updated to clarify how the effective start date for permanent residency status of transferees is determined. In addition, information about acceptable documents for determining permanent residency status has been updated.

May 5, 2023

Bulletin PTT 003, Property Transfer Tax Exemptions (PDF, 240KB), has been revised to reflect that a property transfer tax return is no longer required to be filed at the land title office when forfeited land is transferred back to the original owner under the Taxation (Rural Area) Act.

March 28, 2023

Effective March 27, 2023, the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement is amended to reinstate tax exemptions for eligible Tsawwassen Members and other First Nations individuals for property transfer taxes on Tsawwassen Lands that are former reserve lands. See Property transfer tax exemptions for First Nations for more information.

February 28, 2023

The provincial government announced its 2023 Budget on February 28, 2023. Programs administered by the Property Taxation Branch are amended as a result. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

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General property tax information

July 17, 2023

The web pages related to property taxes in rural areas have been refreshed to improve usability. 

Note: There have been no changes to legislation.

November 7, 2022

A new version (Version 35) of the Property Transfer Tax web-based return was introduced. See the updated Tax Return Guide and Information for legal professionals for more information.

The consent and privacy statements on the following Property Transfer Tax forms have been updated to provide consistency across all forms.

• FIN 265 - First Time Home Buyers' Application for Refund
• FIN 272 - Newly Built Home Application for Refund
• FIN 537 - Declaration of Trustee
• FIN 544 - Surviving Joint Tenant Manual Property Transfer Tax Return
• FIN 274 - Additional Property Transfer Tax Application For Refund

October 24, 2022

The release of the new version (Version 35) of the Property Transfer Tax web-based return has been deferred until November 7, 2022. See the updated Information for legal professionals for more information. 

October 11, 2022

The release of the new version (Version 35) of the Property Transfer Tax web-based return has been deferred until October 24, 2022.  See the updated Information for legal professionals for more information.

October 6, 2022

Bulletin GEN 002, Appeals (PDF, 160KB) and the Can you appeal? page have been revised to update the appeal deadline information for property transfer tax, as a result of Budget 2022.

September 14, 2022

The Property transfer tax return guide has been updated to clarify differences between information required from directors and corporate interest holders

August 23, 2022

A new version (Version 35) of the Property Transfer Tax web-based return will be introduced on October 17, 2022.  See the updated Information for legal professionals for more information.

August 8, 2022

Application requirements for the low income home owner grant supplement and veterans supplement have been simplified. You no longer need to provide additional documentation up front with your application. Learn more about the low income grant supplement for:

• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Surviving spouses of veterans who received war veterans allowance
• Veterans under 65

May 27, 2022

When applying for a multiple home owner grant, the eligible occupants spreadsheet is now available online to upload to eTaxBC.

May 26, 2022

Information about the home owner grant for people with disabilities has been revised for clarity. 

April 6, 2022

Payment options for rural property taxes have been updated to indicate that Interac e-transfers and credit cards are not accepted.  

April 5, 2022

Instructions have been added for filling out the authorization or cancellation of a representative form (FIN 146) for annual property tax. These instructions are for the purpose of rural property tax, home owner grant and property tax deferment. 

February 22, 2022

The provincial government announced its 2022 Budget on February 22, 2022. As a result, amendments to property taxes were made. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

November 5, 2021

Information has been added about how to change your home owner grant application after you've applied. 

May 17, 2021

Applications for the 2021 home owner grant are now being processed. Claim your 2021 grant as soon as you receive your property tax notice.

The fastest and easiest way to apply is online.

You can also apply by phone with help from an agent Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (excluding statutory holidays), or anytime using our automated self-serve phone application system if you are applying for the regular grant or senior grant.

Learn more at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant

May 3, 2021

Applications for the property tax deferment program are now available online. Municipalities no longer accept applications for property tax deferment.

Learn more about the online property tax deferment application process at gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment

Reminder: If applicable, you must apply for your home owner grant separately from your property tax deferment application. Effective 2021, applications for the home owner grant are made directly to the province online at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant

April 20, 2021

The provincial government announced its 2021 Budget on April 20, 2021. As a result, amendments to the property transfer tax were made. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

February 16, 2021

Retroactive home owner grant applications for 2020 are now being accepted online. Learn more about applying for a retroactive grant and about other information updates at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant

December 31, 2020

The home owner grant application process has changed.

Effective 2021, residents in municipalities no longer apply for the home owner grant through their municipal office. Everyone will now apply directly to the province using a new online system that’s easy to use and will process applications faster.

The system will be available in early 2021. Visit gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant for more information.

December 14, 2020

Effective December 14, 2020, legal professionals must submit property transfer tax returns using the new web-based return. Go to Information for legal professionals on filing a property transfer tax return for more information.

The Guide to the First Time Home Buyers' Program (PDF) has been updated to reflect the new web-based property transfer tax return.

An updated Property Transfer Tax Return Guide is also available.

Surviving Joint Tenant Manual Property Transfer Tax Return (FIN 544) (PDF) is now available for individuals who choose not to use a legal professional when they transfer an interest from another joint tenant who is deceased.

May 19, 2020

Property taxes are due July 2, 2020. Find out how to pay online and learn important information about rural property taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 14, 2020

Applications for the property tax deferment program are now submitted online through eTaxBC. Your municipality will no longer accept paper applications. Learn more about the online application process at gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment. Program details and eligibility requirements have not changed.

March 23, 2020

Effective immediately, the B.C. government has introduced tax changes to assist in the response to COVID-19. Learn more at COVID-19 action plan - provincial tax changes.

March 9, 2020

The B.C. Taxpayer Fairness and Service Code is now available online.

February 18, 2020

The provincial government announced its 2020 Budget on February 18, 2020. Programs administered by the Property Taxation Branch are amended as a result. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

May 31, 2019

Information on school tax, the additional school tax rate, and school tax exemptions and credits has been revised for clarity.

March 5, 2019

Bulletin GEN 002, Appeals, has been updated with information on speculation and vacancy tax appeals.

October 16, 2018

New information is available about the proposed speculation and vacancy tax. Stay informed by subscribing to the new Speculation and Vacancy Tax What's new page.

September 17, 2018

The Property Transfer Tax Return has been revised (v.31) and is now available in the following two formats:

• An electronic version (FIN 530) available for legal professionals when they e-file through the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC
• A manual return (FIN 579) available on our website

An updated Property Transfer Tax Return Guide is available to help you complete both versions of the return.

September 7, 2018

Version 31 of the Property Transfer Tax Return is now available on the Land title and survey authority of BC website for early review. This new version goes into effect on September 17, 2018 and cannot be e-filed until that time. Learn more about Filing property transfer tax for legal professionals.

July 25, 2018

The Property Transfer Tax Act now includes the Information Collection Regulation.

Effective September 17, 2018, individuals with a significant interest in a corporation or trust that acquires property may need to be identified on the property transfer tax return.

May 17, 2018

The 2018 Property Tax Deferment applications and guides are now available on our website.  Use our eligibility calculators to find out if you're eligible to apply for one of our tax deferment programs.  The calculator will guide you to the application form.

• FIN 28, Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement
• FIN 28 Guide, Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement Guide
• FIN 51, Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement
• FIN 51 Guide, Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement Guide

April 9, 2018

Bulletin PTT 021, Advance Tax Rulings, has been rewritten and replaces the previous version dated January 2000. In addition, a new email address is included for requesting or inquiring about property transfer tax rulings.

March 26, 2018

The B.C. Government provided implementation details about the Speculation Tax. Read the news release to learn more.

February 22, 2018

In Budget 2018, the B.C. government announced that it would be introducing legislation to impose an annual speculation tax. The majority of B.C. homeowners will be exempt from this tax. Find out more about the speculation and vacancy tax.

February 20, 2018

The provincial government announced its 2018 Budget today. Programs administered by the Property Taxation Branch are amended as a result. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

January 11, 2018

The homeowner grant threshold has been increased to $1.65 million. This new threshold ensures the same percentage of British Columbia homes are below the threshold compared to 2017.

The following Home Owner Grant forms have been updated:

• FIN 65, Application for Home Owner Grant Low Income Grant Supplement
• FIN 91, Home Owner Grant Partitioning of Assessed Value Calculation

December 5, 2017

The Property Transfer Tax Return has been revised and is now available in the following two formats:

• An electronic version (FIN 530) available for legal professionals when they e-file through the Land title and survey authority of BC
• A manual return (FIN 579) available on our website. Note: The manual return (FIN 579) replaces the General, Special and First Time Home Buyers returns.

A new Property Transfer Tax Return Guide is available to help you complete both versions of the return.

Our bulletins have been revised, as required, to remove references to the previous paper property transfer tax returns.

We also have a new online service you can use to send us your refund application electronically. Our refund application forms have been updated to include this new option.

November 2, 2017

Bulletin PTT 016, Municipal Tax Sales, has been revised to:

• Provide important information about what information to provide after the title transfer is registered at the land title office.

September 19, 2017

FIN 274, Additional Property Transfer Tax Application for Refund, has been updated and now includes a new field: Parcel Identifier (PID) or Title Number (of the property). Also, a new question has been added for each purchaser: Were you a BC provincial nominee at the time of registration?

March 23, 2017

FIN 47, Request for Rural Property Tax Information, has been updated as there is no longer a fee for a rural property tax search, current or historical.

March 17, 2017

The following changes have been introduced for the additional property transfer tax:

Exemption

• Foreign national individuals who have received confirmation under the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program may be eligible for an exemption from paying the additional property transfer tax

Refund

• Foreign national individuals who were confirmed as a B.C. Provincial Nominee between August 2, 2016 – March 17, 2017 and paid the additional property transfer tax may be eligible for a refund
• Foreign national individuals who become a permanent resident of Canada or Canadian citizen within one year of the date the property transfer tax is registered with the Land Title Office may be eligible for a refund of the additional transfer tax

Information sheets 2016-005 and 2016-006 have been retired and the information is now on our website.

February 21, 2017

The provincial government announced its 2017 Budget today. Programs administered by the Property Taxation Branch are amended as a result. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

November 29, 2016

A report for the period June 10 to October 31, 2016 has been released highlighting the property transfer tax transactions in British Columbia including residential properties in Metro Vancouver.

July 27, 2016

Information Sheet 2016-006, Additional Property Transfer Tax on Residential Property Transfers to Foreign Entities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, has been revised to clarify the identification requirements that must be collected and verified for Canadian citizens and permanent residents and how to verify the social insurance number when collected.

July 25, 2016

Additional property transfer tax introduced

The provincial government announced a new additional property transfer tax on purchases and transfers of residential properties made by foreign nationals and foreign corporations in the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

Read the details in Information Sheet 2016-006, Additional Property Transfer Tax on Residential Property Transfers to Foreign Entities in the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

June 23, 2016

Possible postal service disruption

If there is disruption to postal services, you are still responsible for filing your returns, claiming grants, applying for programs or refunds, and making payments on time.

Find out more.

May 17, 2016

The following 2016 Property Tax Deferment applications and guides are now available:

• FIN 28, Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement
• FIN 28 Guide, Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement Guide
• FIN 51, Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement
• FIN 51 Guide, Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement Guide

FIN 47, Request for Rural Property Tax Information, has been updated with new telephone numbers for the Canada Revenue Agency and the Property Taxation Branch. In addition, there is no longer a charge for a current rural property tax search (up to the previous four years).

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April 14, 2016

Information Sheet 2016-005, Collect and Report Citizenship Information on Property Transfer Tax Return is to inform the legal profession and conveyancers who file property transfer tax returns at the Land Title Office the details of what citizenship information they now need to collect in preparation for reporting requirements coming into effect early summer 2016.

March 17, 2016

Bulletin PTT 016, Municipal Tax Sales, has been completely rewritten and replaces the previous version dated January 2000.

March 1, 2016

Bulletin PTT 027, Improvements Straddling More Than One Parcel of Land has been revised to:

• Add definitions for fair market value, improvements and related individuals,
• Update the filing instructions, and
• Expand the improvement examples.

February 18, 2016

FIN 77, Home Owner Grant Eligibility Questionnaire, has been updated and is now easier to complete.

February 16, 2016

The provincial government announced its 2016 Budget today. Programs administered by the Property Taxation Branch are amended as a result. Learn more at B.C. Provincial budget tax changes.

February 4, 2016

Check out our updated home owner grant website at www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant 
This site was designed with you in mind and will make it easier for you to find the information you need.