Defer paying your taxes

There are two deferment programs available, depending on your personal situation: a regular program, and a program for families with children.

1. Regular tax deferment program

This program could be for you if you are:

• a registered owner of the property and are 55 or older
• a surviving spouse of any age
• a person with disabilities

Get qualification requirements

2. Families with children tax deferment program

This program could be for you if you:

• are a registered owner of the property
• have a minimum equity of 15% of the property's assessed value
• are financially supporting a child under 18 or a child at any age attending an educational institution

Get qualification requirements

Did you know that if your application to defer your taxes is rejected by the Province, you will be assessed a penalty of up to 10% of the amount deferred?

Make sure you understand all of the requirements before you submit your application, to avoid paying an unnecessary penalty.

Equity requirements

The registered value of your mortgage, line of credit, or other registered charges plus your current year taxes cannot exceed:

• 75% of your home's assessed value (Regular program)
• 85% of your home's assessed value (Families with Children program)

Check with your financial institution

Before you apply for deferment, please check with your financial institution to confirm:

• The registered value of your mortgage or line of credit, as it is often higher than the amount you owe
• Whether they will allow the Province to register a lien after their charge, as not all financial institutions do

Penalties may also apply in these circumstances

• If you sell your home, subdivide, refinance, or change owners before your deferment is approved, it may be canceled and penalties may apply
• If you cancel or withdraw your application for any reason after the property tax due date
• If you are found ineligible for the program after the property tax due date 

Before you apply

Before applying for tax deferment on the Province of BC website, make sure you:

• receive your property tax notice (issued annually in May)
• pay your utility charges 
• pay any outstanding taxes from prior years
• claim your home owner grant (if applicable)
• confirm you are eligible for property tax deferment 

How to apply

Once you have completed the requirements and confirmed you are eligible to defer your taxes, you can apply online with the Province of BC. Look for the option to auto-renew.

To apply, you will need your 12 digit roll number. You can find your roll number on your BC assessment notice, or look it up on the BC Assessment website. 

Don't wish to apply online? You can request a paper application form by calling 1-250-387-0555 (or 1-888-355-2700). You must submit your paper application directly to the Province of BC at the address indicated on the form. 

If you are already enrolled in the tax deferment program and you wish to continue to defer your property taxes, before the tax due date, you must:

• claim your home owner grant (if eligible)
• pay your utility charges
• submit your application online with the Province of BC (if you opt to auto-renew, this step is not required in future years)

You must submit your application directly to the Ministry of Finance by the tax due date to avoid penalties of up to 10% of your current year's taxes.

To apply, you will need your 12 digit roll number. You can find your roll number on your BC assessment notice, or look it up on the BC Assessment website.