News release 

For immediate release 

Saanich adjusts property tax payment methods and late penalties

Saanich, BC – Saanich Council has endorsed a plan to lessen the impact of late payment penalties on property taxes for both residential and business property owners.

While the deadline for payment of taxes and annual homeowner grant applications remains as July 2, 2020, the Alternative Tax Scheme approved by Council on April 27 includes a delayed and staggered implementation of the usual one time 10% penalty. The bylaw required to enact the plan will be come to Council in early May.

“We recognize some residents have experienced financial impacts related to COVID-19 and we’re trying to be as flexible as we can to alleviate some of the financial stress while maintaining our essential services,” said Mayor Fred Haynes.

Late penalties

The alternative tax scheme postpones and lessens the impact of late payment penalties on unpaid property taxes to provide some financial relief to those Saanich taxpayers who are experiencing significant financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taxpayers who are not facing these challenges are strongly encouraged to pay by the July 2 due date to ensure the continuous provision of essential services.

The penalties are based on your property assessment class:

Assessment classes 1, 2, 3, 9 which includes most residential and farm properties:

• Penalty on taxes not received by July 31 – 3% applied August 1, 2020
• Additional penalty on taxes not received by September 30 – 7% applied October 1, 2020

Assessment class 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 which includes most business, industrial and recreational properties:

• Penalty on taxes not received by September 30 - 7% applied October 1, 2020
• Additional penalty on taxes not received by November 30 – 3% applied December 1, 2020

More detailed information about the assessment classes and adjusted late penalties is available in the report to Council.

Payment methods

The Municipal Hall remains closed to the public, so in person payments by cash, cheque or debit will not be permitted this year. There are several other payment methods available:

• Online banking: Pay through your financial institution’s online banking system. Check their local cut-off time to ensure payment is received by the due date.
• By mail: Mail your cheque and the bottom portion of your tax notice to 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria, BC V8X 2W7. Payment must be received by July 31 to avoid penalty.
• Through your mortgage company: Contact your financial institution to set this up.
• Through your financial institution: Contact your financial institution for their rules for paying bills in person.
• Drop box: There’s a secure slot at the entrance of the Municipal Hall near the parking lot. The slot is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please practice safe physical distancing when using the drop box.
• Drive through drop off: A secure drive through drop off will be available at the parking lot entrance to the Municipal Hall at anticipated peak times. More details to follow soon.

If you usually come to the Municipal Hall to pay your taxes in person, you are encouraged to make arrangements for an alternate payment method well in advance of the due date to avoid unanticipated problems with paying on time.

Learn more

Information about how and where residents can pay their property taxes will be mailed with the property tax notices by the end of May. More information is also available at saanich.ca/tax.

If you have questions about payment methods or late penalties, please contact Saanich’s Property Tax Section at 250-475-5454 or propertytax@saanich.ca. Staff will be on hand to assist you.

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Media contact:
Valla Tinney
Director of Finance
250-475-5521
valla.tinney@saanich.ca