News release

For immediate release 

Saanich adjusts penalties for late property tax payments permanently

Saanich, BC – Saanich Council has endorsed an ongoing plan to lessen the impact of late payment penalties on property taxes for all Saanich property owners.

The alternative tax scheme approved by Council on April 26 implements a staggered implementation of the usual one time 10 per cent penalty. It also provides relief where an error has been made in claiming the homeowner grant or an eligible grant is not claimed by the deadline.

“We recognize that a one-time penalty of 10 per cent is significant and is likely a bigger disincentive than needed to get taxpayers to pay on time,” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “We hope this adjustment alleviates some of the financial stress for those having difficulty paying their full taxes on time or when an honest mistake is made paying late or claiming the home owner grant.”

Late penalties

The alternative tax scheme 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, pay late by mistake or forget to claim their home owner grant through the province on time.  

The penalties are the same for all property assessment classes:

• Penalty on taxes not received by July 2 – 5 per cent applied July 3
• Additional penalty on taxes not received by September 1 – 5 per cent applied September 2

More detailed information about the adjusted late penalties is available in the report to Council at saanich.ca/agendas.

If you have questions about 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