General Property Tax Information
The property taxes cover a period from January to December of that year.
Penalties
A 5% penalty will be added to any current outstanding taxes remaining unpaid after the due date. A further 5% penalty will be applied to the current outstanding taxes remaining unpaid after the 2nd Friday in September.
Penalties are also applicable to the Home Owner Grant portion of your taxes. Until the Home Owner Grant is claimed, that portion of the balance on your tax account is considered taxes outstanding.
Payments
Where to pay:
- At City Hall: by cash, cheque, debit card, or post-dated cheque. The City does not accept payment of taxes by credit card, including internet banking by credit card. Office hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. After hours, you may use our drop slots located on either side of the building.
- By Mail: Payments sent through the mail must be received at City Hall by the due date. Postmarks are not accepted. If you are mailing the payment to us or using the drop box, please ensure that you enclose the remittance stub.
- Most Financial Institutions: If paying on the due date, please check the bank stamp to ensure that it is stamped with the proper date. If using a bank machine, please make your payment at least 4 days before the due date and keep your receipt. When we receive your payment from the bank, it is dated up to 4 days after the date that you made the payment.
- Pay Electronically: You may pay electronically if you are a member of a financial instution that offers this service. If you have sold your property or changed location, contact your financial institution to update the electronic information; otherwise you may pay someone else's account. Note: should you choose this option, your application for the Home Owner Grant must be submitted to City Hall by the due date to avoid penalty.
If your taxes are paid by a mortgage company, bank, or other agent, please complete and sign the Home Owner Grant form, if you are eligible, and forward it to the City of Prince George by the due date. You can also claim your home owner grant online.
New Owner
New owners of a property who have not received a current property tax notice will be required to contact City Hall to receive a copy of the tax notice. If you are eligible to claim a Home Owner Grant, please provide a copy of the Land Title Form A document confirming the transfer of title to your name. Non-receipt of a tax notice is not recognized as a valid reason for failure to pay the taxes by the due date.
Tax Deferment
BC's Property Tax Deferment Program allows you to defer payment of annual property taxes on your home if you are:
- 55 years or older; or
- a surviving spouse; or
- a disabled person as defined in the Disability Benefits Program Act; and if you are:
- a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who has lived in British Columbia for at least one year immediately prior to applying for tax deferment benefits
Further information is available from Financial Services.