Rural property owners will soon receive their property tax notices in the mail.
Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) officials said the tax notices will come from the B.C. government, not the regional government.
“The RDEK is not a taxing authority, so for all rural properties in the East Kootenay, your tax notices are sent from the Surveyor of Taxes in Victoria,” said RDEK Chief Financial Officer Holly Ronnquist.
“The Province collects the provincial-rural, school and regional district taxes and then sends the regional district its portion on behalf of the rural residents.”
If you own a rural property, you will find the RDEK’s portion of your tax bill in the local services section of your notice.
Officials said the specific amount will depend on how many RDEK services a property owner receives, such as fire protection, water or sewer.
Meaning that you will only pay for the services which are provided to your property.
“All RDEK rural property owners will see one line item on their tax notice for the general services, which include everything from 9-1-1 service and libraries to building inspection, solid waste and recycling,” said RDEK officials.
When it’s time to pay your property taxes, rural owners will have to pay their amounts to the B.C. government, while people living within municipal boundaries pay their bills to their local government.
You can also get some relief from your property taxes by applying for the BC Homeowners Grant, which can be done on the B.C. government website, by calling 1-888-355-2700 or in person at a Service BC office.
Rural property tax notices should be mailed out by Friday, with payments due by Tuesday, July 2.
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