Grants open to help British Columbians with property taxes

The B.C. government is rolling out its annual Home Owner Grant program to help people cover the costs of their property taxes.

The province states that homeowners in communities outside Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley or the Capital Regional districts will be eligible for a grants up to $770. British Columbians aged 65 or older or people with a disability or living with a relative who has a disability in those communities will be eligible for grants up to $1,045.

In those other areas, the Home Owner Grants could be as much as $570 or $845 for seniors or people with disabilities.

The province has set the grant threshold at $1.975-million. The grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value above the threshold.

It’s advised that people apply for the grant in may after they have received both their B.C. Assessment notice and their municipal property tax notice.

The province says this program could help reduce the taxes on 92 per cent of British Columbia’s properties.

People can apply for the grant through the government’s website. British Columbians with more complex needs and require assistance can call 1-800-663-7867 or visit a ServiceBC Centre.