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Property Taxes

Deadline for all property tax classes is July 4, 2023


Effective January 1, 2021 ALL Home Owner Grants must be processed by the Province.  You will no longer file your annual Home Owner Grant (HOG) with your municipality. Please go to www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or call 1 888 355 2700 for more information.


Property taxes are collected and used by the District of Clearwater as well as distributed to the provincial government, Thompson Nicola Regional District, Thompson Regional Hospital District, BC Assessment, and Municipal Finance Authority. A breakdown of your payment to these entities is on your property tax notice. The District of Clearwater portion is used to provide services such as road maintenance, fire and emergency services, transit services, bylaw enforcement, parks and recreation, cemetery, planning and development, economic development, and capital works.

Property Tax Payment Options


Pay your property taxes and apply for the Home Owner Grant before the first business day in July every year to avoid a penalty. Payments must be RECEIVED by the due date, not postmarked by the due date.

Internet or telephone banking

Search for “Clearwater” (taxes) as a payee and use your roll number found on your tax notice as the account number (tip: add zeros to the beginning of the number if your bank requires more digits). Payments are received by the District on the ‘Effective Date’ which is usually before 6 pm on the date the payment is made.  Please check with your financial institution to confirm the cut-off for the Effective Date.

Drop your payment in our drop box

Place your cheque in an envelope and deposit it in the drop box located at the exterior door several feet to the right of our main entrance. Payments via cheque or money order can be left in the drop box. Remember to write your tax roll number on your cheque.

By mail
  • Send a payment to the District of Clearwater
  • Write the roll number on your cheque and ensure that the cheque is payable to the District of Clearwater.
  • Post-dated cheques are accepted.
  • Mail lost or delayed by the post office will be assessed with a penalty if late, as the postmark will not be considered as the date of payment.
  • Mail in a post-dated cheque early to avoid penalties.
  • In the event of a postal disruption, please utilize alternative payment methods to ensure that payment is received by the due date.
In person at the District Office
  • Methods of payment accepted are:
    • cash
    • debit card
    • money order,
    • post-dated cheque payable to District of Clearwater
At your financial institution

Use your original current tax notice to make payment at your local financial institution as some will not accept reprints.

Please note: The District of Clearwater is not responsible for errors made by financial institutions. Follow up with your financial institution to find out more.

Your Mortgagor company pays your taxes
  • If it is your Mortgage company’s intent to pay your property tax, the Home Owner Grant application (if applicable) must still be completed and returned by the due date.
  • Please ensure that your mortgage provider is aware whether or not you are claiming the grant each year.
  • The District of Clearwater is not responsible for errors made by mortgage providers.

Claim your Homeowner Grant


The Provincial Home Owner Grant program helps to reduce the amount of residential property taxes that homeowners pay on their primary residence.

If you qualify for the Home Owner Grant (HOG), you must apply each year to receive it. Only one qualifying owner can claim a grant for a property each year.

Qualifications for the Home Owner Grant

For details on how to qualify for the Home Owner Grant, please visit the Home Owner Grant Section on the Province of BC’s website.

How to claim your Home Owner Grant

NEW AS OF 2021: The Province has centralized the administration of Home Owner Grant and property owners can submit a home owner grant application four ways:
1. Online at www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant
2. Phone (number will go live mid-May)
3. Interactive voice response (number will go live mid-May)
4. Service BC offices where available

Important: To avoid penalties, owners are required to apply annually for the home owner grant prior to the property tax due date. The home owner grant is a form of payment and is subject to the property tax due date. Submit the grant even if you are not making a payment at that time, or your mortgage company pays your property taxes on your behalf.

For further information
Contact the Province of British Columbia, Home Owner Grant Program by visiting the BC Home Owner Grant Program website for more information.

Properties outside the District of Clearwater


The District of Clearwater cannot provide property tax information or accept payment when your property is located outside of the District of Clearwater boundary.

You will receive your property tax notice from the Surveyor of Tax Office every June and you pay your property Taxes to the province. You can enroll online to pay your property taxes, claim your homeowners grant and update your address. Or follow the instructions on the back of your notice.

More information visit here, phone 1-888-355-2700 or email ruraltax@gov.bc.ca.

Property Tax Certificates


A Property Tax Certificate showing payment and outstanding amounts as well as current and past taxes can be requested from our office.

Home Owners: Please phone 250.674.2257 or email finance@docbc.ca for your free certificate.

Realtors/ Lawyers: Please request a Property Tax Certificate through LTSA or APIC.

Permissive Tax Exemption


Permissive Tax Exemption is available for qualifying, Clearwater-based, registered non-profit organizations using property for municipal, religious, cultural, educational or charitable purposes. More info here.

Property Tax Deferment


Once you receive your property tax notice, you may be able to apply to the Province of BC for a low interest loan to pay the current year property taxes on your principal residence. Visit the Province of British Columbia’s Tax Deferment website for more information or click here for info for families with dependent children or click here for the regular (over 55) tax deferment program.

Telephone: 250 387-0555
Alternate Telephone: 1 888 355-2700 (Toll-free in B.C.)
Email: TaxDeferment@gov.bc.ca

Retroactive Homeowner Grant


Starting in 2021, residents in municipalities no longer apply for the retroactive home owner grant through their municipal office. Everyone now applies directly to the province using a new easy to use online system allowing for faster processing. Please click here for more information.

Understanding Property Taxes


BC Assessment

BC Assessment is an independent, provincial crown corporation, accountable to the Government of BC. Their responsibility is to determine the market value of land and improvements and enter the values on the Assessment Roll. BC Assessment’s e-Value Assessments Comparison application allows you to view and compare current assessments. You cannot appeal your taxes, but you can appeal your assessment.

Contact BC Assessment at 1-866-825-8322 or visit their website.

Property Tax Rates
Local Services Taxes

Sewer Parcel: Sewer Parcel Tax Levy Bylaw No. 117
The annual charge for land / property owners within the District of Clearwater’s sewer system is $40 per year.

Water Parcel: Water Service Parcel Tax Levy Bylaw No. 116
The annual charge for land / property owners within the District of Clearwater’s water system is $100 per year.

Municipal Tax Rate
  • The municipal property tax rate is set by the District of Clearwater in correspondence to the tax year’s municipal budget
  • The revenue from these taxes is used for public services such as fire protection, street lighting, road and drainage maintenance, administration, as well as operating parks and recreational facilities.
  • To learn more about the Budget and where your property tax money is going, view the 5-Year Financial Plan.
Other Tax Rates

School Tax Rate, Police Tax, Regional District Tax Rate, Hospital Tax Rate are also included on your property tax bill. The District forwards these funds to the appropriate organization.

 

Tax Sale


More information about the Annual Tax Sale, Public Notice, Upset Price, Declared Purchaser & Payment and Redemption Period can be found on the here.