Frequently Asked Questions

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Paying for Taxes and Utilities

• When are my property taxes and utilities due?

  Property taxes and utilities are due the first business day following Canada Day.

  
  *New for 2023: Property owners will receive two separate Property Tax and Utilities notices. 2023 Property Tax and Utilities Notices will be mailed individually to property owners near the end of May. 

   

• What does the utility bill include?

  Utility charges at the District of Squamish include sewer, water and solid waste collection (garbage, organics and recycling curbside pickup). If you are in a strata complex that provides solid waste collection, this fee is part of your strata fee, and is not included on your utilities.

• Can I pre-pay my utilities monthly?

  Yes. You can pre-pay your utilities and your property taxes monthly via post-dated cheques, telephone or Internet banking, or in person at Municipal Hall, but the balance must be paid in full by the deadline to avoid incurring the late payment penalty.

  The deadline for full payment will be the first business day following Canada Day.

• Can my mortgage company/bank pay my property taxes and utilities?

  Your mortgage company/bank can pay your property taxes. Your mortgage company/bank WILL NOT receive the Utility fee portion of the invoice, and DOES NOT pay your utilities. In order to avoid incurring a penalty, discuss with your bank to ensure that you pay the utilities portion yourself.

• Why is an unclaimed Home Owner Grant amount subject to penalties?

  Property taxes can be reduced by claiming the home owner grant if eligible. The home owner grant is a form of payment, therefore until the grant is claimed it is considered outstanding taxes and is subject to penalty.

• Is a property subject to penalty even if the owner did not receive a tax notice?

  Yes. It is the responsibility of the property owner to pay property taxes by the due date to avoid penalty, regardless of whether a notice was received.

• Are penalties discretionary?

  No. Penalties are mandated by Provincial legislation and are not discretionary.

• What is the legislation regarding penalties?

  If all or part of the property taxes referred to in section 234 (1) [taxes collected under general tax collection scheme] of the Community Charter for a parcel of land and its improvements on the assessment roll remain unpaid after the due date of the year those taxes are levied,

  (a) the collector must add to the unpaid property taxes for the parcel and improvements for the current year a penalty equal to 10% of the portion that remains unpaid.

• What period do property taxes cover?

  Property taxes cover January 1 to December 31 of each calendar year. They are due annually on the first business day in July. 

• Can I appeal my property taxes?

  No. Unlike property assessments, property taxes cannot be appealed. Property assessments can only be appealed through the BC Assessment office within 30 days of receiving the notice.

• I recently purchased my property. Am I responsible for paying property taxes?

  Property taxes are levied against the property rather than the individual owner, and therefore remain with the property through change of ownership. Arrangements for property tax payments are typically made by the parties involved, usually through a lawyer.

• Speculation and Vacancy Tax

  The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in areas in B.C. affected most by the current housing shortage crisis. 

  Find out more about how the speculation and vacancy tax applies to you or contact their offices at spectaxinfo@gov.bc.ca or 1-833-554-2323.