The deadline for New Westminster homeowners to pay their 2024 property taxes was July 2.
The next day, July 3, a five per cent penalty was added to unpaid bills.
Now, a second penalty is looming for local property owners if they don't pay their taxes in full in less than three weeks.
On Sept. 4, another five per cent will be charged to unpaid balances, which is a requirement of the Community Charter, according to the city's website, and includes unclaimed Home Owner Grants.
It also states a reminder notice was sent to homeowners in late July about the upcoming penalty.
After that, New West residents have until Dec. 31 to pay the new balance with the penalties or the total will be transferred to the 2025 taxes, which is also subject to daily interest charges.
"Property taxes are calculated based on the assessment value of a property (data provided by BC Assessment)," the City of New Westminster website reads. Property taxes increased by 7.7 per cent this year.
"Tax rates are set every year by city council in terms of general municipal taxes, local improvement taxes, parcel taxes and Business Improvement Area levies. Provincial legislation requires the city to collect taxes for services provided by other taxing authorities including Province of B.C. (School), TransLink, Metro Vancouver, BC Assessment Authority and Municipal Finance Authority."
7.7% tax increase in New West – now it’s time to work on the 2025 budget https://t.co/9G4WWJLTWd
— The Record (@TheRecord) March 6, 2024
The city says there are several options for New West property owners to make a payment:
Online banking, telephone banking and ATMs
- Contact your financial institution for further information
- From your financial institution’s website, search for "New Westminster" and select payee with "taxes"
- Use the eight (8)-digit folio number on the front of your tax notice as the account number
- Ensure your payment is received on time, allowing for at least three (3) business days prior to the due date
Credit card
- Pay online at newwestcity.ca/egov (convenience fee applies)
In person at your financial institution
- Ensure your payment is received by the due date
Cheques and bank drafts payable to the city
- Cheques and bank drafts may be postdated to the tax due date
- Incomplete information on cheques will not be processed
- Returned payments constitute a non-payment of taxes and will be subject to NSF fee and any applicable penalties or interest
In-person at city hall
- 511 Royal Ave.
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you have not received a property tax notice, you're encouraged to call New Westminster's revenue and collections division at 604-527-4550.
📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in New Westminster? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected].
📲 Want to stay updated on New West news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
💬 Words missing in an article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
