It was corruption that derailed 12,500 rural property taxes.
“Approximately 12,500 rural property tax notices were automatically aborted due to a corrupt character in the printing file,” reads a June 26 email from the Ministry of Finance, the ministry responsible for printing and sending tax notices.
“New tax notices with an extended deadline are currently being mailed out and taxpayers will receive them shortly.”
The system error affected property owners in Area C South Shuswap, Area D Falkland/Salmon Valley/Ranchero, Area E rural Sicamous and Area F North Shuswap.
Other areas of the province were also affected – Area F of the Regional District of North Okanagan, Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine – Jurisdiction 792 – Electoral Area A and the University Endowment Lands in Vancouver.
The payment deadline has been extended to 38 days from the date of issue. The same extension will be granted to these taxpayers for home owner grant applications.
Affected taxpayers will not be subject to a late payment penalty if they pay their property taxes by the extended deadline.
In rural areas tax payments must be received or postmarked on or before the due date to be considered on time.
Those who are unable to pay their taxes in full, should still claim their homeowner grant and see if they qualify to defer their taxes.
Rural property taxes are payable through financial institutions, through a mortgage agreement, at Service BC offices and by mail or courier.
