As the deadline approaches for BC homeowners to pay property taxes, BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is encouraging seniors to consider property tax deferment as a way to stay living independently. BC’s Property Tax Deferment program allows individuals, including senior homeowners, to defer paying taxes for a low simple interest charge (currently 0.7%) that accrues until they withdraw from the program voluntarily, upon ownership transfer, or upon death.
“What I’m hearing as I travel around the province is that there are many seniors living in their own homes who have a very challenging time getting the money together to pay their taxes, and in some cases this drives them from their homes entirely,” said Mackenzie. “This program assists seniors in continuing to live independently as long as possible, which research shows increases overall health and significantly decreases overall costs to the system.”
Approximately 80 per cent of seniors in BC are homeowners (609,920) and 24 per cent of senior homeowners have an annual income of $30,000 or less. To qualify for the Property Tax Deferment program you must be 55 or older and have a minimum of 25 per cent of equity in your home. Application to the program can be made once tax notices are received.
“I know for some seniors, deferring may be an uncomfortable idea, and they may be worried about equity in their home, but when you actually do the math, in most cases it’s obvious the impact is not as significant as some people may think.”
Mackenzie points out that a substantial portion of a property’s equity remains, even after deferring property taxes for ten years.
You can find out more at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/property-taxes.
Sara DarlingDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Seniors Advocate
