By John Boivin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Valley Voice
Kaslo Village council won’t be charging local businesses tax this year to help them get through the economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At its meeting Jan. 12, council voted to set the business tax rate to zero dollars for 2021.
The break will apply to specific categories: professional and financial services, home-based business, contractors and certified trades, short-term rental accommodation, and all other resident and non-resident businesses.
Seasonal or temporary commercial vendors, special events, community events and market rates, and Inter-Community Business License will remain unchanged because those rates pertain to specific events and situations, a council report stated.
Council had first considered reducing business taxes by half, until Councillor Henry Van Mill suggested it be cut completely for this year.
“I think that’s more than generous, for sure,” said Councillor Kellie Knoll in agreeing to the reduction. “I think that businesses will appreciate that.”
Businesses would have to be up to date with their village taxes from last year to qualify.
The hole created in village revenues from the tax break shouldn’t be hard to fill. Business licenses brought in $13,325 in revenues to the village in 2020. The village will use part of the more than $400,000 it received from the province for COVID recovery efforts to offset the lost revenue.
License fees help cover business-related expenses like fire inspections (which cost $6,990 in 2020) and the support that the village provides to the Kaslo and Area Chamber of Commerce.
Council also approved waiving the late penalty on utility bills to provide relief to both residents and businesses this year. The late fee is $2/month effective April 1. Utility fees must be paid by Dec. 31.
