Almost $2.5 million in tax breaks will be given in Kelowna

KELOWNA – The annual granting of tax exemptions by the City of Kelowna allows dozens of churches and other groups to avoid paying $1.8 million in city taxes in 2020.

When school, regional district and hospital taxes are included, the total taxes not paid comes to $2.43 million, up from about $2.3 million last year.

City council will be asked to grant the exemptions at its Monday afternoon meeting.

There are eight different classifications for exemptions, ranging from churches and private schools to public parks and cultural facilities.

The “Worship” category is the largest with $611,000 in exemptions for about 60 religious organizations.

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