Kelowna giving residents leeway on property tax deadline

While the City of Kelowna isn’t encouraging people to defer their property taxes beyond the July 2 due date, it is offering a break that amounts to the same thing.

Normally, anyone paying their property taxes after July 2 is charged a 10 per cent late fee. City council agreed today, April 6, to defer that until Sept. 1.

“We are trying to provide flexibility to those residents and businesses that need to adjust due to the interruption in their incomes,” Mayor Colin Basran said in a news release.

“By deferring interest and penalties to September for those who need it, we are doing everything in our power as a local government to provide some financial relief for residents through the spring and summer.”

Those who can pay on time are asked to do so since any delay affects the City’s cash flow.

Because of the cash flow problems, the City is looking to adopt a bylaw which will allow it to borrow money for the short term, if necessary, in order to keep essential services running.

Other financial measures for Kelowna residents include:

• People who pay their taxes monthly can ask for auto-withdrawals to be put on hold from April 7 to Aug. 31.
• Those who are more than 55 years old may also be eligible for the B.C. government’s property tax deferral program.
• Interest rate charges on utility bills, permits, licenses and rents are also waived during that time period.
• Efforts by collection agencies to get outstanding payments will be halted as will not sufficient funds charges until Aug. 31.

“Unlike other levels of government, municipal governments cannot run a deficit, so we’re doing what we can to give people a break, while still fulfilling our obligations to maintain services and comply with our legislated responsibilities,” Basran said.

For more information, go here.

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