PROPERTY TAX: HOME OWNER GRANT (HOG) INFORMATION

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Home Owner Grant

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On December 8, 2020, the B.C. government introduced legislation to amend the Home Owner Grant Act. The province shares, “theses amendments are the first step to centralizing the homeowner grant program for the 2021 tax year. The proposed amendments do not change the eligibility criteria for the program.”

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What this means:

  • The Province will be entirely responsible for the homeowner grant program for the 2021 tax year.

  • All homeowners will apply directly to the Province online or over the phone.

  • The provincial application will be available early in the new year, subject to the deposit of the regulations. The province reports that work on the regulations is currently underway.

  • Starting January 1, 2021, local governments can no longer accept retroactive or new applications for the grant and instead homeowners must go to www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant

Get ready to apply

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The best time to apply is after you receive your property tax notice in the mail and before your property tax due date.

  1. Wait to receive your property tax notice in the mail.

  2. Keep your property tax notice on hand. It has important numbers you’ll need to apply.

  3. Once applications open, you can apply quickly and easily online.

  4. Contact the numbers below if you have any questions about the home owner grant.

Toll Free: 1-888-355-2700

Office: 250-387-0555

 

By centralizing this program within the B.C. government reports, they will:

  • Ensure homeowners receive the grant amount they are eligible for, such as the additional grant for seniors or persons with a disability.

  • Automate the approval process for grants resulting in quicker application processing – this will help prevent ineligible homeowners from being penalized for late property tax payments.

Avoid Penalties

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While this information is subject to change as new information is announced by the Province, typically your tax payment and Home Owner Grant application must be received on or before July 2 each year. Late, or delayed by mail, payments: are subject to penalty if not received by the July 2 deadline.