Initial Application Process

Step 1. Wait until you receive your annual property tax notice from your tax authority office.

Step 2. Complete the Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement (FIN 51) or a Families with Children Property Tax Deferment Program Application and Agreement (FIN 28).  The forms can be completed on screen and then printed out.  Forms are also available at local municipal offices or Service BC Centres.

Note: Only one owner who meets the qualifications is required to complete and sign the application (Form 1) and all registered owners must sign the deferment agreement (Form 2).

Step 3. Return the completed application and agreement to your municipal office if you reside in a municipality, or to a Service BC Centre if you reside in a rural area, for processing before the property tax due date. If you miss the due date, you will be subject to penalties; however, you have until December 31 of the current tax year to apply. Before applying, you must pay all penalties, interest, previous years' property taxes and utility user fees, as these cannot be deferred.

If there is no Service BC Centre in your area, mail this information directly to the Tax Deferment Office in Victoria.

New applications are NOT accepted if submitted by fax or email.

The last date you may submit your tax deferment application is December 31st of the current year. However, if you apply after the initial tax due date, a late penalty charge will be added to your property tax account. Penalties are not deferrable and must be paid before your tax authority submits your application to our office for processing.

Only unpaid taxes for the current year can be deferred. Paying current year taxes in full will nullify your application

After You Apply

• Your municipal office or Service BC Centre will complete the Collector portion of your application/agreement and forward it to the Tax Deferment Office for processing.
• The Tax Deferment Office will receive your application and determine your eligibility.
• If your application is approved, it becomes a signed agreement and is registered as a restrictive lien in a land title registry or, if your home is a manufactured home, in the Personal Property Registry. The lien remains in effect until the account is paid in full. Once the lien is registered, the Tax Deferment Office pays your current property taxes to your taxing authority on your behalf.
• In future years, you will receive a Statement of Account and Renewal Application each spring. You must submit the Renewal Application by your tax due date if you wish to defer that year's taxes and avoid penalties.

Note: Renewal of your tax deferment agreement is not automatic

Tax deferment liens are restrictive. This means that title changes after the lien is registered (other than to add a spouse) require repayment of your deferment account. Please ensure you have completed all changes to the ownership (such as adding or removing other owners, subdivisions, or refinancing) before applying to defer your taxes.

Some applications can take several months to process because of the need to gather all necessary information.