Property Taxes

To make an address change you must contact BC Assessment and the Land Title and Survey Authority office.

• The BC Assessment office manages the address database that the Town of Golden uses. We receive updates to this information weekly. The BC Assessment Authority can be contacted at 1 866 825-8322 or by filling out the online form. Any changes made with BC Assessment will be reflected in our system in 7 – 10 days.
• The Land Title and Survey Authority office must also be informed of the update as well. That is the office that holds all legal information for a property. It is very important that the Land Title and Survey Authority have your correct mailing address so that any future correspondence from their office reaches you. You can inform the Land Title and Survey Authority office of the change in mailing address by calling 1-877-577-5872 or by filling out the online form.

If you have not received your tax notice and require an immediate update to your mailing address in order to receive a Property Tax Notice, contact our office at 250-344-2271. You are still required to inform the BC Assessment office and The Land Title and Survey Authority office. If they are not advised of your updated address when we receive updates from them, the previous outdated records they have for you will overwrite ours.

In addition, we collect taxes on behalf of various levels of government including Police, School, CSRD and RDEK Hospital and remit the funds to them. This can be a significant portion of your annual tax bill. It is important for residents to understand that of the total amount of their tax bill,  the amount that actually goes to the municipality is considerably less.

 All home owner grant applications must be submitted directly to the BC provincial government through a secure online application. Residents will no longer be able to apply for the home owner grant through the Town of Golden. 
 
Home owners can now apply for current year or retroactive home owner grants online. Find more information about this change or call toll free: 1-888-355-2700 to speak with an agent.

Please note that you must apply for the homeowner grant every year. The application is required even if your bank or mortgage holder is paying the taxes. If the application is not submitted by July 2, that amount is subject to penalty. 

The British Columbia Property Tax Deferment Program is a loan program that allows you to defer your annual property taxes on your home if you meet certain criteria.

To qualify, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who has lived in British Columbia for at least one year immediately prior to applying for te derment benefits and be:

• 55 years or older during the calendar year
• A surviving spouse, or
• A person with a disability as defined by regulation

You may defer taxes on the home where you live and conduct your daily activities.  Second residences, such as summer cottages or rental properties, do not qualify for tax deferment benefits.
 
You can apply once you receive your property tax notice. To apply, visit the Government of BC's website, and follow their instructions below.

Here's how it works:

1. Receive your annual property tax notice
2. Confirm you qualify for one of the tax deferment programs
3. Make sure your property tax account is up to date
4. Submit your application online
5. Ensure all other owners provide authorization
6. Check the status of your application
7. Know what to expect if your application is approved
8. Renew your tax deferment loan agreement each year

If you are a not-for-profit, charitable organization or operate as a place of worship, you may qualify for a tax exemption. Application forms become available in the spring of each year.

PTE recipients from the previous year will be emailed a renewal form, while new applicants will be required to fill out the 2025 Application form.

If you have questions about the application process, email: taxes@golden.ca

Tax payers have the option to participate in a Property Tax Payment Plan. The property tax account does not need to be current, meaning there can be a balance owing on account. Please note that interest on arrears and delinquent balances as well as penalties due on the balance outstanding after the tax deadline will continue to be incurred until such time as the balance is paid in full. Participants who wish to participate in the plan must apply every year by filling out a Property Tax Payment Plan Application Form and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions. (Forms are available at Town Hall or can be accessed by clicking the link).

Tax payers have the option to participate in a Property Tax Prepayment Plan. The property tax account must be current, meaning there can be no outstanding property taxes against the property. Participants who wish to participate in the plan must apply every year by filling out a Property Tax Prepayment Plan Application Form and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions. (Forms are available at Town Hall or can be accessed by clicking the link).