Vancouverites have one more week left to make Empty Homes Tax declaration lest they receive a fine from the city.
As of January 25, 87 per cent of residential property owners in Vancouver had submitted their Empty Homes Tax (EHT) declaration for 2020, a figure slightly ahead of last year’s percentage of 82 by the same date. Property owners who miss the February 2 declaration deadline will be levied a $250 fee for not declaring on time.
All residential property owners in Vancouver must submit a declaration, regardless of whether the owner lives in the property or rents it out. In a press release the city reminded homeowners that only one declaration per property is required.
A property will be subject to the EHT at a rate of 1.25 per cent of the property’s 2020 assessed taxable value if:
- no declaration is received by February 2; or
- the property is declared vacant by the property owner without qualifying for one of the nine exemptions.
However, if a late declaration of ‘occupied’ or ‘exempt’ status is received after February 2 and is verified by the city, the property will not be subject to the tax.
All declarations may be subject to audit.
Declarations can be made online. The process takes just a few minutes to complete, and residents can get help by calling 3-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily (outside Vancouver call 604-873-7000) or by chatting live with an advisor on our website.
Payment of the Empty Homes Tax is due by April 16, 2021. Payments made after this date will be subject to a five per cent penalty.
The provincial government’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax is separate from the city’s Empty Homes Tax; inquiries regarding the province’s tax should be directed to spectaxinfo@gov.bc.ca or by calling 1-833-554-2323.
