Property Taxes

The due date and penalty, in plain English

Property taxes for 2026 are due July 2, 2026. If your account has any outstanding balance on July 3, a 10% penalty is automatically applied. The penalty is set under City bylaw and cannot be waived for late payment, even if your bank processed your payment after the due date. Plan to pay a few days early to avoid surprises.

How to pay (pick your favourite)

You have four options, all of them work:

• Online via Silvermere Pay (demo) , fastest, Visa or MasterCard with a small convenience fee charged by Silvermere Pay (demo) (not the City). Receipt is emailed immediately. Use your 8-digit Roll Number from your Property Tax Notice.
• Through your bank , free, takes 3 to 5 business days. Set up “City of Silvermere, Property Tax” as a payee in your online banking. Use your 8-digit Roll Number as the account.
• By mail , cheque payable to the City of Silvermere, 100 Lakeshore Avenue, Silvermere, BC V0X 1S0. Allow at least five business days. Mail arriving after the due date is considered late.
• In person at City Hall , cheque, debit, or cash. Friendly humans at the Finance counter.

Home Owner Grant (don’t skip this)

The Home Owner Grant reduces what you owe on your principal residence. The City does not process this application; the Province does.

• Apply at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or call 1-888-355-2700
• You’ll need your Roll Number from your tax notice
• Apply by July 2, 2026 to avoid the late penalty being applied to the grant portion of your bill
• Additional Grant available for seniors (65+), people with disabilities, veterans, and others
• 2026 grant threshold: $2,075,000 in assessed value (grant reduces by $5 for every $1,000 over)

Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP)

Spreading next year’s taxes over the year is easier on the budget than one big July payment. The City’s Pre-Authorized Payment Plan withdraws 10 monthly instalments toward your next year’s tax bill. Sign up by calling Finance at 250-555-0100 or emailing finance@silvermere.example. The plan is established under Bylaw 320.

BC Tax Deferment (Provincial)

The Province of BC offers a low-interest loan that lets eligible homeowners defer their property taxes. It is run by the Province, not the City. Common programs include the Regular Program (55+, surviving spouse, or persons with disabilities) and the Families with Children Program. Visit the BC Government’s tax deferment page to see if you qualify.

Disagree with your assessment?

Your property assessment is set by BC Assessment, not the City. The City uses your assessment to calculate taxes, but the City doesn’t set the value. To appeal, file with the Property Assessment Review Panel through BC Assessment by January 31 each year (1-866-825-8322 / bcassessment.ca).

What happens if taxes go unpaid for 3+ years (very rare)

Properties with three or more years of unpaid taxes become eligible for tax sale. It’s a serious legal process and almost never happens, the City would much rather work with you to set up a payment arrangement long before that point. If you’re behind, even a little, call Finance at 250-555-0100 before it stretches that far. There’s no shame in calling.

Where the rates come from

The annual property tax rates are set by Council each spring and published in the official Tax Rates Bylaw. The current year’s rates are available as a public document.

Open the 2025 Tax Rates Bylaw (PDF), which lists the rate per $1,000 of assessed value for each property class.