Changes are coming to the City of Castlegar’s pre-authorized property tax payment plan (PAP).
The plan allows taxpayers to make automatic monthly instalments to their property tax accounts in advance of the annual tax levy. More that 540 residents currently use the program.
City staff recommended several changes aimed at addressing administrative inefficiencies and bringing the policy in line with current operating practices.
The number of installments in the PAP will be reduced from 12 to 10 so that tax notices reflect all instalments made before the due date, and the annual withdrawal re-calculation can occur before the plan starts for the following year. Payments will be withdrawn from August to May.
Information on how to sign up for the pre-payment plan can be found at castlegar.ca.
Credits for over payment will no longer be refunded but will instead be applied toward the next year and reduce the monthly payment of the following year. In the case of a property sale, it is required that the conveyancing lawyer or notary apply any credit to the Statement of Adjustments.
Tax deadline change
The city is also making changes to the official deadline for paying taxes before penalties are applied.
The previous bylaw was adopted in 1975 and the update is expected to better reflect how business is transacted today, including online banking after regular work hours. The deadline has been moved from 4:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 2.
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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