Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan Information
Signing up for the Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan authorizes the City of White Rock to automatically withdraw the Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan amount from your Canadian chequing account the first day of each month (or the next business day) for the months of August through May.
Common Questions and Answers
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Only property owners whose current taxes are fully paid are eligible to participate in the Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan.
- The bank account used must be a chequing account with a financial institution in Canada.
How does the Plan work?
- The plan is a pre-payment plan for the following year's property taxes. The plan starts each year in August. Monthly instalments are withdrawn from customers accounts each month on the first of the month until May. There are no instalments in June or July.
- The accumulated monthly instalments and any interest earned will be applied as a pre-payment on your annual Property Tax Notice. Depending on eligibility for the Home Owner Grant and changes in assessed value, you may have a balance owing or credit on your account when you receive your notice.
- To avoid penalties, customers must pay any balance owing, after applying for any applicable Home Owner Grant. Any credits will carry forward and be included in your instalments for the next year's property taxes.
How do you calculate the amount of my monthly withdrawals?
- The amount for the withdrawal is estimated based on last years property taxes and the Home Owner Grant you will be claiming if eligible. This estimate is divided by 10 instalments to calculate your 10 monthly instalments (Aug to May). There is a calculator below on this form to help you determine your monthly withdrawal.
- Annually, unless indicated on the application form, the instalment amounts will be re-calculated based on an esitmate of the next year's taxes for your property. The new monthly instalment amount will be shown in a message on your annual Property Tax Notice.
Can I get a refund if I have a credit?
- A refund of any overpayment will be issued by filling out a property tax refund request form that can be found on the City's website or picked up in person at City Hall. Refunds are not automatic and subject to an administration fee as shown in the current Fees and Charges Bylaw.
- As credits were included when re-calculating your new monthly withdrawals, customers may wish to adjust their monthly instalment if requesting a refund.
What if I don’t have enough money in my bank account on the withdrawal date?
- An administration fee for returned payments, as outlined in the Fees and Charges Bylaw, will be charged to a property owner’s tax account for payments not honoured by their financial institution.
- The City may cancel a Preauthorized Payment Plan if two or more consecutive payments are returned.
What if I change banks, want to change my account or cancel the Pre-Payment Plan?
- Participants in the Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan must advise the Financial Services Department at least 10 business days prior to the next withdrawal date when you need to change bank account information or payment amount, or cancel the plan.
- Customers should use the Property Tax or Utility Billing request for change or cancellation form which can be found on the City's website or in person at City Hall.
- If a property is selling or sold, the Property Tax Department must be notified as soon as possible in order to cancel the Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan.
For general inquires regarding the Property Tax Pre-Payment Plan, please contact Finance at 604-541-2100 or email finance@whiterockcity.ca.