Property taxes are collected annually to fund Village services and to collect taxes on behalf of other agencies, including the Province (school taxes), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), and other public bodies.
Each year, property tax notices are mailed to property owners in May. Taxes must be paid by the due date to avoid penalty, whether or not a notice is received.
Understanding Your Property Tax Notice
Your property tax notice is one bill showing the total amount owing, made up of several charges:
- Village (Municipal) – local services and operations
- RDCK – regional services
- School – provincial school taxes
- Hospital – regional hospital levy
- Police – policing costs
- Other – Municipal Finance Authority and BC Assessment
👉 View our 2026 Tax Notice Guide
This guide explains each section of your tax notice and was included with your mailed notice.
What Portion Does the Village Control?
Only the municipal portion of your taxes is set by Village Council.
The Village is required to collect the remaining charges on behalf of other agencies.
👉 This means changes to your total tax bill are often influenced by external agencies, even if the Village portion changes only modestly.
What Changed in 2026?
For 2026, Council adopted a financial plan to maintain service levels and address rising costs.
- General municipal tax increase: 9%
- Municipal taxes support:
- Core services (roads, parks, fire protection, administration)
- Asset maintenance and renewal
- Ongoing operations and staffing
This increase reflects:
- Rising costs (labour, materials, utilities)
- Maintaining current service levels
- Investment in infrastructure and assets
What This Means for a Typical Property
For an average single-family home:
- Municipal portion: $1,278.70/year
- Municipal increase: ~$90.58/year (~$7.55/month)
- Other agencies: $2,184.52
- Total property tax: $3,463.22
👉 Even if the Village portion stays stable, your total bill may change due to RDCK, school, hospital, or policing increases.
How Property Taxes Are Calculated
Property taxes are determined through a structured process:
- Council adopts a Financial Plan that sets total revenue required
- Other agencies (RDCK, Province, etc.) set their requisitions
- BC Assessment determines property values
- Council sets how taxes are distributed across property types
- Tax rates are calculated and adopted through a bylaw
Where Your Taxes Go
Property taxes fund a range of services, including:
- Roads, transportation, and snow removal
- Fire protection and emergency services
- Parks, recreation, and community amenities
- Water and wastewater systems
- Planning and development services
They also fund long-term priorities like asset renewal and infrastructure replacement, which remains a key challenge for many small communities.
Financial Plan & Budget
Each year, the Village adopts a five-year Financial Plan that outlines:
- How much revenue is needed
- What services and projects are funded
- How taxes are used
👉 2026-2030 Financial Plan Bylaw
The plan prioritizes:
- Operating services
- Asset renewal and infrastructure
- Service enhancements
BC Assessment
BC Assessment determines your property’s assessed value annually.
- Based on estimated market value
- Valued as of July 1 each year
- Used to calculate your share of property taxes
👉 Visit BC Assessment or call 1‑866‑ValueBC
The Village does not set your property value.
Home Owner Grant
The Home Owner Grant reduces property taxes for eligible principal residences.
- Up to $770 (regular)
- Up to $1,045 (seniors/qualified applicants)
👉 Apply for the Home Owner Grant
You must apply every year after receiving your notice.
Tax Deferment
Eligible homeowners may defer property taxes through a provincial program.
- The Province pays your taxes now
- You repay later with interest
- A lien is placed on the property
👉 Learn about Property Tax Deferment
Getting Help
If you have questions about your tax notice, please contact the Village:
- Phone: 250‑353‑2311
- Email: admin@kaslo.ca