BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is urging senior homeowners struggling with the rising costs of living and aging to consider deferring their 2023 property taxes.
The BC Property Tax Deferral Program allows homeowners 55+ to defer all or some of their annual property taxes. The province pays the tax to the local government on behalf of the senior homeowner and the deferred taxes are repaid to the province when the home is sold.
“Eight out of ten seniors in B.C. are homeowners with modest or low incomes and are finding it very hard to keep up with rising costs; almost half of B.C. seniors live on an income that is less than minimum wage,” said Mackenzie. “Seniors who defer their property taxes can put as much as $500 per month back in their pocket to help pay for the costs of aging such as medications, mobility aids, personal care support and other activities of daily living which are vital for people as they get older.”
In the Monitoring Seniors Services 2022 Report, the Office of the Seniors Advocate found that homeowners deferred a total of $307 million in property taxes in 2021/22 - 61,394 were renewals and 6,989 were new users.
“I recognize property tax deferral is not a financial panacea for many senior homeowners, however, it can bring meaningful cost relief to some, depending on where they live,” Mackenzie said. “I encourage seniors facing financial difficulties to consider using this valuable government program.”
She said her office is actively working with the province to look at relieving the housing cost burdens for seniors by both significant relief for renters and expanding the Provincial Tax Deferral Program.
“Hopefully, the government will offer more relief for both senior renters and homeowners in future years,” Mackenzie added. “But this program is available now and can bring relief to some struggling seniors.”
The best time for homeowners to apply to defer property taxes is after they receive their tax notice but before the taxes are due in order to avoid any potential late penalties from the local government.
Quick Facts:
· Over the last five years, there has been a 49 per cent decrease in the number of new users of the Property Tax Deferral Program.
· One in two low-income seniors reports they are concerned, or very concerned, about being able to stay in their own home as they age.
· 49 per cent of low-income senior homeowners report they cannot afford major repairs for safety or accessibility.
· 84 per cent of low-income seniors report running out of money to buy food some of the time.
· There was a 78 per cent increase in use of food banks by B.C. seniors over the last five years.
Contact the Office of the Seniors Advocate by calling toll-free 1.877.952.3181, BC211 or email: info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca.
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