With the official property tax deadline less than a month away, Port Coquitlam is reminding taxpayers of this year’s new Home Owner Grant process and support for those struggling financially.

Resident and business property taxes for 2021 are officially due on July 2. However, to support residents and businesses facing economic hardship due to the pandemic, Port Coquitlam has cancelled the typical five per cent late fee in July and deferred the usual second five per cent penalty in August until Sept. 16. 

This change gives taxpayers until Sept. 15 to pay their 2021 taxes without incurring a late fee. However, those who can afford to pay by July 2 are encouraged to do so because property taxes support a wide array of essential City services. 

Residents will also have a new process this year for claiming their Home Owner Grant. 

The provincial government is now administering the Home Owner Grant, and applications must be submitted online at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or by phone at 1-888-355-2700 rather than through the City. This is the only change to the grant program for 2021. 

The provincial government also offers homeowners the option of applying to defer their 2021 taxes if they meet certain criteria, through either the Regular Program for people who are age 55 or older, a surviving spouse or a person with disabilities, or through the Families with Children Program. For information or to apply, visit gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment. 

Information and Resources

• Tax and budget information: Visit or portcoquitlam.ca/taxes for information about tax payments andportcoquitlam.ca/2021budget for information about the 2021 budget.
• Prepayment program: To make it easier to pay, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the City’s tax prepayment plan, which divides the following year’s utility and/or tax payments into an equal number of pre-authorized payments. The best time to start is in July. Visitportcoquitlam.ca/prepayment to sign up for 2022.
• Go paperless: Residents and businesses can also sign up for a MyPortCoquitlam account at my.portcoquitlam.ca to give them 24/7 secure access to information about their property taxes, utilities and dog and business licences. Subscribers can also choose to receive their tax and utility bills by email.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca