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Lax taxpayers in Kelowna facing second five per cent penalty

If annual property taxes are not paid by Aug 8, the second penalty will be applied says city hall.
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If you did not pay your annual property taxes in the City of Kelowna earlier this month, you are being warned to do so by Aug. 8 to avoid a second financial penalty.

City hall says outstanding Kelowna property taxes for 2017 must be paid by midnight, Tuesday, Aug. 8 to avoid the second provincially-legislated penalty of five per cent. The first five per cent penalty was imposed on taxpayers who did not pay by July 4.

According to the city, payments can be made:

• Online or by telephone banking using the tax roll number as the account number

• Via drop boxes at city hall’s Water Street entrance and the Doyle Avenue parking lot exit

• At city hall’s Revenue Branch front counter, 1435 Water Street. (A reminder, city hall will be closed for B.C. Day on Monday, Aug. 7).

Because the due date is nearing, it is not recommended payments be sent by mail as they may not be received in time to avoid the second penalty. Postmarks are not considered as date of payment.

Property taxes can be paid by cash, cheque, money order or debit card.

Once 2017 taxes are paid, residents can sign up for prepayment of their 2018 taxes – through reoccurring bank payments or the city’s pre-authorized withdrawal system.

For more information about Kelowna property taxes, prepayment and other payment options, visit kelowna.ca/propertytax or call 250-469-8757.

Other municipalities in the Central Okanagan—West Kelowna, Lake Country and Peachland do not break their penalties for late payment of annual property taxes into two five per cent hits. They all charge the full 10 per cent penalty as of original deadline, which this year was July 4.