TO date, 89 per cent of all residential property owners have submitted Empty Homes Tax declarations, which is in line with the 88 per cent who had completed their declarations as of this date last year.

The City is urging those who haven’t yet submitted their declaration to do so before the February 4 deadline. On average, it only takes two minutes to complete the online declaration at vancouver.ca/eht-declare.

Residential property owners in Vancouver are required to submit a City of Vancouver Empty Homes Tax declaration each year – only one declaration per property is required. Homeowners who fail to declare by the deadline will have their properties deemed vacant and be subject to the Empty Homes Tax at a rate of one per cent of the property’s 2018 assessed taxable value, as well as a $250 penalty. Payment is due by April 12, or an additional five per cent penalty will be applied.

There are a number of ways that residential property owners can easily submit their Empty Homes Tax declarations, including:

• Online at vancouver.ca/eht-declare. The online declaration process is simple and takes most people only a few minutes to complete. Online chat with an EHT representative is available.

• In person at City Hall. Residential property owners may visit City Hall where staff will be available to assist them with online declarations. City Hall regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Over the phone by calling 3-1-1. Residential property owners who need assistance making their online declaration can call 3-1-1 between 7 am and 10 pm daily (outside Vancouver: 604-873-7000) and speak to a citizen service representative. Translation services are also available at 3-1-1. Longer call wait times are expected closer to the February 4 deadline.

• Residential property owners can receive technical and information support for submitting their online declaration at any Vancouver Public Library location. For opening hours and locations visit vpl.ca/hours-locations.

The City of Vancouver’s Empty Homes Tax is separate from the provincial government’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax; inquiries regarding the province’s tax may be directed to spectaxinfo@gov.bc.ca or by calling 1-833-554-2323.