RESIDENTIAL property owners in Vancouver can now make their Empty Homes Tax (EHT) property status declaration for the 2021 tax year.
Over the coming weeks, declaration instructions are being mailed to property owners along with their advance property tax notice. Owners who have signed up to receive eBills will also receive their notice direct to their email inbox. Declarations are due by February 2, 2022.
The Empty Homes Tax declaration is an annual requirement for all residential property owners. Properties declared or deemed vacant in the 2021 tax year will be subject to a tax of three per cent of the property’s 2021 assessed taxable value. Most homes will not be subject to the tax, as it does not apply to principal residences or homes rented for at least six months of the year.
A declaration is required for every residential property, even if the owner lives in the property or rents it out. If a property is co-owned, only one owner is required to declare.
Declare online in just a few minutes at vancouver.ca/eht-declare. If you require help, chat live with an advisor on our website, or call us at 3-1-1.
While online, property owners are encouraged to sign up for an online services account. Once signed up, owners can opt to receive their next tax notice by email, check their account balances, and access other important tax information.
Owners who failed to declare their property status for the 2020 tax year have until July 5, 2022, to make a late declaration in the form of a Notice of Complaint. A $250 bylaw fine applies to late declarations.
Learn more:
Learn more about the Empty Homes Tax, and the impact it is having on housing affordability and availability in Vancouver on our website. An in-depth look at the latest statistics and progress of the tax will be available in the Empty Homes Tax 2020 Annual Report when it is released later this year. Previous years’ Annual Reports are available online.
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 gov.bc.ca/spectax or by calling 1-833-554-2323.
