By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle

About 300 Osoyoos property owners did not pay their property taxes by the July 2 deadline but this number is inline with previous years while four property owners were denied their request to have penalties for late or non-payment of their taxes waived. 

Jim Zakall, Director of Financial Services said “on average we are right where we were in previous years,” he said of the roughly 300 errant taxpayers. 

In response a question from Mayor Sue McKortoff as to whether the town is following up with these property owners alerting them to the fact they are late in paying, he said “absolutely”. 

“Tax certificates have been mailed out to all the property owners. We’ve been following up with the properties that are in tax delinquency pending tax sales trying to get to those people to try to communicate with them that to try and get their taxes paid so we don’t have to have a tax sale.”

Meanwhile four property owners asked to have penalties waived for late and non-payment but were denied by a unanimous council vote. McKortoff noted the various ways that property owners have at their disposal to pay, including installments in advance.

“I do think that this has to be fair for everybody and I believe that if the town was at fault . . . absolutely we would look at reversing the penalties and paying back the money. But I think we’ve given ample consideration to this and reminded people and I think we need to go with our Bylaw and not allow these penalties to be waived.”

The penalties under consideration range from just over $100 up to slightly more than $1,000.

In the staff report to council Jim Zakall, Director of Financial Services highlighted the four properties:

  • Property Taxes $1,516.70; Penalty applied $151.67; Tax Payment received July 4th; Balance outstanding $0.00. 
  • Property Taxes $4,211.61; Penalty applied $104.50; Homeowner Grant Claimed July 9th; Tax Payment received May 27 $3,166.61; Balance outstanding $104.50. 
  • Property Taxes $2,836.70; Penalty applied $283.67; Homeowner Grant claimed July 3rd $770,00; No Tax Payment received; Balance outstanding $2,350.37. 
  • Property Taxes $10,137.77; Penalty applied $1,013.78; Tax Payment received July 3rd, 2024 $10,137.77; Balance outstanding $1,013.78.

The report also highlighted that the Town of Osoyoos “Property Tax Due Date” has been established by the Osoyoos Tax Rate Bylaw No. 1396, 2024 – Section 4. 

It states that “A percent addition of Ten Percent (10 per cent) will be added to the amount remaining unpaid after the second day of July, 2024 at four o’clock in the afternoon (4 p.m.) and the amount unpaid, including the percentum additions, will be deemed to be the amount of the current year’s Taxes due and payable upon such taxable Land and Improvements as provided by the Community Charter.”

Council also heard that Property Tax notices were mailed out in late May this year and states “very clearly,” in large bold print, that a 10 per cent penalty will be charged if not paid by the July 2 due date and that postmarks are not accepted as proof of payment date.

Payments can be made by cheque, cash, online banking, e-transfer, or being registered for the Town’s pre-authorized payment plan. Payments can also be made to property taxes at any time during the year. 

“These options provide homeowners with many different ways to pay their property taxes to avoid the possibility of a late payment,” Zakall said, adding that the homeowners’ grant can be applied for early in the year to avoid forgetting or being late. No notices returned from Canada Post with respect to the properties in question, he added.

“Staff consistently demonstrate professionalism and respect towards our property owners and visitors. The Director of Finance is diligent about reversing penalties if any errors occur on the Town’s side. However, it remains the responsibility of property owners to ensure their property tax payments are made on time,” Zakall said.