Property Tax

Property Taxation is the most important single source of municipal revenue. Provincial legisltation sets out very detailed regulation of municipal taxation. The amount of money to be raised through property taxes and the tax rates are set by Council, but the tax rates of the other agencies are determined by the relevant taxing agencies.

The District of Sooke collects taxes for both the municipality and a number of other governing bodies. Of the total property tax you pay, only 42% is applied directly to municipal services. The balance is collected on behalf of, and transferred to other taxing authorities. Included in the municipal portion of your taxes are services such as the Vancouver Regional Library Services and protective services including the RCMP and fire protection.

Each year, property tax notices will be mailed in late May or early June. If you have not received your property tax notice, please contact the Finance Department at 250-642-1634 before the due date; it is the responsibility of the property owner to pay property taxes by the due date in order to avoid a penalty, whether or not a bill was received. New owners who have not received a property tax notice are advised to contact the Finance Department.

Current property taxes unpaid after July 2, 2010 will be subject to a 10% penalty.

 

Tax Rates

Each year a council decides how much money it must raise through property taxes. This, together with the assessed value of the taxable property, determines the tax rate. Tax rates are expressed in "dollars per thousand".

 

2009 Tax Rate (Per $1,000 of assessed value)

 

  Residential Utilities Light Industry Business
Other		 Managed 
Forest Land		 Recreation
Non-Profit		 Farm
               
Tax Authority Class 1 Class 2 Class 5 Class 6 Class 7 Class 8 Class 9
               

Municipal
General

 2.59528 21.34617 13.17364 8.53847 13.17364 2.59528 2.59528
               
Regional District General 1.04198 8.57025 5.28907 3.42810 5.28907 1.04198 1.04198
               
School 1.94950 14.50000 7.00000 7.00000 2.00000 3.70000 6.90000
               
Regional Hospital District 0.23395 0.81882 0.79543 0.57317 0.70185 0.23395 0.23395
               
BC Assessment 0.06410 0.49510 0.20260 0.20260 0.27800 0.06410 0.06410
               
Municipal Finance Authority 0.00020 0.00070 0.00070 0.00050 0.00060 0.00020 0.00020
               
BC Transit 0.16410 0.82050 0.82050 0.82050 0.82050 0.16410 0.16410
               
Total
Mill Rate		 6.04910 46.55154 27.28193 20.56334 22.26365 7.79960 10.99960

 

Assessments

The value of property for tax purposes is determined by the BC Assessment Authority, which is established under Provincial legislation and is independent of the District of Sooke. Municipalities are not involved in determining assessed values.

School Taxes

The District of Sooke acts as the collection agency for school taxes. School taxes on residential property are paid to the local school board, while other school taxes are paid to the Provincial government. The District of Sooke must pay the School Board, even if the property owners do not pay their taxes. Municipalities have no control over the school tax rates. School tax rates are set by the local school board and the Provincial government.