2012 Assessments are Now Online

While tax assessments will be in the mail in the next couple of weeks, the BC Assessment website with 2012 assessments are now available online.

The BC Assessment’s website provides a listing of property assessments and sales to help property owners understand their property's market value and provide comparable sales information. Go to www.bcassessment.ca and click on the e-valueBC link.

It's important to remember that assessments are the estimate of a property’s market value as of July 1, 2011 and physical condition as of October 31, 2011. This common valuation date ensures there is an equitable property assessment base for property taxation.

Real estate sales determine a property’s value which is reported annually by BC Assessment. Local governments and other taxing authorities are responsible for property taxation and, after determining their own budget needs this spring, will calculate property tax rates based on the assessment roll for their jurisdiction.

Changes in property assessments reflect movement in the local real estate market and can vary greatly from property to property. When estimating a property’s market value, BC Assessment’s professional appraisers analyze current sales in the area, as well as considering other characteristics such as size, age, quality, condition, view and location. If you have questions regarding your assessment or want to appeal it, remember the deadlines and process for filing an appeal notice are non the back of your assessment notice.

BC Assessment’s assessment roll provides the foundation for local and provincial taxing authorities to raise more than $6.2 billion in property taxes each year. This revenue funds the many community services provided by local governments around the province, including the public school system.