Property Tax Frequently Asked Questions

How does your property assessment impact your property taxes?

Some confusion surrounds property assessments and their connection to property taxes so let’s clear that up.

My BC Assessment doubled, does this mean my property taxes will too?

Not necessarily. If your property assessment is in line with the average assessment increase in Nanaimo, your City of Nanaimo property tax increase will equal the approximate increase approved by Council for this year. If your assessment is lower than average, your property tax increase will be lower. If your assessment is higher than average, your property tax increase will be higher.

So, it’s not how much your assessed value has change, but how it has changed compared to the average change in your property class. The image below from BC Assessment's website illustrates what was explained above.

If the assessed values are higher does that mean the City gets more money?

Funds received by the City are used to offset the cost of programs and services. The budgeting process for the City is extensive, taking many months each year. To put it simply, we calculate how much it will cost to “run” the City (deliver services, maintain infrastructure, deliver projects, contribute to infrastructure renewal reserves, etc.) in a given year and then determine how we are going to pay for that. Tax rates are then calculated to collect only the revenue required from the assessed base.

I want to appeal my BC Assessment, where do I do that?

If you have received an assessment that you don’t agree with, you can appeal it through the BC Assessment Authority. You can find contact information and more on your assessment notice and find information on appealing on the BC Assessment website. The deadline to appeal is January 31.

I have my BC Assessment figures, why can’t the City tell me what my tax bill is going to be for the year?

Although the City of Nanaimo has determined what the approximate property tax increase may be, there could be changes to the approved Financial Plan before the tax rate bylaws are set, which happens each year before May 15. In addition, the City collects taxes for other entities (Regional District of Nanaimo, School District 68, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, the Municipal Finance Authority and BC Assessment) that have different deadlines and may not have completed the budget and tax requisition processes. For example, the Regional District of Nanaimo has until April 10 to provide the City with tax requisition information. 

How do your property taxes make a difference to your community?

Each property tax bill helps pay for the important City services and initiatives that make Nanaimo a community that is livable, environmentally sustainable and full of opportunity for all generations and walks of life. There are two components to the annual property tax increase – a general increase for City operations and a one per cent increase of the annual contribution to the general asset management reserve.

How are my taxes calculated?

The City of Nanaimo determines the tax rate based on what we need to balance the budget for the year. Your tax bill is calculated based on your property’s assessed value, which is determined by BC Assessment and then by the tax rate. 

The City also collects taxes for other agencies that offer services in the City including:

• School District
• BC Assessment
• Municipal Finance Authority
• Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN)
• Vancouver Island Regional Library
• Parcel tax for RDN

These agencies determine a tax rate needed for their operations in a similar fashion as the City.

2025 Example:

• Your property is assessed by BC Assessment at $783,800 in Class 1 (residential)
• City of Nanaimo Council approves the Financial Plan and the 2025 Tax Rate based on budget requirements. The municipal tax rate (General and Debt) is set at 3.91081 for every $1,000 in assessment for Class 1
• The municipal levy is calculated as follows:

          783,800 / 1,000 = 783.8 x 3.91081 = $3,065.30

For current year property tax rates please visit the Property Tax Information page.

Did you know?

The City has many revenue sources we use to balance the annual budget. One of the sources is property taxation which generally makes up over 50% of the revenue collected.  More information on the budget process and revenue sources: City Budget.

How do I appeal my property tax levy?

Each year in May City Council sets the municipal property tax rates for each assessment class. This decision is done after much deliberation during the budget process in the fall in the prior year. 

Property owners do not have a mechanism to appeal their property taxes, however, they can appeal their property assessment each year with BC Assessment. The appeal submission deadline is January 31st. More information: BC Assessment - Appeal

What is the Tax year?

Property taxes are levied annually in May for the calendar year (January to December), therefore a portion of the taxes are paid in arrears and a portion in advance.

How do I change the name(s) of the property owners shown on the Tax Notice?

Any changes to the ownership of a property, including name changes, should be filed with Land Titles Survey and Authority. 

Victoria Land Title Office
Suite 200 -1321 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 9J3
Phone:1-877-577-LTSA (5872) or 604-660-0380

I received a Tax Notice for which I no longer own. What should I do?

Pursuant to the Community Charter a Tax Notice must be delivered to each holder of a registered charge in relation to the property whose name is included in the assessment roll. This means that the City is required to issue a Tax Notice to owners as per BC Assessment's revised assessment roll issued at the end of March each year.

The City endeavours to issue a Tax Notice to new owners between the tax generation day (mid-May) and mid-June.

If you receive a Tax Notice for a property you no longer own you can a) return it to the City or b) forward to the new owner, if possible.

How do I make payment for the property taxes?

Please visit the Property Tax Payment information page.