How much is the BC Spec tax?
Mia Phillips
Updated on March 06, 2026
Last updated in December of 2019, the speculation tax in B.C. is: 0.5% for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 2.0% of the property’s assessed value for foreign owners, satellite families, and other non citizens or PR.
Do I have to pay BC speculation tax?
The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax paid by some owners of residential properties in designated taxable regions of B.C. More than 99% of British Columbians are expected to be exempt from the tax.
How do I declare for speculation and vacancy tax?
Complete your speculation and vacancy tax declaration
- phone 833 554-2323 (toll-free in Canada and the US) or 604 660-2421 (international), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time). Service is available in multiple languages; or.
- email: [email protected]
How do I avoid empty property tax?
To be exempt from the Empty Homes Tax, each property needs to be either:
- Used as a principal residence for at least six months of the current year; or.
- Rented for residential purposes for at least six months of the current year in periods of 30 or more consecutive days.
Who pays BC speculation tax?
Speculation and Vacancy Tax Rate The tax is charged on each owner’s share of the assessed value of the residential (class 1) property. If there are 2 joint owners, then each will pay based on 50% of the assessed value.
Who pays the speculation tax in BC?
The number of satellite families paying the tax (families with the bulk of their income coming from outside Canada) fell from 2,628 to 1,579. B.C. residents pay a speculation tax of 0.5 per cent, while the rate for foreign owners and satellite families rose to two per cent on Dec. 31, 2019.
How do I avoid speculation tax in BC?
To claim an exemption from the tax, each and every owner of residential property in the affected areas must file a declaration form by March 31st of every year. The province is mailing out information to all property owners in the affected areas. The declaration can be filed online, or can be done over the phone.
What is the empty home tax in BC?
3%
The BC Empty Home Tax applies to anybody who owns property in the city of Vancouver. This municipal tax was designed to reduce the number of vacant homes in the area, and the rate was just increased to 3% in 2021 – up from 1.25% in 2020.
How much is Vancouver’s empty home tax?
VANCOUVER — The empty homes tax in Vancouver will more than double next year, the city announced Wednesday. Council voted in favour of increasing the tax from 1.25 per cent to three per cent for 2021. The current rate still applies for 2020 declarations, which are due by Feb. 2.
How much is bc empty property tax?
The BC Empty Home Tax applies to anybody who owns property in the city of Vancouver. This municipal tax was designed to reduce the number of vacant homes in the area, and the rate was just increased to 3% in 2021 – up from 1.25% in 2020.
What’s new in speculation and vacancy tax-British Columbia?
Learn more at B.C. provincial budget tax changes. The speculation and vacancy tax website is updated to include new information about tax assessments and how to correct your declaration. The speculation and vacancy tax declaration period is now open. Declaration letters begin mailing this week.
Where to find spec tax regions in BC?
URL: The speculation and vacancy tax is designed to prevent housing speculation and help turn vacant and underutilized properties into homes for people who live and work in the province.
Do you get tax credit for secondary property in BC?
B.C. owners – B.C. owners are eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,000 on a secondary property. This means an owner of a home who has a home assessed at up to $400,000 and would otherwise pay the tax will be exempt.
Are there any tax credits for foreign owners in BC?
Foreign owners and satellite families – Foreign owners and satellite families can claim a tax credit equal to 20% of their B.C. income. The tax credit cannot reduce the tax rate below the rate for an equivalent B.C. resident (zero on a principal residence or 0.5% on other properties).