Other municipalities, including HRM, offer Property Tax Deferral. Seniors and other low-income homeowners should not risk losing their home while adjusting to rapidly increasing expenses.
A reddit user gave me this idea actually! The Province of British Columbia offers property tax deferment for eligible individuals and families with children. HRM offers a property tax deferment and exemption program. Halifax's program is part of a comprehensive Affordable Access Program where one application opens up access to all of the programs you are eligible for. The Affordable Access Program includes discounts or fee exemptions on recreation and transit passes. This is an incredible model for CBRM to learn from.
CBRM's Low Income Property Tax Credit was introduced in 2018 and expanded in 2022. Property owners with household incomes less than $35,000 annually are eligible for up to $300 off their property taxes. Last year CBRM extended the application deadline because they had half as many applicants as usual. Security concerns is the rationale the Chief Administrative Officer gave as to why the application is only accepted in person or by mail. Halifax allows email submissions for their comparable program. The BC program offers an online submission through eTaxBC.
Most low-income people are already full to the brim with stuff to remember and worry about. Surely we can find more accessible ways to accept applications and expand existing programs to include a deferral option. HRM also offers a property tax payment option in bi-weekly or monthly payments instead of 2 big bills. I know that sort of program would help me with budgeting smarter.
These changes require Councillors invested in the Governance parts of the role. That's the most exciting part to me! Thoughtful Governance for Positive Change. This Election, vote for Krys, a candidate ready to learn and propose property tax remedies for CBRM without hasty too-steep tax cuts that benefit Loblaws more than Locals. Let's go for sustainable property tax reduction and targeted deferral and credit options for the most vulnerable citizens.
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