Nanaimo - WelcomeBC

Money and Banking
The Central Vancouver Island Multicultural
Society hosts free income tax information
sessions where newcomers learn how to file
tax returns on their own. It also offers free
workshops where newcomers learn how to
claim foreign income (money they earn outside
of Canada). The society runs a volunteer
income tax preparation clinic for low-income
newcomers. At these clinics, a volunteer is there
to help people fill in their income tax returns.
Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
101 – 319 Selby Street
Tel: 250 753-6911
E-mail: admin@cvims.org
www.cvims.org
Volunteer income tax preparation clinics are
available from other Nanaimo organizations.
Check the Canada Revenue Agency’s website
for a list of volunteer tax clinics in Nanaimo:
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/
nanaimo-bc-eng.html
Child Tax Benefit
The Canada Child Tax Benefit is a monthly
payment to help families with the cost of
raising children under age 18. To qualify,
at least one parent must be a resident of
Canada and both parents must send in their
income tax forms every year, even if they
have no income to report. To apply, call
1 800 387-1193. For information, go
to: www.cra.gc.ca. You can also talk to a
settlement worker at your local immigrant
settlement agency.
Property taxes
Generally, everyone who owns a house, land,
or buildings must pay property tax. The City
of Nanaimo will send you a bill once a year
in July. If your property is outside Nanaimo,
the B.C. government will send you a bill. You
can also talk to your bank and arrange to pay
your property tax as part of your mortgage.
The tax must be paid in early July.
Property Tax Assistance
The Home Owner Grant Program reduces
the amount of property tax eligible British
Columbians pay on a home (principal
residence). The Home Owner Grant provides
a maximum reduction in residential property
taxes of $570. If you are over 65, permanently
disabled, or are an eligible veteran, you may
qualify for $275 more, for a total of $845.
Another $200 homeowner grant is available
for homeowners living outside the Capital,
Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley
Regional Districts. If you qualify, you will
receive this grant automatically when you
apply for the homeowner grant.
Homeowners must apply for this grant each
year. For more information, go to:
www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_
Taxes/Home_Owner_Grant/hog.htm
Property Tax Deferment Programs
Property tax deferment programs are lowinterest
loan programs that allow qualifying
residents to defer all or part of their property
taxes until they sell or transfer ownership of
their home, or it becomes part of an estate.
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