In early December, BC Assessment provided early notification to property owners who are projected to expect a large increase above the average change in their local taxing jurisdiction (i.e., municipality) on their upcoming 2023 assessment notice.
Additionally, properties that were projected to have a classification and or exemption change were also notified.
Please be advised that your Early Notification Letter may have listed the incorrect complaint (appeal) deadline. The first opportunity to file a complaint on your 2023 property assessment is January 1, 2023. The deadline to file a complaint on your 2023 property assessment is January 31, 2023.
Why did I receive an Early Notification Letter?
There are a number of reasons why a property owner may receive an Early Notification letter. Below are three of the most common reasons.
1. Assessed value change of high above the average change in the jurisdiction for your property class.
For example, you own a residential (property class 1) single family home in the City of Langley. Your home is expected to increase in value 30 per cent when compared to the 2022 assessment. The average change for residential properties in the City of Langley is projected to be 5 per cent. Since your projected value increase of 30 per cent is 25 per cent higher than the projected average change, your taxes are likely to increase, so you will receive an Early Notification Letter.
2. Classification Change
On your 2022 property assessment, your property had a residential class. Over the course of the year, the property changed from a residential use (property class 1 - Residential) to a commercial use (property class 6 – Business/Other). Since the tax rate for commercial properties is higher than the tax rate for residential properties, your taxes are likely to increase, so you will receive an Early Notification Letter.
3. Exemption Change
On your 2022 property assessment, your property had a tax exemption due to part of the property being classed as a farm. Over the course of the year, the farm ceased operation and returned to being classed as residential (property class 1 - Residential).
Since you will no longer be receiving a tax exemption, your taxes are likely to increase, so you will receive an Early Notification letter.
If you have further questions about your letter and why you received it, please
contact us.
2023 assessments for all properties will be released on January 3rd, 2023, and all 2023 Assessment Notices will be mailed to property owners during the first week of January. Our website at
bcassessment.ca will be updated on January 3rd, 2023 with access to 2023 property information including assessment details for all properties via our popular
Assessment Search feature, a variety of statistics, and extensive lists of the top valued properties, both regionally and province-wide.
