How to submit your Empty Homes Tax declaration
The City's Empty Homes Tax is separate from the provincial government’s Speculation and Vacancy Tax. If you have an enquiry about the Province's tax, please refer to the Province's website External website, opens in new tab or call 1-833-554-2323.
Vancouver property owners must declare each year – even if you live in your home.
Only one property status declaration is required each year per property.
Failure to declare by the deadline will result in your property being deemed vacant and subject to a tax of 1% of its assessed taxable value and a $250 penalty.
Empty Homes Tax due dates
Unpaid tax added to property tax bill: December 31, 2019
Declaration for 2019: February 4, 2020
Empty Homes Tax payment for 2019: April 16, 2020
Before you begin your declaration
Your declaration should take approximately five minutes to complete.
You may give permission for someone to submit your declaration on your behalf.
What you will need:
- Your folio number and access code [these can be found on your property tax notices PDF file (100 KB)]
- Additional information, such as tenant names, court order number, permit number, etc.
Ensure you fulfill the requirements of your property status at the time you declare.
Additional information that may be required when submitting declaration
Please review and have all required information with you when you start your declaration.
Depending on your property status, you may be required to submit additional information.
2018 tax year late declarations
Do you still need to make a late declaration for the 2018 tax year? Do so before December 31, 2019, to contest your tax levy by submitting a notice of complaint.
Audit process
Property status declarations will be subject to an audit process, in line with best practices for provincial and federal tax programs. If your property is selected for an audit, you will be asked to provide evidence in support of your declaration.
False declarations will result in fines of up to $10,000 per day of the continuing offense, in addition to payment of the tax.
Need assistance with your online declaration?
Learn more about the Empty Homes Tax
Chat with an online representative
Access Live Chat
(Bottom right-hand corner of this page.)
Get assistance when making your online property status declaration
City staff will be available to assist you at City Hall during opening hours.
Vancouver City Hall
453 West 12th Avenue
Monday to Friday (except holidays)
8:30 am – 5pm
Line-ups may be long.
Staff at Vancouver Public Library locations External website, opens in new tab will also be available to assist you with technical and information support.
You will need a library card to access the computers at the library. If you don't have one, you can use a temporary internet card instead, which you can get by presenting your ID to the service desk at your local library.
Still have questions? Can't find an answer to your Empty Homes Tax question?
Phone 3-1-1
(Outside Vancouver: 604-873-7000)
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