Tax installment payment plan
The City of Courtenay offers a payment plan for property owners who wish to pay their taxes in installments. Payments are made monthly through direct debit from your bank account.
Applying for a payment plan
To join the payment plan, submit a tax installment payment plan application form [PDF - 112 KB]
You must:
- Have a chequing account at a Canadian financial institution.
- Provide a void cheque or pre-authorized payment authorization.
- Submit your application by July 15 to enroll for the following tax year.
Property owners must sign an agreement with the City authorizing automatic withdrawals on the first day of each month, from August to May.
If you would like to apply partway through the year, submit your application at least 14 business days before the next withdrawal date (the first day of every month between August and May).
Payment options
You have two options for your monthly tax installment payments: calculated payments, which adjust automatically each year based on your previous year's taxes, or fixed payments, which remain the same unless you request a change.
Calculated payments
- Your monthly installment amount is calculated from your previous year’s gross taxes, minus any home owner grant (if claimed).
- The total is divided into 10 equal monthly payments.
- Installment amounts are automatically recalculated each year.
- This is an estimate and may not cover your full tax amount.
- If there is any balance owing, you must pay it by the due date to avoid penalties.
Fixed payments
- You and the City agree on a set monthly payment.
- This amount stays the same each year unless you request a change in writing.
- To request a change, submit a tax installment payment plan change request [PDF - 85 KB]
- If there is any balance owing on your tax bill, you must pay it by the due date to avoid penalties.
Missed payments
- Missed payments are subject to a service charge set by the City of Courtenay.
- Your enrollment in the installment plan will be cancelled if two consecutive payments are missed.
Selling your property
If you sell your property, you must cancel your installment plan.
- Payments do not stop automatically when you sell your property.
- Notify the Finance department in writing at least 14 business days before the next scheduled payment by submitting a tax installment payment plan change request [PDF - 85 KB].
Updating your banking information
If you need to update your banking information while on the payment plan:
- Notify the Finance department in writing at least 14 business days before the next scheduled payment by submitting a tax installment payment plan change request [PDF - 85 KB].
- Include a void cheque or pre-authorized payment authorization.