It’s that time of year again. If you own a home anywhere in the Fraser Valley, your 2026 property tax notice has arrived, and the deadline is fast approaching. Here’s your friendly reminder of what’s due, when, and how to avoid an unnecessary penalty.
Mark your calendar: July 2, 2026
For many Fraser Valley municipalities, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission, property taxes are due on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Always confirm the due date shown on your own property tax notice, as dates are set municipally.
If you miss it, a 5% penalty is applied to any unpaid balance right after the deadline, and a second penalty follows later in the summer or fall. The exact date of that second penalty varies from city to city, so check your tax notice for the specifics. Either way, that’s potentially 10% added to your bill, so it’s worth handling early.
The thing most people forget: claim your Home Owner Grant
This is the single most common and most expensive mistake we see every year. The BC Home Owner Grant doesn’t apply automatically. You have to claim it yourself, every single year, and you do it through the Province of B.C., not your municipality, and not your bank or mortgage company.
Here’s the catch: if you don’t claim the grant by the due date, the unclaimed amount is treated exactly like unpaid tax, meaning it gets hit with the same penalty. So even if your mortgage company pays your property taxes for you, or you’re on an instalment plan, you still need to claim the grant on your own by the due date.
Throughout the Fraser Valley, the basic grant is up to $570. Seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities may qualify for an additional grant, increasing the total relief available. The full grant is available on homes assessed at or below the provincial threshold, which is adjusted periodically by the Province.
How to claim it:
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Online, 24/7, at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant
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By phone at 1-888-355-2700
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Have your Social Insurance Number and your property tax notice handy
It takes about five minutes. Don’t leave that money on the table.
How to pay your taxes
Most Fraser Valley municipalities offer online banking, in-person payments, and cheque payments, although specific payment methods vary by municipality. A few general tips:
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Online or telephone banking: add your city as a payee (look for the “Tax” or “Property Tax” payee, not Utilities). Pay at least three business days early so it arrives on time.
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Cheque: payable to your municipality and usually able to be postdated to the due date. Note that the postmark does not count as the payment date, so mail early.
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In person at your City Hall.
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Credit card: accepted by some cities (online only, with a service fee) but not all, so check before you rely on it.
One thing that’s consistent everywhere: financial institutions cannot accept your Home Owner Grant. That always goes through the Province separately.
Mortgage company paying your taxes?
If your lender collects property taxes as part of your mortgage payment, it’s still important to verify that the taxes have actually been paid, and to claim your Home Owner Grant separately. Many homeowners mistakenly assume the grant is handled automatically when taxes are paid through their mortgage lender. It is not.
Just bought or sold a home this year?
A couple of important notes:
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Property taxes remain payable even if a tax notice is not received. New owners should contact their municipality to confirm their balance and payment instructions.
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If you bought or sold during the year, eligibility for the Home Owner Grant has special rules depending on who occupied the home and whether the previous owner already claimed it. When in doubt, check gov.bc.ca or give us a call.
A final reminder
Two simple actions before your property’s tax due date:
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Pay your property tax (or confirm your mortgage company has).
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Claim your Home Owner Grant through the Province, even if your taxes are paid for you.