Property Tax and Utility Payments:
Property Tax and Utility Payments:
There are several different ways to pay your property tax and utility bills.
Quick Links:
- Payments
- Pre-authorized Payment Program
- Home Owner Grant Program
- Tax Deferment Program
- 2021 Property Tax Newsletter
Online or Telephone Banking
You may pay your property taxes and utility bills through online banking with most financial institutions. To ensure your payment has been received by the City of Port Alberni as of the due date please make your payment prior to the due date. Payments are credited to your account as of the day it is processed by your financial institution so do not wait until the actual due date to pay online as most financial institutions do not process payments after 3:00pm.
Property Taxes
For property tax payments, your account number is the Folio Number (9 digit), which is located on the top right corner of your tax notice. Please see the list below for the specific payee details that pertain to your financial institution. If your financial institution is not listed, we are generally found as "Port Alberni", or "Port Alberni - Taxes".
| Financial Institution | City of Port Alberni Payee Name |
| Bank of Montreal | Port Alberni Taxes |
| CIBC | Port Alberni (City of) Taxes |
| Coastal Community Credit Union | Port Alberni City Taxes |
| RBC | Port Alberni BC, City of - Taxes |
| Scotiabank | Port Alberni (City) Taxes |
| Tangerine (ING) | City of Port Alberni Taxes |
| TD Canada Trust | Port Alberni, City of Taxes |
Utility Bills
For utility bill payments, use your Account Number (5 digit). Please see the list below for the specific payee details that pertain to your financial institution. If your financial institution is not listed, we are generally found as "Port Alberni - Utilities" or "Port Alberni".
| Financial Institution | City of Port Alberni Payee Name |
| Bank of Montreal | Port Alberni Utilities |
| CIBC | Port Alberni (City of) Utilities |
| Coastal Community Credit Union | Port Alberni City Utilities |
| RBC | Port Alberni BC, City of - Utilities |
| Scotiabank | Port Alberni (City) Utilities |
| Tangerine (ING) | City of Port Alberni Utilities |
| TD Canada Trust | Port Alberni, City of Utilities |
At Your Financial Institution
You can pay your property taxes and utility bills at most financial institutions. For your payment to be considered on time, you must have a receipt from your bank with a date stamped on or before the due date. Please note that financial institutions no longer accept Home Owner Grants on the Province of BC's behalf.
In Person
City Hall is reopening on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, hours of operation will be 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday - closed on statutory holidays. Payments can also be made through one of the following options:
- Online through your internet banking account
- In person at the bank or through the bank machine
- Dropbox-at City Hall
- By Mail to City Hall
After Hours Mail Drop Box
We have a convenient secure 24-hour drop box located to the right of the front entrance of City Hall off Argyle Street. The drop box is for all non-cash payments. Payments received in the drop box after 4:30pm on the tax due date are considered late.
Send your payment to:
City of Port Alberni - Finance Department
4850 Argyle Street,
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1V8.
All residents and businesses are encouraged to mail payments early. Payments by mail must be received by 4:30 pm on the applicable due date to avoid penalty.
Mortgage Company
If you have made arrangements through your mortgage company to have your financial institution pay your property taxes, they will receive your tax information directly from the City of Port Alberni. Property owners eligible for the Home Owner Grant must still complete their application each year prior to the deadline. If you are unsure whether your mortgage company is paying your property taxes on your behalf you can contact the City of Port Alberni Finance Department to confirm the information we have on file.
Pre-authorized Payment Programs
Property Tax Prepayment Plan
After your current property taxes have been paid, enroll in our automatic monthly prepayment program for next year. The program includes ten fixed amount automatic debits from your bank account on the 15th day of each month from August to May. Interest is paid to you on a monthly basis. Any outstanding balance on the Tax Notice is the responsibility of the homeowner and will incur penalties if not paid by the tax due date.
Property Tax Prepayment Plan Application Form
Property Tax Monthly Direct Debit Plan
Unlike the Prepayment plan, this program does not require your taxes to be paid in full before enrollment and is aimed at those who want year round consistency in payments. This program requires 12 equal monthly payments (you choose the amount) taken by automatic debit from your bank account on the 15th day of each month.
Property Tax Monthly Direct Debit Application Form
Utility Pre-authorized Payment Plan
The Utility Pre-authorized Payment Plan allows residents and businesses to avoid both line ups and late payment penalties. The total amount of your utility bill will be taken from your bank account by automatic debit on the due date of your bill.
Utility Pre-authorized Payment Plan Application Form
Application forms, along with a void cheque or account information supplied by a bank can be mailed, emailed or delivered to the City of Port Alberni Finance Department.
Property Tax Inquiries: Lori Bos (250) 720-2816 or lori_bos@portalberni.ca
Utilities Inquiries: Amy Mayo (250) 720-2841 or amy_mayo@portalberni.ca
Home Owner Grant Program
The Provincial Home Owner Grant (HOG) program helps reduce the amount of residential property taxes British Columbians pay. The grant is available each year to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who live in British Columbia. You must apply for the grant with the Province every year if you are eligible. There are three different types of Home Owner Grants; Regular, Seniors and Persons with disabilities.
The City of Port Alberni and Financial Institutions cannot accept Home Owner Grants applications.
Starting in 2021, residents in municipalities no longer apply for the home owner grant through their municipality office. The Province of BC is now entirely responsible for the Home Owner Grant program.
How to apply?
All eligible B.C. home owners can apply for their 2021 homeowner grant now:
- Apply 24/7 online: www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant/apply
- Apply with an agent: Toll-Free 1-888-355-2700 (Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm)
- Apply 24/7* using a voice recognition application: Toll-free 1-888-355-2700 (With option to connect to a live agent during business hours)
*Homeowners can use the voice recognition application, if application is for regular grant or additional grant for their principal residence.
Home Owner Grant Inquiries: If you have questions about the Home Owner Grant program or the application process, please call 1-888-355-2700 Toll-Free in BC or 250-387-0555 (outside B.C.) or visit the Province of BC's website www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant
Tax Deferment Program
The Property Tax Deferment Program is a low-interest loan program offered by the Province of British Columbia to assist qualifying homeowners in paying annual property taxes on their principle residence. There are two programs that City residents may qualify for:
Families with Children Program
You may qualify for this program if you're a parent, stepparent or financially supporting a child.
Regular Program
You may qualify for this program if you’re:
- 55 or older during the current year or
- a surviving spouse of any age or
- a person with disabilities
Other criteria are the property must be your principal residence; and you need 25% minimum equity in your home; and current fire insurance in place.
Starting May 2020 the Property Tax Deferment program will launch a new online Property Tax Deferment application to make deferring your taxes easier – eliminating the need for paper forms and allowing you to auto renew your application directly with the Province of B.C. through eTaxBC.
email taxdeferment@gov.bc.ca.