Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about the BC property assessment appeal process.
How do I dispute my property tax assessment in BC?
Despite the name, you're disputing your property assessment (the assessed value BC Assessment sets), not your property tax bill directly, since your tax bill is just that value multiplied by your municipality's tax rate. To dispute it, file a complaint with the Property Assessment Review Panel (PARP) by January 31, using recent comparable sales as evidence that your assessed value is too high. See our full step-by-step guide or run our free check to see if it's worth doing.
Is my assessment worth appealing?
It depends on whether your assessed value is actually higher than what comparable properties sold for around the valuation date, not simply on how much it increased from last year. Our free check gives a general read, but a professional review of your specific comparables is the most reliable way to know.
Is it free to file a complaint?
Yes, filing with the Property Assessment Review Panel (the first level) is free. If you need to escalate to the Property Assessment Appeal Board, there's a $30 fee for residential properties.
What's the deadline?
January 31 each year, moved to the next business day if that falls on a weekend. See current deadlines for confirmed dates.
Can my assessment go up if I appeal?
Yes. An appeal is a full review of your property's assessed value; it can be confirmed, decreased, or, in rare cases, increased if the evidence supports it.
Do I need a lawyer?
No, a PARP hearing is designed for homeowners to represent themselves. Some people choose to work with a property tax professional, which is what our referral connects you with, but it isn't required.
What if PARP says no?
You can appeal to the Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB) by April 30. This is a firm deadline with no extensions.
What is the Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB)?
PAAB is the second, more formal level of appeal for BC property assessments, separate from and higher than PARP. You go to PAAB only if you disagree with your PARP decision, or if PARP didn't decide in time. It typically starts with a phone conference before any hearing, costs $30 to file for a residential property, and its April 30 deadline is firm with no extensions. See our full guide for what a PAAB appeal actually involves.
What exactly is BC Assessment, and how is it different from my municipality?
BC Assessment is a separate provincial Crown corporation that determines your property's assessed value each year. Your municipality then sets a tax rate (mill rate) and applies it to that value to calculate your property tax bill. Appealing your assessment challenges the value; it has nothing to do with your municipality's tax rate or budget.
Is assessed value the same as market value?
They're meant to track closely but aren't always identical. Your assessed value reflects an estimate of what your property would likely have sold for on the July 1 valuation date of the prior year, using mass-appraisal methods applied across thousands of properties at once. Your actual market value today, established through a real sale or independent appraisal, can differ, especially in a fast-moving market or for a property with unusual features.
Can I appeal my BC assessment every year?
Yes. Each year's assessment is a fresh determination, and there's no penalty or limit on how many years in a row you file a complaint. Some homeowners review their notice every January and only file when the numbers don't line up with actual comparable sales.
What happens if I miss the January PARP deadline?
If you miss the PARP deadline, that year's assessment stands and you'll need to pay property tax based on it. There's no late-filing exception. You can, however, still call BC Assessment informally to flag a factual error, and you're free to file a complaint the following year if the same issue persists.
Does appealing my assessment affect my property tax rate?
No. A successful appeal lowers your property's assessed value, which in turn lowers your share of the total property tax collected in your municipality, but it does not change the tax rate (mill rate) itself, which is set separately by your municipal council based on its budget.
Will my neighbours find out I appealed?
Assessment rolls, including assessed values, are public information in BC, so anyone can already look up a property's assessed value. However, the fact that you specifically filed a PARP complaint isn't publicized or advertised to your neighbours.