The Home Owner Grant and Property Tax Deferment: What BC Homeowners Can Claim in 2026

Two provincial programs can lower or postpone your property tax bill, and plenty of BC homeowners miss out on at least one of them. Here is how the Home Owner Grant and property tax deferment work for the 2026 tax year, including the changes that took effect this year.

The short version

The Home Owner Grant

The grant reduces the property taxes you pay on the home you live in as your principal residence. For the 2026 tax year:

• Basic grant. Up to $570 in the Capital, Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts, and up to $770 in northern and rural areas.
• Additional grant. A total of up to $845 instead of $570, or $1,045 in northern and rural areas, if you are 65 or older, a veteran or a person with a disability.
• Threshold. The full grant applies to homes assessed at up to $2,075,000, down from $2,175,000 in 2025.
• Above the threshold. The grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value over $2,075,000. In the Capital, Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts, the basic grant is fully phased out above $2,189,000 and the additional grant above $2,244,000.

From the 2027 tax year, the extra amount for northern and rural areas ends, and the basic grant will be $570 everywhere in BC.

How to claim it

You must apply every year, and only one grant can be claimed per property each year. Claims go to the Province's Home Owner Grant Administration, online or by phone at 1-888-355-2700. Apply by your property tax due date, which is in early July in many municipalities, to avoid late payment penalties. If you have not claimed your 2026 grant yet, you can still apply until December 31, 2026, though a late payment penalty may already apply to the unpaid amount. If you missed last year's grant, you may still be able to claim it retroactively.

A quick example

If you are 67 and your Coquitlam home is assessed at $1.4 million, you could claim up to $845 off your 2026 property taxes. If the same home were assessed at $2.1 million, the grant would be reduced by $125, to $720.

Property tax deferment

Property tax deferment is a provincial loan program that pays your annual property taxes for you. The deferred taxes, plus interest, are repaid later, usually when the home is sold or transferred. There are two programs:

• Regular program. For homeowners aged 55 or older during the year, surviving spouses and persons with disabilities. You need at least 25% equity in your home.
• Families with children program. For parents, stepparents and others who financially support a child under 18. You need at least 15% equity.

For both, the home must be your principal residence, you must have lived in BC for at least a year, and any earlier property taxes must be paid. You renew the deferment each year. The Regular program charges a $60 fee on your first application and $10 on each renewal; the Families program has no fees.

The 2026 interest change

BC Budget 2026 changed the cost of deferring. Taxes deferred for 2026 and later now accrue interest at prime plus 2%, compounded monthly, in both programs, which works out to 6.45% for October to December 2026. Amounts deferred for 2025 and earlier keep their previous simple interest rates. Deferment is still useful for many owners, but it is no longer the bargain it once was, so compare it with your other options.

What this means when you sell

If you have deferred taxes, the balance is repaid from your sale proceeds when you sell, so it is worth knowing the amount before you list. Your assessed value also affects your grant, and I explain how assessments compare with market value in BC Assessment vs market value.

Questions homeowners often ask me

What is the Home Owner Grant threshold for 2026?

$2,075,000. The full grant applies to homes assessed at or below that amount, and it is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value above it.

How much is the Home Owner Grant in Metro Vancouver?

Up to $570, or up to $845 if you are 65 or older, a veteran or a person with a disability.

Do I have to apply for the Home Owner Grant every year?

Yes. You must claim it each year with the Province, online or by phone, ideally before your property tax due date to avoid penalties, and no later than December 31.

Who qualifies for property tax deferment in BC?

Homeowners aged 55 or older, surviving spouses and persons with disabilities with at least 25% equity, and families supporting a child under 18 with at least 15% equity. The home must be your principal residence.

What interest rate applies to deferred property taxes?

For taxes deferred for 2026 and later, prime plus 2%, compounded monthly. That is 6.45% for October to December 2026.

Thinking about selling? Request a free home evaluation and read my seller's checklist.

This article is general information, not tax or financial advice. Amounts are for the 2026 tax year. For details, see the Province's Home Owner Grant page.