In response to financial hardship caused by COVID-19, the District of Squamish is deferring its
annual auction of properties that haven't paid taxes.
The tax sale affects "delinquent" cases where property taxes haven't been paid for two years.
On July 28, council voted unanimously in favour of delaying the auction by one year. All three readings and adoption of the bylaw passed that meeting. As a result, the tax sale will occur on Sept. 27, 2021.
The municipality's chief financial officer, Heather Boxrud, said that this year, there are 56 delinquent cases, all of them involving residential owners.
In total, she said this represents $132,000 in taxes owed. Interest will continue to be charged on these accounts.
"This bylaw may provide some relief for those property owners during this time," said Boxrud.
At the same time of year in 2019, there was $221,000 owed from delinquent cases, and $166,000 the year before. However, all the money was collected before the tax sale deadline.
Boxrud said that the District has not gone to tax sale in several years.
The sale normally occurs on the last Monday of September.
Notices will be sent to the affected homeowners.
