I spent two days this week at the BC Assessment Office on Robson Street appealing the application of the Additional School Tax on a West Vancouver property for which I have served as a planning and development consultant since 2021. While most people know this tax as the 'Luxury Tax' imposed on homes worth more than $3 million in 2018, what few people know is it also applies to residential development sites awaiting a start of construction. You can find some details below:
Since a decsion has not yet been released on my appeal, I prefer not to discuss the details any further. But as someone familiar with the Property Assessment Appeal Board wrote to me after reading the BC Assessment lawyer's 64 page submission " Look what poorly written legislation begets. A ton of stated cases with various interpretations."
Hopefully after the decision on my case is released, the government, along with appraisers, lawyers, UDI, and others in the development community who are being seriously harmed by the tax can work together and improve the legislation. In the meantime, in addition to having an Empty Condo Tax, we will be stuck with a confusing, unfair and totally ill-conceived Empty Development Site Tax. And it will be increasing 50% on January 1, 2027.
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