Farm Extension Program

If you are a bona fide farmer in a rural area, you may receive a penalty-free time extension for payment of current year property taxes. The extension was developed to help farmers whose crops are not harvested and sold until fall.

Approved applications extend the July 2 property tax due date, without penalty, until October 31st of the year. After October 31, a 10% penalty is added to any outstanding tax balance.

The extension for payment of farm land property taxes is given to properties that meet all the following criteria:

Property classifications are set by BC Assessment under the Assessment Act . For information on having your property considered for farm classification, please contact BC Assessment.

Your farm property may also qualify for an assessment exemption that lowers your property taxes. To determine if your farm qualifies for an exemption, contact your local area assessor at BC Assessment.

There are three ways you can apply for the Farm Extension Program:

1. Contact your local Service BC-Government Agent office and request a copy of the Farm Extension Application. Once completed, send the application to the Surveyor of Taxes office.
2. Use our online application form.
3. Send a written request to the Surveyor of Taxes office to extend your current year Rural Property Tax deadline to October 31. Be sure to include your name, telephone number, and return address.

No matter how you apply, please indicate the property account number(s) for which an extension is being requested. Also, your application must be postmarked on or before the property tax due date of July 2 or it will be denied.

You only need to apply once for the farm extension, as it is automatically renewed each year if you qualify.