Confusion over homeowner grants

 Monday, 27 May 2013 18:00 J.P. SQUIRE Kelowna Daily Courier
Property owners in the Okanagan who turn 65 this year should read the information on their property tax notices carefully.  From Penticton to Vernon, local governments are using wording from the provincial Ministry of Finance in what's titled Provincial Home Owner Grant Explanation Notes. Those notes say property owners may qualify for an additional grant "if you are over 65." In fact, if you turn 65 anytime during 2013, you qualify for the larger grant from the province.  The difference between the standard homeowner grant and senior grant is significant: $770 versus $1,045. However, you do have until the end of the year to correct your application and a one-year extension is possible.  Even a brochure on the Home Owner Grant Program distributed by the ministry says: "Registered owners or eligible occupants who are 65 or older... may qualify for the additional grant." Nowhere does it mention anyone who turns 65 during the year.When read that paragraph, a ministry spokesman replied incorrectly: "You would apply for the (senior) grant next year." The ministry official admitted no one, not even he, reads every word on the wordy property tax notices.  A Penticton city official said they use the "required" ministry wording in the notes, but have simplified the wording on the application form to state the property owner is or will be 65 during the calendar year.  The explanatory notes on Kelowna's 2013 property tax notice say: "If born in 1948 or earlier (you are 65-plus), complete this box (year/month/day) on front of notice."  "We do have it where most people read on the face of the notice. Right under Senior Grant, it says (age 65 or over during this calendar year)," noted Kelowna taxation analyst George King.  "My experience is most people don't go into that detail (the explanatory notes). If someone was reading that, they might get confused. Now that I read it, I will take the (You are 65-plus) out of there next year for sure."  The District of Lake Country tax notice notes say: "You may qualify for the additional grant if you are over 65." The City of Vernon has the same wording.   Both have a similar 10-paragraph grant application stating: "I am or will be 65 or over during this calendar year."   "We try to make it explicit that any home owner that is a primary occupant (e.g. eligible for the regular grant) and is 65, or turning 65 anytime during the calendar year, can claim the additional grant," said Karen Miller, Lake Country's communications officer.  Lake Country's 2013 Budget, Property Tax & Home Owner Grant Information brochure also states: "You may qualify for the additional (senior) grant if you meet the regular grant qualifications and are 65 or older during the calendar year."  Cindy Barker, Vernon's revenue supervisor, agreed the notes are confusing and promised to make wording changes next year.   Several local officials suggested any complaints go directly to the province.