BC Speculation & Vacancy Tax Calculator
Estimate your BC SVT based on ownership type, occupancy, and property value.
Property Details
Other designated areas include Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Squamish, Vernon, Penticton, Courtenay, Comox and more — check the BC government's taxable-areas map.
You Are Likely Exempt
$0 / year
Principal residence exemption applies (Canadian citizen/PR, BC tax resident)
Exemption Details
• This calculator provides estimates only. Final SVT amounts are determined by the BC government.
• All property owners in SVT zones must file an annual declaration regardless of exemption status.
• The Empty Homes Tax in Vancouver is separate from the provincial SVT.
• Untaxed worldwide earner status depends on where your household income is reported — consult a tax professional.
Understanding BC's Speculation and Vacancy Tax
The BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax (SVT) is an annual tax introduced in 2018 by the provincial government to discourage housing speculation and encourage property owners to make their homes available to BC residents. It applies to residential properties in designated zones across British Columbia, primarily in high-demand urban areas where housing affordability has become a significant concern.
Who Pays and Who Is Exempt?
The vast majority of BC residents are exempt from the SVT. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is a BC tax resident, own a home in a designated area and it is your principal residence, you owe nothing. Owners who rent the property to qualifying tenants for at least 6 months of the year are also exempt. Owners without an exemption pay a rate that depends on who they are: for the 2026 tax year, 3% for foreign owners and untaxed worldwide earners (including satellite families) and 1% for other Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Those rates were 2% and 0.5% through 2025, and the higher rate rises to 4% for 2027.
Designated Areas
The SVT applies in Metro Vancouver, the Capital Regional District (Greater Victoria), and designated municipalities including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Summerland, Salmon Arm, Squamish, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Duncan, North Cowichan, Ladysmith and Lake Cowichan. If your property is outside these areas, you are not subject to the SVT. However, some municipalities have their own vacancy taxes (like Vancouver's Empty Homes Tax), which are separate from the provincial SVT.
Declaration and Deadlines
Every residential property owner in an SVT-designated area must complete an annual declaration. The BC government mails declaration packages in January and February each year, and you can also complete the declaration online. The typical deadline is March 31. Even if you are exempt, you must still file. If you don't declare, your property is assessed at the highest rate until you complete the declaration.