WFN Home Owner Grant

• What is the Westbank First Nation home owner grant?
• Do I qualify for the regular grant?
• Remember to sign your grant application.
• Do I qualify for the additional grant?
• What is the minimum amount of property taxes before the grant applies?
• When is the deadline for applying?
• My mortgage company pays my taxes. Can I still get the grant?
• I’m a new owner, and my name is not on the tax notice. What should I do?
• Are there special definitions of owner for the home owner grant?
• What if the property is registered in a deceased lessee’s or manufactured home owner’s name?
• Where do I pay my taxes?

What is the Westbank First Nation home owner grant?

The home owner grant is offered by the Westbank First Nation to those residents of the Westbank First Nation reserve lands who qualify under the Home Owner Grant Policies of the Westbank First Nation. This brochure is intended for general guidance only.

There are two categories of grants: the regular grant and the additional grant. The regular grant reduces your taxes by as much as $570.00. The additional grant reduces your taxes by as much as $845.00

The grant does not apply to delinquent taxes or to penalties, interest or fees on them.

Do I qualify for the regular grant?

To qualify for the grant:

• you must be a permanent resident of British Columbia;
• you must be a registered owner of the home on which the grant is being claimed;
• the home must be located on the Westbank First Nation reserve lands and must be your principal residence--where you live and conduct your daily activities; and
• the current years net taxes are paid in full.

Spouses living together, including those in a common-law relationship for a continuous period of at least two years, can quality for a grant on only one residence in the province in a calendar year.

Spouses living apart cannot claim a grant on a second property they jointly or individually own, unless they have a notarized written separation agreement.

If you are under 65, are not disabled or don't receive a veteran's allowance, you may apply for the regular grant only.

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Remember to sign your grant application.

Complete, sign and return the home owner grant application on the back of your tax notice, along with your payment to the Westbank First Nation Taxation office by the due date on your current year tax notice. Do not send your application to your mortgage company.

Do I qualify for the additional grant?

You may apply for the additional grant if you meet the requirements of the original grant and you:

• are living in the home. If you own property but live somewhere else you do not qualify for the homeowner grant.
• as a homeowner must complete the homeowner grant form at the bottom of the property taxes form. This must be completed every year, and yes, even if you've lived here for 50 years and everybody knows you. It must be completed and received by the Municipal Office by the 1st business day of July. are 65 or older during this calendar year. If your home is jointly owned, only one owner need be 65 to qualify for the additional grant. The qualifying owner's birthdate and signature must appear on the grant application.
• are a veteran, or the spouse or widow/ widower of a veteran receiving an allowance under the Veterans Allowance Act (Canada) or the Civilian War Pensions and Allowances Act (Canada). Veterans must attach a recent cheque stub to the home owner grant application. Surviving spouses of deceased veterans who received either allowance at the time of their spouse's death also qualify for the additional grant.
• are disabled and receiving Handicapped Persons Income Assistance under the Guaranteed Available Income for Need Act (GAIN). A blank GAIN form may be obtained from the Westbank First Nation Taxation office. You must provide this form, signed by your GAIN representative verifying that you are receiving these benefits. Enclose a current signed form with your grant application.

Disabled people not receiving income assistance under GAIN, or property owners with physically disabled spouses or relatives residing permanently with them, may also qualify for the additional grant.

To be eligible, a Westbank First Nation signed medical certificate (blank medical certificates are available from the Westbank First Nation Taxation office) stating that the disabilities are permanent and require extensive physical assistance or costly modifications to the home in order for the disabled person to remain there. This form must be submitted to Westbank First Nation Taxation office.

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What is the minimum amount of property taxes before the grant applies?

You may claim the regular grant if your gross property taxes are greater than $500.00.

You may claim the additional grant if your gross property taxes are greater than $250.00.

When is the deadline for applying?

The deadline for applying for a grant without penalty is on the first business day following July 1 of the current taxation year.

You can apply for a grant until December 31st of the current taxation year, although penalty charges will apply.

Your grant application must be completed and signed for each taxation year.

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My mortgage company pays my taxes. Can I still get the grant?

If your mortgage company pays your property taxes on your behalf you may still qualify for the grant. However, it is still your responsibility to:

• complete, sign and return the home owner grant application on the back of your tax notice to the Westbank First Nation Taxation office by the due date. Do not send your grant application to your mortgage company.
• Make sure your mortgage company is paying the correct amount or property taxes minus your eligible home owner grant.

In order to avoid a duplicate payment or late payment penalty, confirm whom - you or your mortgage company - will be paying your taxes.

Please note: financial institutions cannot approve your home owner grant application.

I'm a new owner and my name is not on the tax notice. What should I do?

If your name is not on the tax notice and you are applying for the home owner grant, attach a copy of your lease document or, for manufactured homes, a copy of the registered Transfer of Ownership (Section 24 Certificate).

Are there special definitions of 'owner' for the home owner grant?

Owner is defined as the registered lessee of property on, or registered manufactured home owner situated on, Westbank First Nation Tsinstikeptum Indian Reserves #9 or #10. The lessee or mobile home owner must be bound underthe lease to pay current taxes.

If you are uncertain whether you qualify for the home owner grant, you must still apply by the first business day following July 1 in the current taxation year to avoid penalty.

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What if the property is registered in a deceased lessee's or manufactured home owner's name?

You may be eligible to claim the grant to which the deceased lessee or manufactured home owner would have been entitled, providing:

• the death occurred in the current taxation year;
• you are a relative (a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister) of the deceased;
• you occupy the property as your principle residence at the time of the death; and
• you have not claimed a grant on any other residence in the province for the current year.

After the year of the death, you may only claim the grant which you would otherwise be entitled.

Where do I pay my taxes?

You may visit us in person, or mail your cheque, along with the payment coupon / grant application from the bottom of your tax notice to:

Westbank First Nation

101 - 515 Hwy 97 South

KELOWNA, BC, V1Z 3J2

Community. Leadership. Pride

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