Close X
Saturday, January 11, 2025
ADVT 
National

Vancouver Empty Homes Tax To Include Secondary Units That Are Used For Airbnb

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Sep, 2016 01:54 PM
    Vancouver's proposed empty homes tax will include secondary units being booked full-time on the vacation rental website Airbnb, with the maximum fine for people who evade the levy set at $10,000.
     
    New details of the tax emerged at city hall where council voted to move forward with public consultation despite staunch opposition of three councillors from the centre-right Non-Partisan Association.
     
    Coun. George Affleck called the tax a "bureaucratic nightmare," while Coun. Elizabeth Ball said the proposal was frightening seniors who may have had to leave home to care for a sick loved one, for example.
     
     
    Mayor Gregor Robertson dismissed their concerns as "fear-mongering" and says the process for enforcing the tax — through self-declaration, audits and complaints — was the same as the income tax process.
     
    Robertson said $10,000 is the maximum fine the city can impose under its charter, but it will consider a combination of the fine plus a higher tax rate for people who fail to self-declare or fraudulently declare.
     
    The tax would not apply to primary residences, only secondary units such as investment condos that are not being used by a long-term tenant or units being exclusively used for Airbnb.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Emergency Crews Fight Apartment Fire In North Vancouver, B.C.

    Emergency Crews Fight Apartment Fire In North Vancouver, B.C.
    Media reports say at least two people have been taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

    Emergency Crews Fight Apartment Fire In North Vancouver, B.C.

    Man Arrested After Bringing Replica Gun Onto Vancouver Bus

    Man Arrested After Bringing Replica Gun Onto Vancouver Bus
    Police say Francis Boivin arrested and found to be in breach of probation conditions

    Man Arrested After Bringing Replica Gun Onto Vancouver Bus

    Happy Trails: Justin Trudeau Rides Off Into Sunset From Calgary Stamped

    "Can I get a ya-hoo?," Trudeau asked as he took the stage at a pancake breakfast hosted by his cabinet colleague Kent Hehr.

    Happy Trails: Justin Trudeau Rides Off Into Sunset From Calgary Stamped

    RCMP and CRA Warn That Variations Of The Taxpayer Scam Keep Victimizing Canadians

    RCMP and CRA Warn That Variations Of The Taxpayer Scam Keep Victimizing Canadians
    The RCMP and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are warning again about the “taxpayer scam” as Canadians continue to be victimized almost daily.

    RCMP and CRA Warn That Variations Of The Taxpayer Scam Keep Victimizing Canadians

    Black Lives Matter Vancouver Wants Police Float Out Of Pride Parade

    Black Lives Matter Vancouver Wants Police Float Out Of Pride Parade
    The Vancouver chapter said it stands with Black Lives Matter Toronto in its discontent with police marching in the parade.

    Black Lives Matter Vancouver Wants Police Float Out Of Pride Parade

    Calgary Man, 21, Dies From Fall In Yoho National Park In Field, B.C.

    Calgary Man, 21, Dies From Fall In Yoho National Park In Field, B.C.
    RCMP say the man was hiking with a group of friends in the alpine above the Little Yoho Campground on Thursday when he lost his footing and fell about 200 metres.

    Calgary Man, 21, Dies From Fall In Yoho National Park In Field, B.C.