B.C. to reclassify rural recreational properties

Owners of some commercial rural recreational properties in British Columbia may soon catch a break on their local-level taxes going forward.

Bill Bennett, the province’s rural development minister, announced last week that the province would amend tax law to allow “portions” of fishing resorts, wilderness camps and guide outfitter camps to be taxes as recreational, rather than commercial, properties.

“Rural recreational accommodation properties are currently subject to business property tax rates, which can be much higher than recreational property tax rates,” Bennett said in a release.

The change will be put in place for the 2010 assessment roll, the province said.

The provincial assessment agency, BC Assessment, estimated about 1,300 rural recreational accommodation properties will be affected by the new regulation, for total tax savings of $500,000 to $600,000, based on 2009 tax rates.

“As we work to meet our goal of doubling tourism revenues by 2015, we need to support rural recreational accommodation businesses in every corner of this province,” Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger said in the same release.

“This amendment will make it easier for these business owners to continue to host tourists in some of B.C.’s most unique locations.”

“These businesses contribute significantly to the allure of the province’s most remote locations, and attract thousands of tourists annually who are interested in outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, kayaking, mountain climbing and hiking,” Jim Storie, chairman of the province’s Council of Tourism Associations, said in the same release.