What is a Business Improvement Area tax?
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax helps fund programs and services that make our downtown a better place to work and shop. The Downtown Wrenford BIA operates as a non-profit corporation. Each year, the BIA board sets a budget for its activities and asks City Council to approve it. The City of Wrenford collects the tax and passes the full amount to the BIA.
Assessment notices are mailed to all businesses in the Downtown Wrenford BIA every February. You must pay your BIA tax by March 31.
How is my BIA tax calculated?
Your BIA tax is based on the typical net annual rental value of the space you use for your business. The City looks at commercial rental rates across Wrenford to figure out this value. We use data from property owners, managers, and tenants.
The calculation does not look at how much profit your business makes. It looks at the size and type of space you occupy. The formula is:
Occupied space × Typical net annual rental rate = Business assessment
Business assessment × City tax rate = Your BIA tax
Your assessment notice will show the typical net annual rental value for your space. This rate is based on market averages and may not match the exact rent you pay your landlord. Net rent covers the space itself, not operating costs like hydro or maintenance.
How do I pay my BIA tax?
The due date for your BIA tax is March 31. You can pay online through the Wrenford Business Portal, by mail, or in person at Wrenford City Hall.
Monthly Payment Plan
If you prefer to pay in smaller amounts, you can join the BIA Tax Monthly Payment Plan. Your tax amount will be withdrawn from your bank account on the first business day of each month. This plan helps you avoid late fees and spreads the cost over the year. You can join at any time between January 1 and December 31. If you join mid-year, your first withdrawal will cover the current year's taxes up to that month, plus any past-due amounts and a small administration fee.
Penalties for late payment
If you do not pay by March 31, a 5 per cent penalty is added to your balance on April 1. After May 1, an additional 1.25 per cent is added each month until the balance is paid in full. You can enroll in the monthly payment plan to avoid these penalties.
What if I disagree with my assessment?
If you think your assessment is wrong, contact the BIA assessor first. They can review your case and issue an amended notice if needed. You can also call 311 to discuss your assessment with City staff. There is no fee to have a staff member review your notice.
If you and the assessor cannot reach an agreement, you may file a formal complaint with the Assessment Review Board. The deadline and instructions are on the back of your assessment notice. Please note that you can only appeal the assessment value, not the tax rate set by Council.
How is the tax money used?
The Downtown Wrenford BIA uses the tax revenue to run programs that benefit local businesses and the downtown community. This includes marketing, street beautification, events, and business support services. The BIA board must share its annual budget with members and get approval from City Council before collecting the tax.
If you have questions about how the BIA spends its funds, contact the Downtown Wrenford BIA office directly. They can provide details on their annual report and upcoming projects.
Contact
For questions about your BIA tax notice or to enroll in the monthly payment plan, call 311 or visit Wrenford City Hall.
For details on BIA programs, budget, and downtown initiatives, visit Downtown BIA.