NOTE: Please pay 3 to 4 days ahead of the due date to allow for bank processing times and to avoid the risk of penalty due to late receipt.
Pay by Credit Card
The City of Merritt is now accepting online payments with select credit cards through the secure OptionPay System (with applicable third-party fees). Payments for some services may now be paid by credit card in addition to the previous option to pay directly through internet banking. Please note some services may still need to be paid in person at Municipal Hall or the Merritt Civic Centre.
Services Currently Offered on OptionPay
To make your payments online, there are certain numbers on your notices/bills that will be required. Click the service type below for instructions on how to find the numbers required to make your payments.
Utility Payments
To pay your utility bill using OptionPay, you need the UTILITY ACCOUNT NUMBER. This can be found on your utility bill. If you have questions about your utility invoice, please contact finance@merritt.ca or call 250-378-4224. Click here to see a sample utility bill.
Property Tax Payments
You will be asked for your ROLL NUMBER when entering payment information for your property taxes. This can be found on your tax notice. If you have questions about your property tax notice please email finance@merritt.ca or call 250-378-4224. Click here to see a sample property tax notice.
Please remember eligible property owners must claim the Home Owner Grant every year separately from payment of property taxes. Effective 2021, all home owner grant applications are to be submitted directly to the province. Residents in municipalities no longer apply through their municipal office.
Business Licence Payments
To make a payment for your business licence, please include the CUSTOMER NUMBER. For more information on business licensing, please contact our Economic Development Office via email ecdev@merritt.ca or call 250-378-8623. Click here to see a sample Business Licence invoice.
If you are applying for a new business licence, please see our Business Licence page for more information. Get the current Business Licence Application form here.
Accounts Receivable Payments
To make a payment for an Accounts Receivable invoice, please include the CUSTOMER NUMBER. If you have questions about an A/R invoice, please email finance@merritt.ca or call 250-378-4224. Click here to see a sample Accounts Receivable invoice.
Building/Development Permit Payments
If you would like to explore options to pay for a Building or Development Permit online by credit card, please contact us at 250-378-8615 to speak with a Building/Development Clerk to generate an invoice specific to your application. If you already have an invoice, please refer to Accounts Receivable Payments (above) for payment instructions.
FAQ | OptionPay
OptionPay FAQs
What is OptionPay?
OptionPay is a payment card system the District of Lake Country uses for its online credit card transactions. You can find out more information about OptionPay by visiting their website here.
Is there an added fee for using OptionPay to pay City of Merritt bills with my credit card?
Yes. All transactions carried out through OptionPay follow a tiered fee schedule, starting at a minimum fee of $2.00. To see the full fee schedule for using this payment option, please visit their fee schedule here
Why is there an added fee to pay with credit card?
The fees are administered through the OptionPay program for the use of their service and not through the City of Merritt.
Is my credit card information secure with this program?
OptionPay provides information on their security measures here. Please note that the City of Merritt takes no responsibility for, and accepts no liability, in the event of security breaches, technical difficulties, or other issues that may arise from your use of OptionPay. All users accept responsibility for their use of this service and do so at their own risk.
Online Banking
For City of Merritt Property Taxes and Utility Bills, residents may use their bank or credit union to make an Online Payment.
Online Banking Options
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Scotia Bank/Tangerine
- CIBC/Simplii
- TD Bank
- BMO
- Credit Union
NOTE: Please allow 3-4 business days for your bank to process your payment.
Internet banking for Property Taxes
Search for “Merritt” (Taxes) as a payee and use your 11 digit roll number found on your tax notice as the account number (starting with 451) with no spaces or decimals (i.e. 45101999030). Through your bank, you can set up reoccurring monthly bill payments or make your final payment.
More information about Property Tax
Internet banking for Paying Utilities
Search for “Merritt” (Utilities) as a payee and use your 11 digit account number found on your utility invoice as the account number. Through your bank, you can set up reoccurring monthly bill payments or make your final payment.
Monthly Payments
You can avoid large lump sum payments by setting up reoccurring monthly payments through your online banking for both your City of Merritt Property Taxes and Utilities. Add the City of Merritt as a payee and set-up automatic payments.
Contact City Hall at 250-378-4224 (email: finance@merritt.ca) to check your tax and utility account balances prior to the tax deadline and utility discount deadline.
OTHER PAYMENT OPTIONS
Telephone Banking
Follow telephone banking procedures for your financial institution.
Drop off Payment at Drop Box
Drop box is located on the right side of City Hall. Remember to write your tax roll number or utility account number on your cheque.
Pay by Mail
Attention: Property Tax at 2185 Voght Street, Box 189, Merritt, BC, V1K1B8. Please write the tax roll number or utility account number on your cheque and ensure that the cheque is payable to the City of Merritt. Post-dated cheques are accepted. Mail lost or delayed by the post office will be assessed with a penalty if late, as the postmark will not be considered as the date of payment. Mail us a post-dated cheque early to avoid penalties. In the event of a postal disruption, please utilize alternative payment methods to ensure that payment is received by the due date.
Pay in Person at City Hall
Methods of payment accepted are cash, debit card, money order or cheque payable to the City of Merritt. Visit City Hall at 2185 Voght Street 8:00 am to 5:45 pm, Tuesday through Friday (closed for lunch from 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm).
Pay at your Financial Institution
Use your original current tax notice to make payment. Reprints of tax notices will not be accepted at financial institutions. The City of Merritt is not responsible for errors made by financial institutions. Not all banks will accept City of Merritt bill payments so please follow up with your financial institution to find out more. Owners are responsible to ensure that payment of their annual property taxes is received at City Hall by the due date to avoid penalty. As some banking institutions hold payments before forwarding them to the City of Merritt or are located in different time zones, avoid the risk of a penalty being applied by paying online a few days before the deadline.
Mortgage Company
If your taxes are paid by a mortgage company bank will retain a portion of your mortgage payment to be allocated to property taxes. The bank will forward to the City of Merritt the outstanding balance of your taxes, taking into consideration your Home Owner Grant if eligible. The City of Merritt is not responsible for errors made by mortgage providers. Please ensure that your mortgage provider is aware if you are claiming the grant each year.