EDMONTON -- Property owners in Edmonton who are struggling with their bills as the COVID-19 pandemic continues will have some extra time to pay their 2020 property taxes.

Property taxes in Edmonton are due Tuesday but the city isn't charging fees for late payments until Aug. 31, 2020.

The city also has an option to set up a monthly payment plan.

The city expects more non-residential and rental property owners to defer payments.

"This is a really, really difficult time for people, in so many ways," Cate Watt with the city's assessment and taxation branch said. "And of course health and safety being of utmost importance, but we also recognize that this is a time of financial difficulty for many folks so the city really wants to do what it can."

The decision to extend the deadline was announced in March.

The city says it will collect just under $2.2 billion in property taxes this year.

Payments can be made at banks, with online or phone banking or through the mail. In-person payments at the Edmonton Service Centre downtown are not available due to the pandemic.