Assessment and Tax FAQ

• 1. How can I change the mailing address for my property tax account?

  Email Assessment with your:

  • roll number or property address
  • current mailing address
  • new mailing address

• 2. Can I change my School Support?

  Yes. School support notices are sent to all new owners or as requested.

  Education Property Tax is collected from all property owners in Alberta and pooled into the Alberta School Foundation Fund. It is then distributed to public and separate school boards on an equal per-student basis. Visit Alberta Education for further information.

  Contact Taxation at 780-464-8120 for a form or further information.

   

• 3. Are there any property tax programs for seniors?

  Yes, there are two programs currently available:

  Seniors Tax Deferral Program (Provincially funded) The Seniors Tax Deferral Program will allow eligible senior homeowners to defer all or part of their property taxes through a low-interest home equity loan with the Government of Alberta. Contact 780-644-9992, or Government of Alberta Seniors website for information

  Strathcona Senior's Property Tax Rebate (County funded) A flat $100 rebate, available to low-income seniors' households. You must be: 65 years of age or older, meet the Alberta Seniors Benefit program annual income guidelines and live in your own home in Strathcona County. Please apply in person at Family and Community Services at 200, 501 Festival Avenue, Sherwood Park. You will be required to complete an application form and provide income confirmation (bring your Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency). For further information contact Family & Community Services at 780-464-4044

• 4. Is there a penalty for not paying my taxes on time?

  Yes. Property taxes are due on June 29, 2018 (Your tax bill covers the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018) Taxes for the current calendar year that remain unpaid are subject to the following penalties: July 1 3 per cent , August 1 6 per cent, September 1 @ 9 percent

  Properties with tax arrears are subject to the tax recovery and sale process legislated through the Municipal Government Act.

• 5. Council approved a 2.18 per cent municipal tax decrease for the 2018 County budget. Does this mean my municipal taxes will go down by exactly this amount?

  The County municipal tax dollar decrease is 2.18 per cent. When the other three tax rates – library, housing and provincial education — are factored in, the total 2018 tax decrease is approximately 1.1 per cent.

  You may experience a tax increase or decrease, dependent on how your property assessment (market value estimate) has changed relative to the average (Tax Redistribution Effect). The average residential market value decrease is 1% (July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017), but if your specific property assessment (market value) has decreased less than 1% you will have a corresponding higher total tax increase.

• 6. Why do property taxes change each year?

  Taxes may change due to one or a combination of these factors: •a change in the Strathcona County annual budget or requisition requirements for municipal operations, Strathcona County Library, Heartland Housing Foundation or provincial education. •a particular property assessment (market value) changed more or less than the average.

• 7. How much of my total tax bill is used for Municipal Services?

  Of every residential property tax dollar:
  •60 per cent pays for municipal services
  •36 per cent is collected on behalf of the Government of Alberta for education
  •4 percent supports the Strathcona County Library and Heartland Housing Foundation

• 8. What services do I receive for my municipal taxes?

  Property taxes are not user fees, but are a way to fund programs and services fairly for the greater good of the whole community. Use the Property Tax Calculator to see how the County uses your municipal taxes.

• 9. What is my property assessment based on?

  The assessment and taxation process is governed by provincial legislation; your 2018 property assessment is based on a July 1, 2017 market value estimate, as measured by the real estate marketplace (i.e. property sales).

• 10. How do I know my property assessment is a reasonable market value estimate and how does it compare to other similar properties?

  Your property characteristics are measured against other properties that have sold, to calculate a market value. Characteristics such as location, age, size and others are all considered. You can confirm your property characteristics or compare to other properties, by using our Property Assessment Mapping tool. Alternatively, enter a request in County Connect and an Assessor will answer your questions.

• 11. If I don’t agree with my property assessment, what can I do?

  After discussing your assessment with an assessor, if you are still of the opinion that your assessment is incorrect, you may file a written complaint to the Assessment Review Board. Step by step instructions are available on the back of your Assessment and Tax Notice (mailed in May).