Property taxes are local taxes. Local officials appraise and set the value of your property, set your tax rates and collect your taxes. Please note that many of the Town of High River’s services can be viewed and bill payments made online though eServices.
What are Property Taxes used for?
Council sets the municipal tax rates to generate the revenue needed to offset municipal service expenditures with the annual Property Tax Rate Bylaw which is developed through the annual budget approval process. The budget is typically approved in May and includes municipal services such as education, fire and police protection, streets, sewers, senior citizen transportation, parks and recreation and many other local services.
How are my taxes calculated?
The taxes are calculated by multiplying the market value assessment of the property by the mill rate. The mill rate is set in January each year by Council.
What do I do if I do not agree with my property assessment notice?
Property assessment notices will be mailed by mid-March. If you disagree with your property assessment notice, there is a 60-day appeal period.
Tax notices for the current year will be mailed out at the end of May and are due by July 3 of the current year unless you are on the Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP).
Ratepayers have until July 3 to pay property taxes. After that date a tax penalty of 1.5 per cent will be applied on the first day of each month to unpaid property taxes with an additional penalty of 1.5 per cent interest added after each additional month.
How do I apply for Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors?
What if I want my Education Tax portion to go to the Separate School System instead of the public?
Please view the School Declaration Form. (Fill out the form and return to the Town office 309B Macleod Trail S.W.)
Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation (COPTER)
All property is subject to local assessment and taxation, however, exemptions can include property owned or used by organizations providing services related to government, education, charity, religion, culture, and historic preservation.
The Municipal Government Act provides some tax exemptions to qualifying properties that reflect social values, accessibility and that benefit the public with their use. Government, churches, hospitals, schools may be eligible for property tax exemption.
Please review the guidelines below to determine if your organization qualifies, and then fill out and submit the associated application form to the Town before September 30, 2018.
