Property Taxes
Property taxes are mailed in the spring of each year. View the 2021 Property Tax Newsletter to learn more about how Council is holding the line on taxes for 2021 and what this means to you:
2021 Property Tax Newsletter
Read the June 3, 2021 Property Taxes announcement on the website (public service announcement).
Property Tax Rate 2021 and 2020
What are property taxes?
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 were mailed in mid-March. If you disagree with your property assessment notice, there is a 60-day appeal period.
Visit the Market Value Assessment page for more information. To appeal your assessment visit the Assessment Review Process page.
What is the deadline to pay my property taxes?
The deadline to pay property taxes is the end of June, 2021.
What happens if I do not pay my property taxes?
After the deadline, 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.
What is the Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)
Visit the Tax Installment Payment Plan page for more information on TIPPs.
How do I apply for Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors?
Please visit the Government of Alberta Seniors website.
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.
Click here to access the COPTER Guidelines
Click here to access the COPTER Application forms
