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What Are Property Taxes?

Property taxes are local taxes. Each year, the Town of Pincher Creek Administration and Council determine the cost and the municipal budget required to provide local services.
 

What is property assessment?

Property Assessment is the process of estimating a fair actual value (average market value) of a property for taxation purposes.

Assessments for all types of property are prepared annually by accredited municipal assessors appointed by the town and governed by provincial legislation and regulation.

Assessments are based on market conditions as of July 1 of the previous year and on the properties physical condition and characteristics as of December 31 of the previous year.

Assessors obtain required information through many means including site inspections, building permits and blueprints, aerial imagery, GIS data, sales information from Alberta Registries, MLS data, industry publications and by annual written requests. Learn more about request for information surveys RFI's.

The property assessment is used to fairly distribute the annual tax revenue requirements throughout the municipality.
 

When will I receive my property assessment and tax notice?

Property assessment and tax notices are mailed in May of the current tax year.

 

What are my tax dollars used for?
Each year, the town of Pincher Creek Administration and Council determine the cost and the municipal budget required to provide local services, including but not limited to:

·         Bylaw enforcement
·         Community and social services
·         Library resources
·         Park maintenance
·         Planning for future infrastructure
·         Protective Services (Police, Fire and Ambulance)
·         Road construction and maintenance, including snow clearing
·         Etc.
The majority of the revenue required is collected by way of property taxation under authority of the Municipal Government Act (statute of Alberta). Other areas of revenue collection are government grants and user fees.

The annual property assessment is used to distribute the tax burden fairly throughout the municipality 
 

Who pays property tax?

All owners of taxable real estate located within the province. This includes businesses, farmers, and individuals.

 

Your municipal taxes are calculated using the following formula: 

   Assessment x Municipal Tax Rate / 1000 = Property Tax
 

When are my taxes due?

Taxes are due every year on June 30^th.  
The tax amount on your Assessment and Tax Notice is for taxes levied from January to December of the current year. 
 

Where do my taxes go?

Your Assessment and Tax Notice includes three separate tax levies taxed at different rates that make up your Total Property Taxes:

 1.       Municipal Levy - This amount is paid directly to the Town of Pincher Creek and pays for municipal infrastructure, facilities, service and programs.

 2.       School Levy - This amount is collected by the Town of Pincher Creek and paid directly to Province of Alberta, for maintenance and development of the school system.  The amount of school funds paid by each municipality is based on population and the tax base.  All municipalities must collect and forward these funds to the Province.

 3.       Senior Housing - This amount is collected by the Town of Pincher Creek and paid directly to the Pincher Creek Foundation and helps pay for senior housing in our area.  If applicable, all municipalities must collect and forward these funds.
 

What if I am late paying my taxes?

You have until June 30th to pay your current taxes without penalty.   Any account not paid in full as of July 1^st will be penalized 12% of the current outstanding balance.

If taxes are not paid by January 1^st of the following year, an additional 10% will be applied to the total outstanding balance.
 

What if I disagree with my property assessment?

If you have questions concerning your property assessment or you feel that your assessment is inaccurate you should inquire with the Assessor by filling out an inquiry form. 

The assessor will contact you to discuss your concerns and may request amongst other things, documentation (appraisals, sales docs, lease information, plans, etc.) relating to your opinion of value for this property and/or inspect the property to determine if an error was made. If the assessor agrees the original notice is not accurate, a corrected notice may be issued. Assessment reviews and possible amendments only pertain to the current assessment notice.

If after speaking with the assessor, you still feel that your assessment does not accurately reflect a fair and equitable value of your property at July 1 of the previous year, then there is a formal appeal process to file an assessment appeal. This is done through the municipality’s Assessment Review Board. Forms and information to file the assessment appeal can be obtained from the Assessment Review Board Clerk at Town.
An assessment appeal fee must be submitted with the complaint form and this fee is only refunded if the assessment is amended.

• Assessment Review Board Complaint Form
• Assessments Complaints Agent Authorization Form
• Assessment Review Board Filing Fees Bylaw

If after a board hearing you believe an error in law or jurisdiction has been made by the Assessment Review Board, you may appeal that decision to the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (CQB).
An assessment complaint does not exempt you from paying your taxes by the due date or from late payment penalties.
 
 

Corrections to the name or address of the assessed person(s) or their school support status may be made without filing a complaint. Contact the Town of Pincher Creek Tax Department at 403-627-3156 or reception@pinchercreek.ca

Appeal fees:

Single Family Residential = $50
Multi-family Residential (more than 3 units) = $500
Non-Residential (Commercial) = $500
*If your appeal is successful, your money will be refunded

For more information about assessment complaints and appeals please visit Municipal Affairs website.
 

What are the Taxation Rates for the Town of Pincher Creek?

• 2011  rates   ... Residential: 11.1106    Non-Residential: 13.7005
• 2012  rates   ... Residential: 11.8714    Non-Residential: 14.3740
• 2013  rates   ... Residential: 12.3765    Non-Residential: 15.1123
• 2014  rates   ... Residential: 12.3765    Non-Residential: 15.1123
• 2015  rates   ... Residential: 11.8340    Non-Residential: 15.0396
• 2016  rates   ... Residential: 12.0285    Non-Residential: 15.2197
• 2017  rates   ... Residential: 12.361      Non-Residential: 15.8103
• 2018  rates   ... Residential: 12.6476    Non-Residential: 16.2372
• 2019  rates   ... Residential: 12.449      Non-Residential:  16.228
• 2020 rates    ... Residential: 12.5386    Non-Residential: 16.3688  
• 2021 rates    ... Residential:  12.6656   Non-Residential:  16.5512
• 2022 rates    ... Residential:  13.1023   Non-Residential:  16.8519
• 2023 rates    ... Residential:  11.9502   Non-Residential:  15.683

Can I pay in installments throughout the year instead of one lump sum?

Many people prefer to take advantage of our Monthly Tax Installation Payment Program (TIPP).  Here’s how it works:

• The most recent tax levy on your property is divided by 12 months
• From January to June we debit your account for this amount
• In May you will receive your Tax/Assessment Notice showing the actual levy for the current year and the adjusted amount you will pay on TIPP starting with your July payment

You may sign up for this program by December 15^th of the year prior to deductions being taken out.  Exceptions may be made to the above deadline by contacting the Town Office or you can download the application here which you will need to drop off at the Town Office.

 

Who is our municipal Assesor?

 
Kevin Lawrence, AMAA.
KCL Consulting Inc.
TF: 1-888-419-2128
Dir: 587-777-8171
Or submit your inquiry online by clicking here.

 

 

Tax Assessment Lists (past)

Click here to download the 2018 Assessment List.

Click here to download the 2017 Assessment List.

Click here to download the 2016 Assessment List.

Click here to download the 2015 Assessment List.

Click here to download the 2014 Assessment List.

Click here to download the 2013 Assessment List.

Click here to download the 2012 Assessment List.

 

Tax Arrears

Tax Arrears March 20, 2020

Seniors Music Bingo

Public Open House

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Public Open House- A Conversation with Council
June 7, 2023
This open house will be a series of small table conversations!

Sewer Video Inspections Program
May 1, 2023
Phase 4 of the Town's Sewer Video Inspection Program is underway.

2023 Property Assessment Notices
March 23, 2023
New Process for Property Assessments
In the past, the Town of Pincher Creek has issued a “Combined Property Assessment and Tax Notice.” This meant that the property owner was notified of their assessment for the year at the same time they were notified of the amount of taxes owed. The new process for 2023 will be that the property owner will receive a Property Assessment Notice separate from the Property Tax Notice.