It is the property owners RESPONSIBILITY to ensure they receive a property tax notice. If you have not received a property tax notice for by mid-June 2024, and you are a property owner (including mobile homes), please contact the town office at 403-627-3156 to get a copy to avoid penalties for late payment.
Have you recently purchased a property or home?
Did you receive a tax notice? If not, please connect with the Town Office immediately.
Property tax payment deadline is june 30, 2024
Payments can be made in person by attending the Town Office, 962 St. John Avenue and/or leaving payments in mail slot, by mail, online banking or at any financial institution (please take your bill). To avoid late penalties property tax payments must be made or post marked by June 30, 2024. To ensure that your payment goes onto your account when using online banking please use the full 12-digit account (roll) number without the decimal that can be found on your tax notice. Please note if a tax payment is made online after hours on the due date the bank may post it to the following day. Please try not to make late payments or you may be required to submit proof of payment date to avoid penalties applied to your account.
Important penalty information
Penalty charges on outstanding current taxes will be levied at 12% on July 1, 2024. A further 10% penalty will be assessed on all remaining unpaid taxes January 3, 2025.
All individuals who own property located in a municipality where both a Public School District and a Roman Catholic Separate School District exist, are required to file this notice when a property is acquired. An individual may file a notice at any subsequent time.
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.
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.
Property assessment and tax notices are mailed in May of the current tax year. Additional copies and/or reprints of Property Tax Notices and Property Assessment Notices have a fee of $5.00 each.
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
Taxes are due every year on June 30th.
The tax amount on your Assessment and Tax Notice is for taxes levied from January to December of the current year.
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.
You have until June 30th to pay your current taxes without penalty. Any account not paid in full as of July 1st will be penalized 12% of the current outstanding balance.
If taxes are not paid by January 1st of the following year, an additional 10% will be applied to the total outstanding balance.
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.
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 15th 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.
