Property Taxes
On this page:
What if I don’t agree with my assessment?
Tax info for mobile homes in trailer parks
Tax Penalty Cancellation Policy
2022 Property Tax and Assessment Notices were sent out on May 19, 2022.
If you are a new property owner and have not received your 2022 Property Tax and Assessment Notice, please visit the link directly below.
How are my taxes calculated?
The assessed value of a property is an estimate of the market value of the land and buildings in relation to similar properties. It is based on market conditions as of July 1st of the previous year and on the property’s physical condition and characteristics as of December 31st of the previous year. The purpose of property assessment is to distribute the property tax fairly among property owners within the municipality.
Property taxes are generated when the tax rate is applied to the assessed value of a property. The tax rate is composed of three parts:
Municipal Taxes
In its annual budget, Town Council approves a number of expenditures required to support services and programs. Revenue derived from other sources such as grants, license fees, and user fees are subtracted from this amount. The balance remaining is the amount that must be raised through property taxes.
Education Tax Requisition (ASFF & Opted Out Boards)
Municipalities are required to collect education taxes on behalf of the Province of Alberta. The education tax rate is set once the Town receives the annual requisition from the Province.
North Peace Housing Requisition
The North Peace Housing Foundation tax rate is set once the Town receives the annual requisition from North Peace Housing Foundation.
To avoid penalty charges taxes must be paid by June 30th of each year, even if an assessment appeal is planned or the Combined Assessment and Property Tax Notice was not received.
Important dates
Each year in May the Town sends a Combined Assessment and Property Tax Notice to property owners. The tax period covered is from January 1 to December 31.
Property taxes are due by June 30th of each year and are based upon the assessed value of a property and the tax rate. Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the appropriate tax rate. (Please note that the tax rates listed on the Combined Assessment and Property Tax Notice are per $1,000 of assessed value.)
Forms
- Application to pay taxes by monthly installments form
- Monthly tax payment plan change of banking information request
- Monthly tax payment plan change of withdrawal date request
- Monthly tax payment plan cancellation request
- Pre-authorized debit agreement
- Refund for overpayment request
**It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to ensure that the Town has the correct mailing address.**
The following penalties are applied:
6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of Jul 1
6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of Aug 1
6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of Sep 1
18% penalty on unpaid balance as of Dec 31
What should I do if I don’t agree with my assessment?
Compare Your Assessment to Similar Properties
The assessment roll, which shows all property values within the Town of Peace River, is open for inspection during regular office hours at the Town Office.
Talk to the Assessor
Contact the Assessor from KCL Consulting at (780) 419-2158 or toll free at 1-888-419-2128 to discuss your property assessment. Their website is www.kcl-consulting.com .
File a Formal Appeal
If you are still certain that the assessment does not reflect what your property would likely sell for on the open market, you may file a written appeal to the Assessment Review Board. The reverse side of your Combined Assessment and Property Tax Notice explains the deadlines and steps you must take to file a formal appeal.
Each assessment in dispute requires a separate complaint form and a required fee. Section 460 of the Municipal Government Act and its regulations set out other requirements with which you must comply, including disclosure requirements. Please be advised that the Assessment Review Board will not hear any matters or reasons that are not clearly described on the complaint form.
Assessment Appeal Fees:
- Residential and Farmland: $35.00/parcel
- Non-residential: $150.00/parcel
To avoid penalty charges, you must pay your taxes by June 30th even if you plan to appeal your assessment.
Note: Under the Municipal Government Act, Section 460(6), “There is no right to make a complaint about any tax rate.” This means that you cannot appeal your taxes because you feel that they are too high. You may only appeal the assessment.
- Filing a property assessment and taxation complaint in Alberta
- Assessment Review Board complaint form
- Assessment Complaints Agent Authorization Form
Do I pay taxes if I have a designed manufactured home located at one of the trailer parks?
Yes. Under the Municipal Government Act, designated manufactured homes includes manufactured homes, mobile homes, modular homes, and travel trailers.
In most circumstances, all designated manufactured homes are assessable and taxable. This does NOT include land; the owner of the park is responsible for paying taxes on the land. In addition, homes moved into the municipality during the year will have the assessment prorated so that they are only taxed from the move-in date, provided the homeowner has submitted a Manufactured Home Change Report during the appropriate tax year.
In order to complete the tax roll and ensure proper billing, manufactured home park residents are required to complete a Manufactured Home Change Report whenever there is a change in residency or ownership of a manufactured home. Required information includes the year, make, and the serial number of the manufactured home.
Note: Taxes are the responsibility of the current owner of the home, even if there are taxes in arrears. Always ensure that any outstanding taxes have been paid prior to purchasing a designated manufactured home.
Property Tax Exemptions
In the case where non-profit organizations own property, hold property under lease, license or permit that is used primarily for the purpose of the organization, the organization may be eligible for a property tax exemption.
How to Apply
To qualify for the property tax exemption, the non-profit organization must submit an application form with supporting information in the year preceding the taxation year. The application will then be reviewed according to the Municipal Government Act, section 362 (n) (i) to (v) and the Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Regulation A/R 281/98 as amended. If the application is successful, the property in whole or in portion will be exempt from paying property taxes the next taxation year.
The application deadline is October 20 of the year preceding the taxation year.
Community Organization Property Tax Exemption Program Form
Applications are to be submitted to:
Corporate Services
P.O. Box 6600, Town of Peace River, Alberta T8S 1S4
Requirements for Qualification
- A non-profit organization can qualify only if it:
- Owns property, or holds property under a lease, license, or permit.
- Is incorporated under the Society Act, or an entity established under a federal law or law of Alberta.
- Uses the funds chiefly for the purposes of the organization and not for the benefit of the organization’s directors and employees.
- Does not restrict the use of the property within the terms and meaning outlined in the regulation.
Background Materials
- Municipal Government Act Government of Alberta – Tax Forms and Publications, regulation for property tax exemptions
- Guide to Tax Exemptions produced by Alberta Municipal Affairs
Tax Penalty Cancellation Policy
Sometimes residents are late with their tax payments, and as a result receive a late tax payment penalty. The Town has a Policy that dictates which instances warrant cancellation of a tax penalty.
Tax Penalty Relief Categories
Residents may apply for a tax penalty cancellation, and Council will consider a cancellation in these circumstances:
- where a death in the immediate family of the property owner occurred within twenty-one (21) days prior to the due date;
- where the tax notice has been sent to an incorrect address as a result of the Town’s error in recording an address change on the tax roll; or
- where a late tax payment has been processed by a financial institution and either the financial institution or the property owner provides documentation indicating the payment was processed on or before the due dates.
Penalty Relief Not Available
A property owner may not seek relief under this policy for:
- penalties arising from taxes owing on designated industrial property;
- taxes, charges, or penalties relating to more than one prior taxation year;
- amounts added to the tax roll that do not relate to the annual property assessment and taxation process, including but not limited to:
– charges arising from the tax recovery process;
– unpaid violation charges;
– utility consumption or installation charges; or
– any penalties, interests or other charges related to those amounts.
For more information, please view our Tax Penalty Cancellation Policy or contact Town Hall.
Payment Options
Unless you are on the monthly payment plan* and your payments are up-to-date, all property taxes must be paid by June 30th.
Payment options are as follows:
- Cash, Cheque or Debit Card at the Town Office – Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed holidays)
- After office hours, you may drop your payment off in the DROP-OFF BOX located at the south-side entrance of the Town Office (please do not deposit cash in the mail slot).
- Post-dated Cheques – may only be post-dated up to and including the due date. Please make cheques payable to The Town of Peace River.
- Mail – must be postmarked by Canada Post no later than the due date.
- Internet Banking – available at most banks. Please note that when setting up your payment via internet banking, your customer id number/account number will be your six digit tax roll number.
- Telephone Banking – available at most banks.
* The monthly payment plan must be set up by December 15 of the year prior to the year in which the plan is to commence OR within one month of purchasing a property.*