Taxation

Interested in the Tax Installment Plan (TIPS)?

The Town of Calmar offers a payment plan that enables you to pay your taxes in 12 equal amounts via automatic withdrawal, a completely safe and effective way to pay your monthly installments, instead of one annual payment. There is no charge to join the plan and no penalties are accrued while on the plan. 

You can join the plan at any time during the year. If you are already on the plan, you do not need to re-apply each year.

 To enroll in TIPS:

Please contact the Tax Department for your payment details and fill out a Pre-authorized Debit Agreement to return to the Town Office with a void cheque.

If you join part way through the year, you must make up any "missed" payments. For example, if you decide to join the plan in April, you need to make up the payments for January, February, March, and April.  

Monthly payments are withdrawn from your account on the first day of each month.

If your TIPS payment is returned from the bank, you have 10 days to make up the payment and remain on the plan. If you experience three NSF’s during a one year period, you will automatically be removed from the TIPS plan, and any amount owing at that time will be due immediately and subject to penalties.

2010 Millrate Breakdown

How are my property taxes calculated?

 Property Taxes within the Province of Alberta are calculated based on the following formula:

 Assessment X (Millrate/1000) = Taxes

What is Property tax?

Property taxes are a primary source of revenue for municipalities. Property taxes are used to finance Town programs and services including:

• Road construction and maintenance
• Parks and leisure facilities
• Police and fire protection
• Snow removal
• Street lighting  etc….
• Municipal Office’s & Staff

Education Tax

Under Provincial Law, the Town of Calmar collects education tax for the Government of Alberta through property tax, which represents approximately 25% of the total property tax bill. The Town of Calmar does not set any of the rates used in determining the education tax portion of your notice.

What is property assessment?

Property assessment is regulated by the Provincial Government and is the process of assigning a dollar value to a property for taxation purposes. In Alberta, property is taxed based on market value. This means the amount of tax paid is based on the value of your property.  However, the market value assigned is an estimate of value based on market activity as of July 1 in the year previous to taxation.

Questions or concerns?

Section 299 and 300 of the Municipal Government Act provide taxpayers with the right to access information on how their property assessment was prepared, as well as access to a summary of the assessment of any assessed property in the municipality.

If the assessed person believes that a municipality has failed to comply with that person's request under section 299 or 300 of the Municipal Government Act they may make a request to the Minister using a Compliance Review Form. The Minister may impose a penalty for non-compliance if it is determined that a municipality has failed to comply with a request. 

If you feel your assessment is not fair in relation to similar properties, or if you suspect an error, arrange a discussion with your assessor, please contact the Town of Calmar Taxation Department at (780) 985-3604 Ext. 232 / lhull@calmar.ca

If the Assessment Department is not able to explain or correct your concern, you may file a formal complaint to be heard by either the Local or the Composite Assessment Review Board. 

Assessment Appeal

A complaint must be in the form prescribed in Alberta Regulation 310/2009 – Matters Relating to Assessment Complaints Regulation. 

Assessment Complaint Form

If you wish to have an agent file a complaint, they must file the complaint with an Agent Authorization Form

As stipulated in the Municipal Government Act under Section 460 (7) (Complaints) A complainant must:

(a) indicate what information shown on an assessment notice or tax notice is incorrect,

(b) explain in what respect that information is incorrect,

(c) indicate what the correct information is, and

(d) identify the requested assessed value, if the complaint relates to an assessment.

Further information on the New Complaint Process and the steps to file a complaint can be obtained online at: 

www.powersandassociates.ca

Under the Assessment Tab

Select “Town of Calmar”

How much does it cost to appeal?

Residential Properties – 3 or fewer dwellings - $50.00

Farmland  - $50.00

Tax notice complaints - $50.00

Residential – 4 or more dwellings and Non-Residential properties are based on the following  schedule.

CONTACT

Lucie Hull

Box 750

Calmar, AB T0C 0V0

Phone: 780-985-3604 ext 232

Fax: 780-985-3039

Email: lhull@calmar.ca