Property taxes in Alberta are a critical source of revenue for municipalities, funding essential services such as education, infrastructure, public safety, and community programs. Administered at the local level, these taxes are levied on the assessed value of properties.
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.
June 30 Property taxes are due
July 1 6% penalty on unpaid taxes
August 1 6% penalty on unpaid taxes
September 1 6% penalty on unpaid taxes
January 1 18% penalty on unpaid balance
Information About Property Taxes
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:
- Sign up for the Town’s Monthly Tax Payment Plan.
- Cash, Cheque or Debit Card at the Town Office. Office hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Closed weekends and 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 after hours 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.
- Credit card payment is available via paysimply.ca (this is a 3rd party site, additional fees may apply).
Property taxes 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.
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. The money raised from property taxes is critical to fund municipal services Including policing and fire protection, infrastructure and roadways, recreation, and community services.
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 of Peace River receives the annual requisition from the Province. Education taxes are not subject to control or review by the Town of Peace River. Education Tax is mandated and regulated by Provincial legislation, the Town of Peace River is responsible for administering and collecting education taxes on behalf of the Province, specifically for public and separate school boards.
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. The North Peace Housing Foundation operates four Senior Citizens' Lodges and, by Agreement with the Province of Alberta, manages eleven Seniors' Self-Contained Apartment projects, a sixty-three-unit Affordable Housing project, plus the region’s Community Housing, Sustainable Remote Housing (SRHI), Private Landlord Rent Supplement and Rent Assistance Benefit. Town Council has no control over the amount of tax levied. 100% of North Peace Housing tax collected from Peace River citizens is submitted to the North Peace Housing Foundation. For further information please visit www.nphf.ca
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 September 30 of the year preceding the taxation year.
Fill Out 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.
Reference Materials
The Alberta Government has implemented the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program. This voluntary program allows eligible seniors to defer their residential property taxes through a low interest home equity loan with Alberta Health. If a senior is eligible, the Province will pay your property taxes to the Town and the loan will be payable when the senior sells the home, or the loan is paid in full.
For applications and eligibility details, contact Alberta Health toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or visit Alberta's Seniors Property Tax Deferral Page
Sometimes residents are late with their tax payments, and as a result receive a late t ax 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;
Under the Municipal Government Act, designated manufactured homes include manufactured homes, mobile homes, modular homes, and travel trailers.
Designated Manufactured Homes are assessed and taxed in the same manner as other properties. Property tax on the designated manufactured home is based on the assessed value of the buildings(s) and improvement only. The property tax bill is mailed to the owner of the home.
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 order to complete the tax roll and ensure proper billing, manufactured home park residents are required to complete a Manufactured Home Change Report (included below) 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. When buying or selling a manufactured home, property taxes are to be adjusted between the seller and purchaser. Always ensure that any outstanding taxes have been paid prior to purchasing a designated manufactured home.
To appeal your assessment, complete an assessment review form for each property assessment being appealed. The form(s) and the assessment complaint filing fee(s) must be received within 60 days of the assessment date. If the Assessment Review Board decides in favor of the complainant, the fee(s) will be refunded.
Assessment Complaint Fees:
| Residential (3 or fewer dwellings) & Farmland All assessment values: | $50.00/tax roll |
|---|---|
| Residential (4 units or more) & Non-Residential Assessment values $0-$200,00 | $50.00/tax roll |
| Assessment values $200,001-$500,000 | $100.00/tax roll |
| Assessment values $500,001-$1,000,000 | $250.00/tax roll |
| Assessment values $1,000,001 and over | $500.00/tax roll |
Complaints with an incomplete complaint form, complaints submitted after the filing deadline, or complaints without the filing fee, are invalid.
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.
Please complete an account update change form for any Town of Peace River contact information updates
Please note that any account information updates are for Town of Peace River only and will not reflect on your Alberta Land Title.
The Town of Peace River receives your land title information electronically from the Province of Alberta Land Titles Office and uses this information to mail you your assessment notices and tax bills.
If you are a new property owner and have not received your tax notice, please call (780) 624-2574 to obtain a copy. You will need to supply proof of ownership.
Non-receipt of your property tax bill does not exempt you from tax payment deadlines nor late payment penalties.
For manufactured home ownership changes, physical changes on lot, or mailing address changes, complete and submit a Mobile Home Change Report.
Complete and submit a Manufactured Mobile Home Change Report
Forms are also available from manufactured home park managers.
Information collected on the Manufactured Home Information form ensures accurate assessment and ownership information for assessment notices and tax bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
If taxes are unpaid as of July 1 of the tax year, the following penalties are applied:
- 6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of July 1
- 6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of August 1
- 6% penalty on unpaid taxes as of September 1
- 18% penalty on unpaid balance as of December 31
If your property taxes have gone unpaid and you are experiencing financial difficulties, please reach out to us to explore potential solutions. Unpaid taxes may lead to the risk of your property being sold at public tax auction or property seizure by civil enforcement. Contact us via email at taxclerk@peaceriver.ca or by telephone at (780) 624-2574.
Individual property taxes are determined by applying a tax rate to your property’s assessed value. The tax rates listed on the Combined Assessment and Property Tax Notice are per $1,000 of assessed value.
A tax rate is determined by dividing the total assessment for a municipality into the total budgeted requirements.
The Taxation Notice contains three separate tax rates: a municipal tax rate, an education tax rate, and a North Peace Housing rate. The municipal tax rate is set by Town Council and funds the cost of providing local government services. The education tax rate is based on a required funding amount set by the Provincial Government and funds the school system. Town Council has no control over these amounts.
All property owners pay the education property tax (with some exceptions, such as some non-profit organizations and seniors’ lodge facilities). People who rent or lease property may also contribute indirectly through their monthly rent or lease payments. As the education system benefits all Albertans, people without children in school also pay the education property tax.
Every Albertan benefits from a quality education system. The education property tax supports an education system that is producing the workforce of tomorrow.
Your tax bill may include additional charges for previously approved local improvements. Local improvements comprise new, or replacement construction projects designed to enhance specific areas within communities throughout the Town. Examples of such improvements include back alley lane paving.
The amount of tax dollars required to operate a municipality can differ greatly. The services offered, as well as service levels, vary from municipality to municipality. The other factor to consider is who is paying the majority of the property taxes. Some municipalities have a heavy commercial or industrial presence, where operators pay large amount of property tax, while others municipalities do not, requiring a higher level of residential taxes.
Property taxes are determined by applying the tax rates to the assessment. If your neighbour is paying less tax than you are, that property must have a lower assessed value. Considering that assessments are based on market value, the assessment department has determined that property has a lower market value than your property.
You should contact the Taxation staff at 780-624-2575 or taxclerk@peaceriver.ca
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 Municipal Assessment Services Group Inc at 780-939-3310 to discuss your property assessment.
https://masg.ca/
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. Property owners have 60 days after the assessment notice date to file a formal appeal about their property assessment amount.
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.
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.
All ownership changes to your title MUST be made in writing and submitted to Land Titles Office. These changes include but are not limited to marriage, divorce, death, legal name change, spelling corrections, mailing address updates, or adding/removing an owner.
*It is the property owner's responsibility to keep the record accurate.
Please go to Land titles - Overview | Alberta.ca, scroll down to Change of address and name, find the appropriate form(s) to fill out, and send to the Alberta Land Titles Office.
Mailing Address:
Alberta Land Titles
PO Box 2380
Edmonton, AB T5J 2T3
Phone: 780-427-2742
Office Address:
John E Brownlee Building
10365 97 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 5C5
Phone: 780-427-2742