Introduction
Property taxes are calculated in proportion to the value of real estate property. Determining the value of a property for taxation purposes is known as assessment. Assessed values are a means of fairly distributing the tax burden and ensuring that each property owner pays a fair level of tax in relation to his/her neighbour. The taxation year runs from January to December each year. The Annual Tax Notice is mailed in May and is due at the end of June.
Education Property Tax
In the Town of Strathmore both a public school and a Roman Catholic separate school district exist in the same area. When you purchase a property you are required to file with the Town of Strathmore a completed School Support Notice so that proper records can be maintained with respect to public and separate school supporters.
In addition, property owners can at any time file a new School Support Notice or change an existing School Support Notice.
A School Support Notice filed by a Property Owner prior to December 31 is effective for the following taxation year. The notice must be received by the Town before December 31.
- Only property owners, not tenants, are entitled to file this School Support Notice.
- In order to ensure that property taxes are directed correctly, it is important that all property owners are designated on the School Support Notice and that the percentage of ownership adds up to 100%.
- If this School Support Notice is not returned to the Town of Strathmore, the individual owners’ property will be assessable for public school purposes and the taxes on such property will be directed to the Alberta School Foundation Fund and redistributed on an equal amount per student to public and separate school boards in Alberta.
Monthly Payment Plan (TIPP)
The monthly Tax Installment Payment Plan allows taxpayers to make automatic monthly payments for taxes rather than a single annual payment. You can come to the Town Office where we will complete your TIPP application. You must provide us with a copy of your void cheque or a pre-authorization form from your bank. You can join the plan if your tax account is paid up to date. If you have banking privileges at a financial institution, and if your mortgage company agrees to waive the collection of your taxes. The tax year is from January to December. Your first payment for the current year taxes would be January 1st. If you enroll after January a lump sum payment for any lapsed months must be paid. A 2% administration fee is applied to this payment amount. The first five payments are based on the previous year’s tax levy. Changes to the installment amount as a result of increases or decreases to the annual levy will be effective for the last seven payments. You will be notified on your tax notice of the new installment amount. If you are on the payment plan you do not need to reapply.
Payments may only be made by automatic withdrawal from your bank account at a financial institution. If you change your bank account, please advise the Town by providing a new Void cheque at least two weeks before the next payment withdrawal.
Any payment returned from your financial institution is subject to a $30 fee and may result in termination of the plan. Your outstanding taxes will then become due and payable and subject to penalties.
You may withdraw from the plan at any time by giving written notice at least two weeks before the next payment date. Your outstanding taxes will then become due and payable and subject to penalties in accordance with the Town’s penalty bylaw. If your property is sold, you must inform the Town in writing at least two weeks in advance of the next payment. All installment payments are non-refundable and non transferable.
The balance will be taken on your December 1st payment.
Read the Property Tax Bylaw here.
Property Type | Millrate |
---|---|
Residential | |
Municipal | 6.132 |
Education | 2.200 |
Wheatland Housing | 0.099 |
Total | 8.431 |
Non Residential | |
Municipal | 8.781 |
Education | 3.403 |
Wheatland Housing | 0.099 |
Total | 12.283 |
Annexed Residential | |
Municipal | 2.918 |
Education | 2.366 |
Wheatland Housing | 0.099 |
Total | 5.383 |
Annexed Non Residential | |
Municipal | 7.746 |
Education | 2.366 |
Wheatland Housing | 0.099 |
Total | 10.211 |
Annexed Farmland | |
Municipal | 13.482 |
Education | 2.366 |
Wheatland Housing | 0.099 |
Total | 15.947 |
Annexed Machinery + Equipment | |
Municipal | 7.823 |
Total | 7.823 |
Supplementary Assessments (Buildings Constructed During Current Year)
What is a Supplementary Assessment |
A supplementary assessment reflects the increase in value of a property where a new home or building is completed or occupied during the current tax year. The assessed value shown on the Tax Notice reflects the value of your property based upon sales up to July 1st of the previous year, and its physical condition and characteristics as of December 31st of the previous year. |
How does Supplementary Assessment & Tax work? |
If your property is newly constructed and was completed or occupied in the current tax year, you will receive a Supplementary Assessment and Tax Notice in addition to the Annual Tax Notice. The Supplementary Notice will be mailed to you sometime after July 1st depending on the completed or occupied date. The payment due date for the notice will be 30 days after the mailing date. The Supplementary Assessment and Tax Notice you will receive will reflect the new total assessment less what has been paid in June on your Annual Tax & Assessment Notice. The supplementary assessment will be pro-rated to the end of the year from the date of completion or occupancy. |
Important Dates
- February 2024: Assessment notices are sent to Residents. Contact the assessment department if you did not receive one.
- April 2024: Assessment complaints are due 60 days after mailing of the Assessment notices
- May 23, 2024: Tax notices are sent to property owners
- June 30, 2024: Taxes are due (Unless you are enrolled in the TIPP program)
How are your Property Taxes Calculated?
The Tax Rate Bylaw is passed each year in May, The tax rate is determined by the town using the Budget total amount of tax required and the assessed property values with in the town. If your property is within the annexed area of the town, the municipal mill rate is established by the County of Wheatland in accordance with the annexation order by the Province of Alberta.
Taxes are calculated using the following formula:
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT x TOTAL TAX RATE = TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES
Example:
$429,000 (property assessment) x 8.431 (Total Tax Rate) /1000 = $3,617
Tax Payment Methods
Mail Cheques |
Made payable to the "Town of Strathmore". Please ensure the remittance portion of the notice accompanies payment. Mail to: Town of Strathmore The Town accepts post-dated cheques dated for the due date. |
In Person |
Cash, Debit or Cheque Deposit at the Town of Strathmore office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday, except Statutory Holidays. After hours drop box at the 1 Parklane Drive Location- ensure remittance portion accompanies payment. |
Financial Institutions |
Town of Strathmore Property Tax Payments are accepted at most financial institutions via In-Branch or ATM (you must provide the institution with your remittance portion of your tax notice). You may also use Internet Banking using your Tax Roll number as the account number. Note: Credit cards are not accepted for any tax payments. |
Due Dates are Critical |
Please allow sufficient time for the payment to reach us by the specified date on the notice. Penalties are charged on overdue accounts, in accordance with Town Bylaw No. 23-30.
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Contact Us
Town of Strathmore
Department Title
680 Westchester Road
Strathmore, AB, T1P 1J1
Phone: (403) 934-3133