Property Assessment Notices FAQ
- Do property taxes change as assessments change in 2012?
- How does my property assessment affect the property taxes I pay in 2012?
- Why are the property assessment notices being sent to homeowners in January?
- Is this a property tax bill?
- My property assessment notice shows a tax amount on it, what is this?
- When do I get my property tax notice?
- Are property taxes increasing this year?
- How can I compare my property assessment to other similar properties?
- What if I don’t agree with my property assessment?
- My property assessment decreased more than the average increase of 1.8 per cent. Will my taxes decrease?
- What should I do when I get my property assessment notice?
- I just purchased my property. Why is the property assessment higher than the price I paid?
- Why haven't I received my property assessment notice?
- 1. Do property taxes change as assessments change in 2012?
- Do property taxes change as assessments change?
Overall property tax changes occur as a result of changes in the overall budget for programs and services. For example, if the property tax requirement to meet the budget increases by 5.22 per cent, then overall property taxes will increase by 5.22 per cent. Individual property tax changes will depend upon how individual property assessments compare to the average change overall in assessment.
The City does not receive extra revenue when overall property assessments increase.
The City does not receive less revenue when property assessments decrease.
The City determines if a tax increase is needed based on the total budget to provide services and programs.
- 2. How does my property assessment affect the property taxes I pay in 2012?
Your property assessment is used to determine your share of the total property taxes the City needs to provide services and infrastructure.
The change in your property assessment compared to the overall change in all Edmonton property assessments determines whether you will pay more, less or the same as the average 2012 property tax increase for residential property owners.
Overall, Edmonton property assessments for single family residential homes decreased about 1.7 per cent on average, as of July 1, 2011, compared to the previous year’s assessment. Condominiums, townhouses, manufactured homes etc, decreased by about 1.9 per cent. Apartment buildings actually increased in value by about 0.5 per cent.
The entire residential group of properties, including apartment buildings, will have a municipal tax increase of about 5.22 per cent (1.5 per cent neighbourhood renewal and 3.72 per cent for other city services).
If your property assessment decreased in value by the average of all properties you will likely see an increase in your municipal taxes of about 5.22 per cent, the average increase required for the City's budget. If your property assessment decreased in value less than the overall market value change or increased your taxes will likely increase more than the average increase of 5.22 per cent. If your property assessment decreased in value more than the average overall market value change, your taxes will likely increase less than the budget-required tax increase of 5.22 per cent.
- 3. Why are the property assessment notices being sent to homeowners in January?
Prior to 2009 your property assessment notice was combined with the annual property tax notice you receive annually in late May. The City is now sending out separate assessment notices early in January.
This change gives you, the homeowner, more time to review your assessment details, compare it with other similar properties in your areas and budget to pay your property taxes by June 30. It also gives you more time to have any questions about your assessment answered.
Comparable and individual property assessment information is found at Edmonton Maps.
Data specific to your property, including sales information and variables used in determining your assessment, can be accessed at https://assessmentinfo.edmonton.ca using your Password (which can be found on the front of your assessment notice).
- 4. Is this a property tax bill?
No. Your property tax bill will be mailed to you at the end of May.
- 5. My property assessment notice shows a tax amount on it, what is this?
On the front of your property assessment notice there is an amount that shows the estimated amount of property tax you would pay due to the change in your property’s assessed value. This estimated amount does not factor in changes to the 2012 city budget or the 2012 provincial education property tax requirement, both of which will be finalized after you have received your assessment notice.
- 6. When do I get my property tax notice?
You will receive your property tax notice by mail at the end of May in each year.
- 7. Are property taxes increasing this year?
City Council has approved an average property tax increase for all properties of 5.22 per cent.
- 8. How can I compare my property assessment to other similar properties?
You can go to Edmonton Maps to compare your property assessment to similar properties in your area.
- 9. What if I don’t agree with my property assessment?
Compare your property assessment with similar properties in your area by going to Edmonton Maps.
If you have concerns, call the assessment office at 780-496-6388 and speak to an assessor. If any of the information on your property is in error, or some features are incorrect, the assessor can make a correction and send you an amended assessment notice.
If, after discussing your property assessment with the assessor, you still feel your property assessment doesn’t reflect what your property would have sold for in the open market as of July 1, 2011 you may wish to file a written complaint to the Clerk of the Assessment Review Board. The complaint form was included with your property assessment notice.
Or you can visit the assessment forms page to download a complaint form.
- 10. My property assessment decreased more than the average increase of 1.8 per cent. Will my taxes decrease?
- Your property taxes will decrease only if:
- Your property assessment decreased significantly more than the average overall market value change of all residential properties (including apartments).
- Your property assessment decrease is enough to offset the average 5.22 per cent municipal tax change for residential properties and any changes to the provincial education tax portion of your tax bill.
Property tax changes are not equivalent to changes in property assessments. For example, for the 2008 tax year, Edmonton property assessments increased an average 65 per cent from the previous year. The residential property tax increase was limited to an overall average of 7.5 per cent. For the 2009 tax year, property assessments decreased by an average of 10 per cent. The overall residential municipal property tax increase was 7.3 per cent.
The City does not get extra revenue when overall property assessments increase nor does the City require less revenue when overall property assessments decrease. Property assessment is simply the mechanism used to distribute the total property tax requirement fairly among tax payers.
- 11. What should I do when I get my property assessment notice?
- Review your property assessment. Go to Edmonton Maps to compare your property to similar properties in your area.
- If you have concerns, call the assessment office at 780-496-6388 and speak with an assessor. You have until March 12, 2012 to file a complaint if you do not agree with your property assessment.
- Data specific to your property, including sales information and variables used in determining your assessment, can be accessed at https://assessmentinfo.edmonton.ca using your Password (which can be found on the front of your assessment notice).
- Start budgeting for your tax bill - it is due June 30. To assist with your budgeting process, a new online Tax Estimator can be used.
- You may also want to consider going on our monthly payment plan. For more information call 780-496-6388.
- Please note that you cannot file a formal complaint about your property tax bill.
- 12. I just purchased my property. Why is the property assessment higher than the price I paid?
The Alberta Government legislates that all property must be assessed annually and must reflect typical market value as of July 1 of the year prior to the tax year. Depending upon the time of the year you purchased your property, the sale price could be either higher or lower than the assessment.
Sales occurring up to and including July 1, 2011 have been used to determine property assessments for the current taxation year. The assessed value of your property fluctuates annually with the real estate market activity.
- 13. Why haven't I received my property assessment notice?
Property assessment notices were mailed on January 3, 2012. If you have not received your notice by the end of second week in January, please contact us and we will have another notice issued. Call 780-496-6388.
