Please note it is the responsibility of the property owner to keep your contact information on your accounts with the Town of Carstairs up to date.

Municipal Tax Rates:

Each year Town Council approves the budget needed to support Town services. Unlike the Federal and Provincial governments, municipalities are legislatively required to pass balanced operating budgets. To get the amount of revenue required from property tax, the Town takes the overall cost to operate the town and subtracts all other sources of revenue such as license fees, permits, user fees and provincial grants. The balance is the amount to be raised through municipal property taxes.

To calculate property tax, tax rates (sometimes referred to as mill rates) are established. The rates reflect the amount of tax to be paid for every $1 of assessed value.

The Municipal tax rate equals the total property tax revenue required by the Town of Carstairs divided by the total assessment.

Education Tax Rates:

Each year, the Government of Alberta will determine the total amount of revenue to be drawn from property taxes from across the province to pay for the K-12 education system. All property owners, whether they have children or not, are required to pay education taxes. The province bills each municipality for its share of the education property tax requirement. This is known as the “education property tax requisition” or “education tax.” 

While the Town of Carstairs, like other municipalities, collects education taxes on behalf of the Alberta School Foundation Fund, it has no jurisdiction over setting the tax rate for school taxes. For more information on Provincial Education Taxes call 780-422-7125 or visit Education property tax | Alberta.ca.

Seniors Foundation Rates:

This tax is a mandatory, separate line item used by municipalities to collect funds for local housing management bodies. These funds support the operation, maintenance and deficits of the affordable seniors’ lodges and housing facilities, as authorized by the Alberta Housing Act. 

In Carstairs, Mountain View Seniors’ Housing is the management body that determines each municipality’s share. It helps to provide affordable housing options to independent seniors living in the Mountain View County region.  For more information, visit https://www.mvsh.ca/  

Late Tax Penalties

• A 14% penalty will be applied July 1 to current taxes not paid on or before June 30.  A further 14% penalty will be applied on January 1 to the total outstanding taxes that remain unpaid.

Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP):

Ease your annual Tax payment by:

• Making monthly payments (15th of each month)
• Avoiding late payment penalties

The Tax Installment Payment Plan provides participants with the opportunity to make twelve monthly payments as opposed to the single annual payment due on June 30 of each year.

For more information, please contact the town office or call 403.337.3341.

• Preauthorized Payment Plan - Taxes
• Preauthorized Cancellation Notice
• Current participants in T.I.P.P. do not have to sign a new agreement each year. 

In Person:

The Town of Carstairs accepts the following forms of payment in person:

• Cash
• Cheque
• Debit Card

Payments are accepted at the Carstairs Town Office (844 Centre St) Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Can't make business hours? A convenient mail slot is located on the west side of the Town Office underneath the window. Please only use cheques when using the mail slot. Payment will be applied on the next business day.

By Mail:

Send your cheque or money order payable to the Town of Carstairs and allow enough time for the payment to reach the Town Office by the due date. Do not send cash in the mail. Record your account number or property address on the cheque or enclose the bottom portion of the bill. Post dated cheques are accepted.

Telephone or Internet Banking:

Depending on your bank, you will find the Town of Carstairs in the list of payees either "The Town of Carstairs" or "Carstairs Town of".  Please allow 3 business days for your payment to reach our bank.

 Paysimply:

Visit Paysimply, our secure third party payment provider, to pay online with any major credit card (Visa, MC, Amex) PayPal or Interac eTransfer.  Please allow 3 business days for processing.  A convenience fee will be applied to cover payment handling and processing charges.

MyOnline Carstairs:

We now accept payment for taxes through MyOnline Carstairs by credit card. You will be charged a 2.5% convenience fee for this service.

• “Did Council decide how much my property is assessed at?”
   No. Assessments are determined by the assessor under provincial legislation. Council’s role is to set the municipal tax rate after the assessments are completed.
• “Why did my taxes go up so much?”
   Property taxes depend on two factors: the property's assessed value and the tax rate set by Council. An increase in taxes does not necessarily mean the assessment increased by the same amount.
• “If everyone’s assessment went up, shouldn’t my taxes stay the same?”
   Not necessarily. Taxes are distributed based on the relative share of assessment. If some properties increase more than others, the tax burden shifts.
• “How do you determine what my property is worth?”
   Assessments are based on market evidence such as sales of similar properties, along with property characteristics like size, age, location, and construction quality.
• “Why is my assessment different from what I paid for the property?”
   The purchase price of a single property is only one data point. Assessments reflect the broader market as of the legislated valuation date (July 1).
• “Why is my assessment different from my neighbour’s?”
   Even similar homes can differ in factors such as size, age, construction quality, renovations, or location, which can affect the assessed value.
• “Can the assessor change my assessment if there is an error?”
   Yes. If there is a factual error in the property details or characteristics used in the valuation, the assessor can review and correct the assessment.
• “What should I do if I think my assessment is wrong?”
   First, contact the assessor. Many concerns can be resolved through discussion or by correcting the property information.
• “How often are properties inspected?”
   Properties are reviewed on a cycle over time to keep records accurate. Inspections may also occur when permits are issued or when properties sell.

• The cost is $40.00 payable by cheque to the Town of Carstairs (to pay by credit card see MyOnline Carstairs below)
• Mailing address is Town of Carstairs, Box 370, Carstairs, AB T0M 0N0
• Please submit your request on letterhead stating the legal or civic address and/or the roll number of your request. Fax to 403.337.3343
• Include a photocopy of the cheque with your request
• We will endeavor to have the tax certificate processed within 48 hours and fax it to you
• Once the cheque is received the hard copies will be mailed to your office
• You can also use our new  MyOnline Carstairs service to request a tax certificate.
• See: Home Departments Finance & Administration MyOnline Carstairs - online service for more information
• Click on this link to sign up for MyOnline Carstairs

E-Notice Taxation Service Agreement

Revoke E-Notice Consent Form

Preauthorized Payment Plan - Taxes

Preauthorized Cancellation Notice

Assessment Review Board Complaint Form

Assessment Complaints Agent Authorization