Understanding Property Assessments and Property Taxes in Crowsnest Pass
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Property assessments help determine how property taxes are distributed among property owners. In Alberta, property assessments must follow the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and provincial regulations to ensure fairness.
Each year, municipalities complete property assessments to estimate the fair market value of homes, businesses, and land. These assessments help ensure that property taxes are applied fairly across all property owners.
How Are Property Assessments Calculated?
Assessments are based on the market value of a property as of July 1 of the previous year. This means your 2025 property assessment reflects market conditions as of July 1, 2024.
Assessors use mass appraisal techniques to determine property values, looking at trends rather than individual properties. They consider factors such as:
- Recent sales of similar properties before July 1
- Property characteristics such as size, age, and location
- Land use and zoning regulations
- Infrastructure and community growth (Read more about how recent development has impacted municipal assessments)
Assessments are conducted independently of the Municipality and must follow provincial guidelines to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Does a Higher Assessment Mean Higher Taxes?
Not necessarily. An increase in your property assessment does not automatically mean your property taxes will increase, though this may occur.
Your property taxes are determined by three key factors:
- Your property assessment, which reflects the market value of your home or land.
- The municipal tax rate, which is set by Council each year through the Property Tax Bylaw to fund local services.
- The provincial school tax rate, which is set by the Government of Alberta and collected by municipalities on behalf of the province to fund education.
Even if your property assessment increases, your total taxes may stay the same, increase or even decrease, depending on how municipal and school tax rates are set. However, the pending increase in the provincial school tax rate for 2025 will impact all property owners.
Where Can I View My Property Assessment?
The 2025 property assessments are now available online. Property owners can check their assessments and compare them with similar properties in Crowsnest Pass.
What If I Have Questions About My Assessment?
If you have questions about your property assessment, you can review your assessment and request clarification before filing an appeal.
Step 1: Review Your Assessment
- Compare your assessment with similar properties in your area.
- If you have questions about how your property was assessed, contact the assessor directly.
For assessment inquiries, contact Christopher Snelgrove, Municipal Property Tax Assessor, at 1-800-633-9012 or email christopher@benchmarkassessment.ca.
Step 2: File a Complaint (If Needed)
- If you believe your assessment is incorrect and have already spoken with the assessor, you can file a formal complaint with the Assessment Review Board.
- The deadline for filing an appeal will be listed on your assessment notice, which will be issued on April 30, 2025.
For assistance, contact the Municipal Taxation Clerk at 403-563-2203.
What Happens Next?
On March 11, 2025, Council will hold the first reading of the Property Tax Bylaw for the 2025 tax rates. This is when discussions begin on the municipal tax rate as it relates to the 2025 budget.
In the coming weeks, the Municipality will share more information about:
- How tax rates are set and how residents can participate in the process.
- The impact of the provincial school tax increase.
- Budget considerations and how municipal tax rates affect service levels.
Now is the time for property owners to review your assessments and ask questions before the tax rate is finalized. Staying informed will help you understand the property tax process and how it impacts your home or business.