Note: The Property Tax Assistance program is closed for the 2011 program year. Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 program, however applications cannot be reviewed until after the 2012 Property Tax Bills are delivered, usually in late May. Application reviews will begin June 1, 2012.
Help is available.
The City of Calgary
Property Tax Assistance Program
The City of Calgary's Property Tax Assistance Program is administered by Community and Neighbourhood Services, Senior Services division.
If you are a residential property owner experiencing financial hardship, regardless of age, you may be eligible for a credit on your property tax account through the Property Tax Assistance Program.
To be eligible, the applicant(s) must:
- Experience an increase in municipal property taxes from 2011 to 2012.
- Live in the principle residence for a minimum of one year
- Own no other property.
- Not exceed household income guidelines of:
- $22,637/one person
- $28,182/two persons
- $34,646/three persons
- $42,065/four persons
- $47,710/five persons
- $53,808/six persons
- $59,907/seven persons or more.
- Must provide a proof of income for all members of the household 18 years of age and older. The following is a list of documents that we will accept. Please note that the applicant needs to submit only one of the following:
- Notice of Assessment issued by Canada Customs Revenue Agency (CCRA) for the previous year, or
- AISH, or
- Letter from Registered Social Worker in Alberta (with her/his Registration number and contact information), or
- Employment Insurance statement of income, or
- Income support statement, or
- Refugee status
Please Note: There will be a slight change in the allowable income limits in June 2012.
Usage Notes: Use this form to apply for property tax assistance. Upon completing this form, you will be contacted by a program representative within 45 days. Even if you are not eligible for this program, you may be able to access other available resources.
Please note: Applying for the program does not alter your property tax obligation. If you are not enrolled in the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP), you must pay your taxes in full by June 30, 2012, to avoid penalty.
Even if you are not eligible for the Property Tax Assistance Program, we may be able to help you access other available resources.
All information submitted for property tax assistance is handled in a confidential manner.
Personal information is collected in accordance with Section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). If you have any questions about the collection of this information, please contact Susan Fernando at 403-268-4833, PO Box 2100 Station M, Calgary, AB T2P 2M5.
Please call 3-1-1 (24 hours a day, seven days a week) for more information.
Property Tax Deferral Program for Low Income Seniors
The City of Calgary’s Property Tax Deferral Program is intended for low-income seniors who own their own homes. Currently, program staff will be accepting names for those who are interested in the program. Please call 3-1-1 for more information.
The Province of Alberta
Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors
The Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors program, provides eligible senior homeowners a rebate to assist with the year to year increases in the education portion of their property tax over a base year.
To be eligible for the Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors program, you must be:
- 65 years of age or older,
- an Alberta resident,
- own residential property in Alberta, and
- have had an increase in the education portion of your property taxes.
A “base year” is set to determine eligibility for a rebate. The rebate amount is the difference in the education tax amount between the base year and the amount in following years. For most seniors enrolled in the program the base year is 2004. However, if you turned 65 or moved during the tax year, your base year will be based on the year the event occurred.
Alberta Seniors has partnered with The City of Calgary to automatically enroll seniors in this program. Unless notified by the Province, seniors who previously enrolled in this program do not need to submit copies of their 2011 property tax notice Senior homeowners who have never applied to the Seniors Financial Assistance programs should complete an application for the Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors program. A copy of your property tax notices should be included with your application.
You only need to apply once. Rebate cheques are mailed starting in the summer after the property tax notices have been issued. If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992.
