Investing your tax dollars in our City services Our Finances

The City of Calgary is working hard to ensure Calgarians receive outstanding value for their property tax dollars. Investing wisely requires proper planning throughout the year to ensure the services and programs we offer meet citizen needs, align with Council direction and fit within our budget. Click on the topics below to learn how each contributes to Calgary being a great place to live and work.

Quick link:
Get an estimate of your 2021 property tax bill today. Enter your property assessment(s) on calgary.ca/taxcalculator to see the year-to-year change, and where your tax dollars are being invested.

We align our services and programs with your priorities

Citizen priorities

Council has identified five Citizen Priorities in The City’s One Calgary Service Plans and Budgets based on citizen input. Each priority includes what The City aims to achieve over the next four years. Service-based adjustments are made each year based on citizen input and other factors such as economic and financial forecasts and population and inflation levels.

The City's One Calgary plans & budgets outlines how we will provide and fund services.

Plans & budgets

Every four years, we deliver plans and budgets based on Council's direction and citizen input. These service plans and budgets provide a roadmap for Calgary every four years, so we stay focused on delivering service value to Calgarians in a financially responsible way.

The assessment process determines everyone's share of property tax.

Property assessment

Your property tax bill is based on the budgetary needs of The City (municipal tax) and The Province (provincial tax) multiplied by the portion allocated to you. The value of your property determines your portion. The assessment notices we mail in January informs you of your property's assessed value.

The City collects taxes in June to pay for City services and programs Calgarians value and use every day.

Property taxes

Approximately 65 percent of residential property tax goes to City services, while the remaining 35 percent goes to the Province. Property taxes make up about half of The City's operating budget. Property tax bills are mailed each May and can be paid monthly or as a lump payment by June 30.

How we deliver value through City services and programs

The property tax you pay is your investment in making Calgary a great place to live. City tax-supported services and programs cost $5.88 a day for a typical Calgary household in 2021.

Financial facts

We're answering your questions and addressing misconceptions about our City finances and services as part of our commitment to remain an open, transparent and accountable local government.

How your property taxes are calculated
Learn how we fairly and equitably assess your Residential & Non-residential property.
Use our Tax Calculator to get the details behind your City and Provincial tax bill.
Join The City’s Tax Instalment Payment Program to help manage expenses.

Essential City facts

Determining your fair share of property tax

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Caution | State of local emergency renewed until May 24, 2021