Our Finances

Investing your tax dollars in Calgary Our Finances

Our operating budget is used to deliver City services such as police, fire, and transit. Property taxes comprise about half of the operating budget. The remainder comes from user fees, permits, and licensing.

Our Service Plans and Budgets run for four years, but Council can make annual changes in November to respond to Calgarians’ priorities. Any budgetary changes made by us, the Government of Alberta or changes in your property’s value can impact your annual tax bill. 

When and how annual adjustments are made

Improving the services that make Calgary a great place to live

  • 2025 City services investments

    To deliver on Calgarians’ priorities, Council adjusted the service plans and budgets. View the improvements being made for 2025.

  • Where do your taxes go?

    About 37% of your property tax bill goes to the Province, and we use the remainder to deliver services. Get a complete breakdown of where your money goes.

  • Pay your property tax

    There are many ways to pay your property tax, either month by month or all at once. Learn more about how to pay your property tax.

Property taxes fund less than half of our operating budget, and we only collect what is required to deliver City services. If we spend less than we budgeted for or have higher revenue, we report those savings annually as a favourable operating variance.

2025 Operating budget

Long description for screen readers

Percentage of operating budget revenues for 2025
Types of revenues Percentage
Property taxes 46%
Sales of goods and services 26%
Franchise fees 4%
Investment income 4%
License and permits 3%
Fines and penalties 1%
Government grants 2%
Return on equity 3%
Other non-tax revenue 3%
Contributions from reserves 8%

 

2025 Expenditure by service

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Percentage of 2025 Expenditure by service
Types of expenditure Percentage
Building, Planning and Business 10%
Corporate Programs 14%
Enabling Services 7%
Mayor Council < 1%
Information and Communication                          < 1%
Parks, Recreation and Culture 5%
Public Safety and Bylaws 18%
Social programs and services 3%
Tax and Property Assessment < 1%
Transportation 17%
Utilities 24%
City Auditor’s Office < 1%

Learn about City Finances

  • City budget

    Learn more about our budgets that work to strike a balance between the services you use every day and costs.

    Budget overview

  • Financial Facts

    Get the facts about property tax affordability, reserves and our finances.

    Learn more

  • Tax calculator

    Get an estimate and complete breakdown of your residential property tax bill. Property assessment notices are mailed each January.

    Learn more

  • Financial Reports

    Annual, Progress Update and Plans & Budgets reports. 

    Long-range plans.

    Learn more

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Residential tax bill inserts

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