Property Tax Information

You receive your annual Property Assessment Notice by the end of May each year. This bill covers the period from January 1st through December 31st of the current year. If you are not participating in the TIPP program, tax payment is due before June 30th. An 8% penalty will be applied to all outstanding taxes on July 1st, the day after payment is due. 

Market value, as defined in the MGA, 1 (n), means “the amount that a property might be expected to realize if it is sold on the open market by a willing seller to a willing buyer.” Market value assessments are done using mass appraisal techniques, which determines property values by grouping similar properties as of a specific date.

Some of the factors that determine the value of your home include style of house, square footage, lot size, basement finish, walkout, year of construction, overall quality, and location. Unique location influences like mountain and river views naturally lend themselves to an overall higher market value compared to other jurisdictions.

Municipalities levy taxes to help pay for services such as police, fire, parks, recreation, and public works. Town Council reviews and approves the amount required to fund these services each year.

From this amount, sources of revenue other than property taxes, such as provincial grants, license fees, and user fees, are subtracted. The balance is the amount to be collected through property taxes. For the current year, approximately $2 million is required from property taxes to support Town services.

To determine the amount of your property tax, the assessed value of your property is multiplied by the combined municipal, school, and Chinook Foundation Mill Rates for the year.

Sign up for the TIPP Program

If you would like an automatic way to pay your property tax, you can sign up for the TIPP program. Participation in the TIPP means that you don’t have to worry about the payment deadline or late payment penalties. Your taxes are spread over the 10 months prior to the deadline, and the amount is withdrawn from your bank account automatically on the 3rd day of each month from August to May. If there was a change in your assessment, a final payment will be withdrawn on June 30 to arrive at the correct amount. The remaining amount to be taken on June 30th will be shown on your tax notice.

The TIPP Application form can be found here.

Paying Taxes Online

You can pay your taxes online through banks that offer online payment options. The process is simple. Use the six-digit “account number” shown on your assessment notice and pay the amount owing to TOWN OF CARDSTON TAXES or TOWN OF CARDSTON UTILITIES. Please make payment for only one property at a time. Please contact your banking institution for aid or information.