October – February: Assessment Review Conducted
March – April: Assessment Notices Are Mailed Out
May: Assessment Appeals Deadline
Assessments
An assessment is a value placed on your land and buildings to determine the fair distribution of property taxes.
The assessed value on your notice is based on the previous year’s market conditions (not the current market conditions) and the physical condition and characteristics of the home as of the previous December.
Your assessment notice is not a bill but the assessment value will be used to determine your property tax levy (assessed value x tax rate = property tax levy).
Important Dates
If you do not agree with the assessor’s explanation or calculation, you have the right to file a formal complaint to the Assessment Review Board within 60 days from the Mail-out date of your assessment notice. The Assessment Review Board will then review your case at a hearing.
If you file a complaint, please make sure to submit your form with the $50 payment – otherwise the complaint is not valid.
Your Assessment
You are entitled to receive sufficient information about any assessed property (as per section 299 and section 300 of the Municipal Government Act.
Check out your summary report on the City’s Webmap.
Note: Google Chrome is required for the Webmap. Quick instructions are below:
- Click here to open webmap
- Once the map opens, click searches on the top left hand side
- Select your street and house number and click search
- Click on your highlighted property and you can view your assessment reports by year). More detailed instructions are available in our Webmap User Instructions.
The Assessment Process
- Assessment Report – Presentation to Council (April 2018)
- Property Assessment & Tax 101
- Guide to property assessment and taxation in Alberta
- Video: How Assessment & Taxation Work (Video by the City of Airdrie)
- Learn more about the assessment profession at the Alberta Assessors’ Association website.
- Assessors are audited by the Provincial Government. Learn more about the Assessment Services Branch.
Questions & Concerns
- If you have questions about your assessment or disagree with it, you can contact Accurate Assessment Group at bob@aag-gis.com or 1-877-438-2305.
- If you re required to leave a voicemail, Accurate Assessment Group will return your call within one business day.
- If you have questions about your assessment information or would like to speak to the Tax Clerk, email taxes@chestermere.ca or call 403-207-7057.
General Assessment & Taxation Information
Appeal Process
If you have questions about your assessment or disagree with it, you can contact Accurate Assessment Group at bob@aag-gis.com or 1-877-438-2305.
If you would like to talk with the assessor to review your property’s assessment, they will be available in March and April. Appointments are required and can be booked by calling (403) 207-7057.
If you do not agree with the assessor’s explanation or calculation, you have the right to file a formal complaint to the Assessment Review Board. The Assessment Review Board will then review your case at a hearing.
To File An Official Complaint
- Complete a formal complaint form (see below) and submit fee.
- Complaints must be received by the Assessment Review Clerk at the Municipal Office.
no later than 60 days from the date of mailing of your assessment notice. - For more information, contact the City at (403) 207-7050 or email taxes@chestermere.ca.
When Completing The Complaint Form, Please note:
- An Assessment Review Board must not hear any matter in support of an issue that is not identified on the appeal form.
- Appeals with an incomplete appeal form, appeals submitted after the filing deadline of 60 days from the date on the Property Tax and Assessment Notice, or appeals without the required filing fee, are invalid.
- If you have discussed the matters of the appeal with an assessor, be sure to include a statement specifying the date and outcome of the discussion including details of any issues or facts agreed to. If you have not discussed the matters of the appeal with an assessor, specify why a discussion was not held.
- Should you have an agent file an appeal on your behalf, you must complete and sign the Assessment Complaints Agent Authorization form.
- The reasons for an appeal must accompany the appeal form, including:
- In what respect that information is incorrect, including identifying the specific issues related to the incorrect information that are to be decided by the Assessment Review Board and the grounds in support of these issues
- The requested assessed value, if the appeal relates to an assessment
- What information shown on the assessment notice is incorrect
- What the correct information is
- Your appeal form must be accompanied by the filing fee.
- Your appeal must be submitted in writing on the form set out by the Government of Alberta.
- You must include your mailing address
FAQ
When Will I Receive My Assessment Notice?
Assessment notices are mailed in March. If you have not received your notice by the end of March, please contact the City of Chestermere by calling (403) 207-7050. Assessment reports are also be available online. Please review your notice carefully once you receive it. If you have general questions, call the City at (403) 207-7050. If you have detailed questions about your property, call the Assessor at 1-877-438-2305.
What Does My Assessment Mean?
Your assessment is an evaluation of the market value of your property on July 1st of last year.
Market value is defined as the price a property might reasonably sell for after adequate time and exposure to an open market when sold by a willing seller to a willing buyer.
Why Is My Property Assessed?
In Alberta, the amount of tax a property owner pays is according to the value of the property (your assessment).
Who Assesses My Property?
Assessments for all types of property are prepared by professional, certified assessors. Assessors receive training in a variety of areas including property valuation techniques, legislation, and quality assurance. Assessors must hold a designation and follow the assessment regulations set out in the Municipal Government Act. Assessors are also audited by the provincial government.
The City of Chestermere contracts Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. to provide assessments for our community. This company comes to Chestermere each year (usually in the spring/summer) to complete the City’s assessment.
How Is My Assessment Determined?
Factors that are taken into consideration when determining the assessed value of a specific property include the size, type, and age of your property, as well as its location, style, condition, upgrades, and lot size. The selling prices of similar properties in the same neighbourhood or similar areas are also considered.
Properties in Alberta are assessed using a ‘mass appraisal’ method, which is the process of valuing a group of properties as of a given date using common data, mathematical models, and statistical tests. Information is collected by gathering data from on-site visits (as described above), real estate Multiple Listing Services (MLS), Alberta Land Titles, and financial institutions.
I Believe My Assessment Does Not Accurately Reflect The Condition Of My Property. What Should I do?
If you would like detailed information in how your evaluation was determined, you can call the City’s assessor, Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. at 1-877-438-2305 or you can arrange to meet with them when they are in Chestermere (call 403-207-7050 to book an appointment). If you still disagree with the Assessor’s evaluation after contacting them, you can file an official complaint and appeal.
Where Can I Find More Information About This Process?
-You can look up more information about your property on our Webmap. -If you have questions about your specific property evaluation, contact Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. at 1-877-438-2305 or email bob@aag-gis.com. -If you would like to know more about the provincial regulations and guidelines for the assessment process, click the link below: