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1. When were tax notices sent out?

All of the 2016 combined Property Assessment and Tax Notices were mailed out on Thursday, May 19, so if you have not received your notice make sure you give City Hall a call and they can provide you with a reprint.

2. What charges will the average resident see on their City of Brooks tax notice?

The amounts typically included on the tax notices are:
1. Property tax levy, which includes:
a) The Alberta School Requisition which is passed on to the Province;
b) The Newell Foundation Requisition which is passed on to them for seniors lodging; and,
c) Municipal portion of taxes which is used by the City to provide municipal services.
2. Repaving tax, which is a special tax levied for the repaving of the streets in the City.
3. If you are hooked up to surface irrigation, this charge will also be included on your tax notice.

3. What services are paid for with municipal taxes?

Municipal taxes go toward many services including but not limited to:
1. Protective services such as Policing, Fire Services & Bylaw enforcement;
2. Road maintenance including snow clearing & street sweeping;
3. Park maintenance;
4. Recreation programs and facility maintenance (also subsidized by user fees); and,
5. Community programs & facilities such as the Library, Museum, FCSS and the Handibus

4. What is a “mill rate”?

A mill rate is the % used to allocate property taxes to each taxable property based on its assessment. It is determined by the amount of revenue required for the entire City (based on budgeted expenses) divided by the total taxable assessment. Property Assessment page

5. When are taxes due?

In the City of Brooks, they are due on June 30 of each year.

6. What is the penalty for late payments?

Very recently, council reduced the penalty rates knowing that there may be more people unable to pay their taxes on time. So if you cannot pay your taxes by June 30, you will be charged 4.75% on any unpaid balance of your current tax bill. Then on November 1, a further 2.27% will be charged on unpaid balances of your current tax bill. (This is down from 8% & 4% respectively). On March 1 of the following year, a 9.75% penalty will be charged on any balances outstanding (Council will review the bylaw prior to this penalty being charged).

7. Are the penalties discretionary?

No, the penalties are mandated through legislation (penalty bylaw). Although if the City has made an administrative error, any associated penalties will be waived.

8. Is there a payment plan available?

Yes, we have a payment plan, known as TIPP, which enables you to pre-pay your taxes through equal monthly installments. If you are not signed up currently, you can join and begin paying your 2017 taxes through this program. We also have a tax arrears payment plan, known as TAPP, which enables you to pay off any tax arrears that you have in equal monthly installments. Payment Plans page