You may use the RMWB's Online Payment Portal to pay your taxes via credit card. Please note - this service is administered by a 3rd party provider and a percentage convenience fee is charged by the provider to cover their payment handling and processing charges.
Property Taxes
Property tax notices are sent in May and payment is due on the last business day in June each year.
Read this guide for a quick breakdown of where your property taxes go and the programs and services they pay for.
Quick Links
- Property tax payment options
- Late payment penalties
- Tax Rates
- School Support
- Tax Refund Requests
- Frequently Asked Questions - Property Taxes
- Related Links
Property tax payment options
Property taxes may be paid using any of the options listed below.
- Internet banking using the Tax Account Number or the Tax Roll Number printed on your bill
- In person at any Canadian chartered bank, Alberta Treasury Branch or Servus Credit Union
Payments can be paid in person at Jubilee Centre, as well as rural contact offices. In-person service will be available Monday to Friday between the regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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You cannot pay property tax in person with a credit card
- You can pay taxes in person by cash, debit card or cheque. (Be aware of your daily withdrawal limit when using your debit card.)
Pay your taxes through convenient automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account. Sign up for the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP). Payments are automatically withdrawn from your chequing account on the first of each month, which prevents added penalties.
To apply for the TIPP, visit pay.rmwb.ca to complete our online application. Or you can complete and sign the TIPP Application Form and return it along with a “VOID” cheque to the email address or mailing address indicated on the form.
To cancel your TIPP or change your banking information, go to pay.rmwb.ca and click on the link that says “Change/Cancel Pre-Authorized Tax Payments”. Changing or cancelling your TIPP does not change or cancel your Tax account and must be done at least 10 business days before the next pre-authorized payment withdrawal is due. If you cancel your TIPP all unpaid taxes become due immediately and are subject to penalties in accordance with Municipal penalty bylaws.
For questions or help with setting up your TIPP, cancelling your TIPP or changing your banking information, contact us by emailing assessment.taxation@rmwb.ca or call Pulse.
If you pay PIT (principle, interest & taxes) to your mortgage company and your mortgage number is missing from your tax notice, please contact your mortgage company directly to verify or arrange for payment. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure property taxes are paid on time.
If you wish to have your property taxes added to your mortgage agreement for payment, you must contact your mortgage company directly.
Mail (cheques, money orders and certified bank drafts)
Cheques, money orders, and certified bank drafts can be made out and mailed (or couriered) to:
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Ave.
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4
Reminders
- Please include the remittance portion of your tax notice with your payment.
- Mailed payments must be dated and postmarked no later than the due date shown on your tax notice to avoid penalty.
- Do not mail cash.
Late payment penalties
Late payment penalties will be applied to any outstanding balance of property taxes by the schedule below.
|
|
July 1 |
September 1 |
November 1 |
January 1 |
|
Current |
3% |
7% |
3% |
- |
|
Arrears |
2% |
2% |
2% |
9% |
Simple penalties are calculated on the current year balance. Compound penalties are calculated on the arrears (prior year) balance.
Tax Rates
The services the Municipality provides to residents and businesses are supported by property taxes and other revenue streams, such as user fees and grants.
Every year, the Municipality develops a Tax Rate Bylaw that sets all the tax rates for the various classes of properties in the region, with Council typically reviewing and approving the bylaw in May.
On behalf of the Province, the Municipality collects education taxes, senior citizen lodge accommodation taxes and the designated industrial property requisition. The RMWB does not determine these tax rates or receive any revenue generated from these levies.
Tax rates reflect differences in service delivery and include the:
- Urban residential tax rate
- Urban other residential tax rate (apartments)
- Urban non-residential tax rate
- Rural residential tax rate
- Rural non-residential tax rate
Senior Citizen Lodge Accommodation Taxes
The RMWB is required by legislation to bill and collect taxes on behalf of the Provincial government for the senior citizen lodge accommodation taxes. The amount collected is determined by the lodge accommodations in the region, with the tax levy being distributed amongst taxpayers based on the assessed value of their property.
Designated Industrial Property Requisition Tax Rate
The designated industrial (DI) property requisition tax rate applies to all industrial property owners in Alberta. This tax rate will appear as a separate line item on every DI property owner's tax bill. The Municipality collects this tax on behalf of the Province and does not set the rate or retain any revenue from this tax.
Designated Industrial Properties within the Municipality are assessed by the Provincial Assessor. To learn more and for contact information, please visit Alberta's Designated Industrial Property Assessment webpage.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is required by legislation to bill and collect taxes on behalf of the Provincial government for the Alberta School Foundation Fund and the Fort McMurray Roman Catholic Separate School District #32.
School support on a property is shown as "undeclared" unless a declaration of school support is filed by the property owner with the RMWB. If you wish to declare or change your school support designation, please:
- Complete the school declaration form:
- School support form for individuals
- School support form for corporations
- Print completed form and email or mail it to the Assessment and Taxation Department using the contact information on this page.
- A declaration form can also be obtained by calling Pulse or visiting the Assessment and Taxation office.
Please remember the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has no jurisdiction or control over school board budgets or operations, the Municipality only bills and collects school taxes on behalf of the Province.
If you wish to request a property tax refund, please contact the Assessment and Taxation branch for more information.
After speaking with the Assessment and Taxation department, a Tax Refund Request Form must be completed, signed and submitted to the Municipality's Tax branch. All requests for property tax refunds must be made in writing and approved by the Municipality before a refund may be issued.
When a property is sold, the lawyers representing the vendor and the purchaser calculate any tax adjustment.
Learn more about property assessments and filing an appeal.
How is my property tax bill calculated?
Your property tax bill is determined by taking the assessed market value of your property and applying the appropriate property tax rate as set in the Tax Rate Bylaw. You can look up your most recent assessment online and use the Tax Estimator Calculator to get an estimate for your upcoming tax bill.
Who sets the Municipal tax rates?
The Municipal tax rates are set by Council as part of developing and approving the annual Tax Rate Bylaw, which typically happens in May. The Municipality does not set the rate for education taxes, senior citizen lodge accommodation taxes or the designated industrial property requisition tax rate.
The amount of property tax revenue needed to support core services and programs is defined in the annual budget process.
Property taxes are used to recover the costs to support the core services residents rely on, such as:
- Police
- Fire and ambulance
- Regional Emergency Services
- Bylaw
- Road maintenance
- Parks and green spaces
- Playgrounds
- Infrastructure projects
I haven't received my tax notice in the mail. How can I get another copy?
If you do not receive your tax notice by June 10, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or toll-free at 1-800-973-9663.
How does my assessment affect taxes?
Your tax bill is calculated by taking the assessed market value of your property and applying the appropriate tax rate. Assessed property market value x tax rate = tax bill.
Annually updating property assessments does not generate more money for the RMWB. Although it does redistribute the tax burden within tax rate classes and between the property classes to ensure everyone is contributing a fair amount.
The Municipal Government Act requires municipalities to complete annual general assessments, a process which helps minimize tax shifts experienced by individual taxpayers.
Learn more about Property Assessments
Why is my property tax notice different this year?
Your property tax notice depends on the market value assessment of your property as of July 1, of the year prior to the tax year, as well as the mill rate set in the Tax Rate Bylaw.
For example, property owners whose property values have increased more than the municipal average will pay a greater share of taxes. Property owners whose property values have changed at an amount less than the municipal average will pay a smaller share of taxes.
Can I authorize an agent to represent my taxation account?
If you would like to authorize an agent to represent your taxation account, please complete the Taxation Agent/Representative Authorization Form.
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