Property assessment is the process of assigning a dollar value to a property for taxation purposes. In Alberta property is taxed based on the ad valorem principle. Ad valorem means “according to value.”  This means that the amount of tax paid is based on the value of the property.

Property taxes are a primary source of revenue for municipalities. Property taxes are used to finance local programs and services, such as:

• Streets Roads & Airport Maintenance
• Recreation & Parks Programs and Facilities
• Library and Leisure Programs
• Water and Sewer Services
• Fire Protection and Bylaw Enforcement

Relationship between property assessment value and property taxes

Too often, the terms “assessment” and “taxation” are considered to be interchangeable. However, assessment and taxation are very different. Although one impacts the other, each is a distinct and independent process.  “Assessment” is the process of placing a dollar value on a property for taxation purposes. This value is used to calculate the amount of taxes that will be charged to the owner of the property. “Taxation” is the process of applying a tax rate to a property’s assessed value to determine the taxes payable by the owner of that property.

The Town of Hanna is responsible for ensuring that each property owner pays his or her fair share of taxes. Property assessment is the method used by municipalities to distribute the tax burden among property owners in a municipality.

Your Town of Hanna tax notice shows the assessed value of your land and buildings (improvements) as they existed on December 31 of that year.  The assessment is based on July 31 market value.  Your total assessment should be within 5% plus or minus of the current market value of your property.  In other words, if you were to sell your property today the assessed value should be comparable to what you would expect to receive. 

Hanna Tax Assessments

In Hanna, your property assessment has been calculated using mass appraisal techniques.  The assessment value of each property considers characteristics such as building and lot size, structure type, condition and age.  Typically, residential property values are determined through the direct sales comparison approach.  Non-Residential property values are determined using the income approach to value in conjunction with the direct sales comparison approach.  Special properties, such as schools and churches, are valued using the cost approach.  Similar properties in Hanna should have similar assessment values.

The purpose of the assessment is not to reflect single sales prices, but to access all properties at typical market value on the same valuation date, so that taxation is fairly and uniformly shared.  The Town of Hanna utilizes a qualified Assessor who assesses property based on provincial legislation and regulations.  This Assessor acts on behalf of Hanna's citizens and is dedicated to providing high quality assessments and excellent customer service to the taxpayers.

Assessments on properties within town limits are done in January and February by our contract property Assessor,  Regional Assessment Management Consulting based in Calgary.  Our agent is Barry Kautz and can be reached at  (403) 854-6070.

Tax Information Access

Under the Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act, property owners have unlimited access to their own property information, including assessments and tax information.  The Assessment Roll is public information and is available for viewing upon request at the Town Office.  We do not give out personal or tax information over the phone.

Tax Certificates include the following information:  Roll Number, registered owner, legal address, civic address, assessment for the previous year, and whether or not the taxes have been paid.  There is a fee for this service and appications must be received in writing.

Tax Notice Printouts include the following informaion:  Roll Number, registered owner, legal address, civic address, zoning, tax assessment, tax levy and balances and name of mortgage company (if applicable).  Some may also include lot size.  There is a fee for this service, and applications must be received in writing.

The notice contains Tax and Assessment information.  Please note the due date for payment of taxes is different than for assessment appeals.  If your taxes are not paid by the due date a penalty of 8% will be added.  If you have sold the property, please return the tax notice to the Town Office so that records can be amended.