May 21, 2008
(Red Deer, Alberta) – This year’s Tax Notices are on their way, and property owners are encouraged to pay early to ensure payment is processed on time and avoid late penalties.
Tax payments are due on or before Monday, June 30, 2008. “Property owners can pay in a variety of ways but no matter how you choose to pay, The City must receive processed payments on or before the deadline,” said Joanne Parkin, Assessment and Taxation Services Manager.
Property owners can pay 2008 taxes in one lump sum payment, or set up monthly payments as part of The City’s Tax Installment Plan (TIP) program. Citizens who want to pay monthly must register for the TIP program on or before June 18. Since the first half of the tax year has passed, the entire portion of taxes already owing from January 2008 to the date a taxpayer enrolls must be paid. The remaining balance of their 2008 property taxes is then pro-rated and paid monthly through their bank account.
“The TIP program is an easy and convenient way to pay property taxes. Once enrolled, there is no need to re-register each year,” said Parkin. “Monthly tax payments to The City will continue until property owners contact us to cancel.”
Those who choose to pay property taxes in one lump sum can do so by coming in-person to the City Hall cashiers or dropping payment off in an envelope in the City Hall night depository located on the east side of the building. The last day for in-person payments at City Hall is Monday, June 30 by
4:30 p.m.
Payments postmarked June can also be sent to The City of Red Deer by mail to Box 5008, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 3T4. Most chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies and ATB Financial branches also accept payment, but it is property owners’ responsibility to take into account payment processing times and ensure payments are received by The City of Red Deer by the due date in order to avoid penalties. These processing times must also be considered when paying by internet and telephone banking.
“People sometimes don’t account for the time it takes banks and financial institutions to process payments,” said Parkin. “If we don’t receive the processed payment on or before the deadline the property owner is penalized for late payment.”
Many property owners have their mortgage company pay their property taxes as part of their mortgage agreement. “We recommend these individuals review their Tax Notice to make sure the mortgage company responsible to make the payment is identified correctly. If this information is inaccurate, it is the property owner’s responsibility to contact the mortgage company and have it corrected,” said Parkin.
Property owners who miss the June 30 payment deadline will have to pay a six per cent penalty on the outstanding property taxes owing. The penalty is calculated in a lump sum adjustment on July 1. For example, if $2,000 is left unpaid on June 30, a penalty of six per cent or $120 is applied to the account on July 1.
Property owners who do not receive their 2008 Tax Notice by Friday, June 6 should contact Assessment & Taxation Services at (403) 342-8126 or at the Professional Building, 2nd floor, 4808 50 Street. More information about The City of Red Deer’s property assessment and taxation is available online at www.reddeer.ca/tax.
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For more information, please contact:
Assessment & Taxation Services
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8126
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