Fire Ban - Lamont County (April 25)

FIRE BAN Due to dry conditions Lamont County Council has issued a fire ban, effective immediately.  No open fires or burning are allowed in campgrounds or in any other area within the County, no exceptions.  ALL FIRE PERMITS ARE SUSPENDED EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Propane Barbeques will be allowed for cooking purposes only. And MUST be attended to at all times while in use.

Fire Ban Notification

Property Taxes, TIPP and Tax Certificates

Corporate Services Quick Links


Financial Services

Tax Certificate Requests

Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)

Payment Options/Option Pay/Online Banking/Etc.
Tax Notices 

Property Tax Information

Declaration of School Support

Property Tax Frequently Asked Questions

 

The tax certificate gives you what is owing or if any amounts are outstanding. 

submission form.

Important: Proof of payment and current land title needs to be attached to request.

You can:

  1. Make payment at the Lamont County Administration Building;
  2. For email request, you can send a copy of the cheque by email, copy of your current land title, with mail to follow (sending the cheque via Canada Post or other delivery service); or
  3. Make a credit card online payment (lamontcounty.ca/departments/financial-services/online-payments) and send an email with proof of payment and current land title. 

 

Property Assessment Sheets

Realtors, etc. can request assessment sheets. The cost for this is $26.25 ($25+GST). This sheet provides information on assessment on land and property. It does not contain any tax levy information:

  • Email your request to: finance@lamontcounty.ca with a copy of proof of payment (or copy of cheque if payment to be sent in the mail), copy of the current land title, or complete the

submission form.

In accordance with Bylaw 816.20 and TIPP Policy FIN-POL-101-00, Lamont County offers taxpayers the ability to pay their property taxes in monthly installments by pre-authorized withdrawals from their bank account, rather than in one single payment. 

  1. WHY SHOULD YOU USE IT?
    • Easier budgeting because it breaks the annual tax payment into 12 monthly payments.
    • Convenient & reliable form of payment; no rushing to get to the office on due date.
    • No penalties on balances, provided payments are not missed.
    • Saves on cost of postage and travel.
  2. HOW DOES IT WORK?
    • Payments start in January and are withdrawn from your bank account on the 15th of every month.
    • Each monthly payment for the first half of the year is equal to 1/12th of the tax levy from the previous year.
    • Then for the second half of the year your payment is re-calculated based on the current year’s tax levy, less the amount already paid.
    • Once you have signed up for the Payment Plan you are automatically enrolled each year.
  3. WHO CAN USE THE TIPP PROGRAM?
    • Anyone who's taxes are not in arrears, and who signs up before December 31.
  4. WHEN DO I APPLY?
    • Application for the pre-authorized payment plan must be received prior to December 31 to make payments for the following year's taxes. Applications received after January 1 in any year will be considered for the following year.
    • Payments cannot begin part way through the year, as taxes are based on the calendar year.
  5. HOW DO I APPLY?
    • To apply for the pre-authorized payment plan, complete and sign the Authorization Form, attach a void cheque, and return to Lamont County.
  6. CANCELLATION OR WITHDRAWAL?
    • Contact us to withdrawal or cancel.

Here are some options that will eliminate having to wait in line on tax due dates:

I. Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)

In accordance with Bylaw 816.20 and TIPP Policy FIN-POL-101-00, Lamont County offers taxpayers the ability to pay their property taxes in monthly installments by pre-authorized withdrawals from their bank account, rather than in one single payment. 
  1. WHY SHOULD YOU USE IT?
    • Easier budgeting because it breaks the annual tax payment into 12 monthly payments.
    • Convenient & reliable form of payment; no rushing to get to the office on due date.
    • No penalties on balances, provided payments are not missed.
    • Saves on cost of postage and travel.
  2. HOW DOES IT WORK?
    • Payments start in January and are withdrawn from your bank account on the 15th of every month.
    • Each monthly payment for the first half of the year is equal to 1/12th of the tax levy from the previous year.
    • Then for the second half of the year your payment is re-calculated based on the current year’s tax levy, less the amount already paid.
    • Once you have signed up for the Payment Plan you are automatically enrolled each year.
  3. WHO CAN USE THE TIPP PROGRAM?
    • Anyone who's taxes are not in arrears, and who signs up before December 31.
  4. WHEN DO I APPLY?
    • Application for the pre-authorized payment plan must be received prior to December 31 to make payments for the following year's taxes. Applications received after January 1 in any year will be considered for the following year.
    • Payments cannot begin part way through the year, as taxes are based on the calendar year.
  5. HOW DO I APPLY?
    • To apply for the pre-authorized payment plan, complete and sign the Authorization Form, attach a void cheque, and return to Lamont County.
  6. WITHDRAWAL OR CANCELLATION?
    • Contact us to withdrawal or cancel. 

II. Postdated Cheques

  • You can pay your taxes with a cheque postdated to the tax due date. This will allow County staff time to check your payment. Staff can notify you prior to the due date if there are any issues with your payment. The payment is not processed or deposited in the bank until the date of the cheque.

III. Payment drop box

  • There is a payment drop box located on the wall to the right (west) of the Administration Building front door. Place your cheque in an envelope and drop it in the slot. Your payments will be processed promptly each morning (Monday to Friday). (NO CASH PLEASE!)

IV. Through Internet Banking or in Person at Most Financial Institutes

  • Lamont County is now registered with most Chartered Banks and Financial Institutions. This enables residents to make online payments through their bank for property taxes and accounts receivable. Go to the Online Payments page for more information.

V. By Credit Card using the OptionPay System

  • Lamont County is now allowing payment with select credit cards through the OptionPay System. This can be done online or at the Administration Office at 5303 50th Avenue, Lamont. OptionPay uses a tiered fee schedule (third party charges) with a minimum fee of $2.00.

2024 Tax Notices - Mailed Out May 23 (Due June 30)

Tax Payments are due by June 30. 

Payments must be received by the deadline. For payment options or to learn more please visit:

2024

2023

Notices are in the mail for May 23, if you have not yet received your notice by early June, please contact Lamont County.

2023

2022

FYI - Tax rates for 2024 include a responsible four per cent increase for residential/farmland to cover service level needs as set by Council. Additional rates within your tax notice (that are not set by Lamont County) include Alberta School Foundation, Seniors’ Foundation Requisition and Municipal Waste Expense - these rate increases contribute to a higher tax bill as compared to 2023. If you have concern with increases to the school portion please contact your MLA.

Lamont County derives the majority of its revenue to operate on from property taxes. Property taxes are calculated based on a market value assessment that is established by an accredited Assessor. The market value assessment is multiplied by a tax rate established by bylaw. 

Unless otherwise stated, taxes are due in full by June 30 of the same year. A late penalty charge of 10% will apply to current taxes outstanding after this date and if taxes are still outstanding on January 1, a further 10% penalty is applied to the balance.

Assessment Questions can be directed to our Assessors, Accurate Assessment Group Ltd. at 780-464-4655.

By provincial legislation, all individuals who own property located within a municipality where both a public school district and a Roman Catholic separate school district exist, are required to complete a Declaration of School Support form when a property is acquired. An individual may declare their support at any time.

The purpose of collecting this declaration is to apportion the percentage of the school tax collected on the property to the appropriate school district according to the declaration of faith.

1. Where do my taxes go?

Some services your taxes pay for include: community services and programming, water management, road maintenance, bridge repair, brushing and mowing, fire equipment and operations, safety and community peace officer, landfill, seniors’ lodges, and education.

2. Why did my taxes increase?

Taxes increase when a property assessment is updated or if a tax rate increase is determined by Council (reviewed annually). 

3. Why do I pay for education taxes?

School Tax is based on property, not who owns the property. All taxable properties including residential and commercial are required to pay school tax. These taxes are mandated by the Government of Alberta and it does not go to Lamont County.

4. How can I appeal my assessment?

Taxes cannot be appealed; however, property owners can appeal their assessed value. If you would like more details on filing an assessment complaint please visit Alberta Municipal Affairs for details.

5. I am having difficulty paying. Can I make an arrangement?

Lamont County offers taxpayers the ability to pay their property taxes in monthly installments with pre-authorized withdrawals from their bank account, rather than in one single payment each year. Download the TIPP Application Form.

6. When are tax penalties applied?

Penalties of 10% are applied on July 1 for balances not paid by June 30. An additional penalty of 10% is applied January 1 on these unpaid balances.

7. What forms of payment are there?

Lamont County accepts cash, cheque, debit or credit card (additional fees apply) for payment of taxes.

8. What is a property assessment?

A property assessment is the process of assigning a dollar value to a property for taxation purposes.

9. What does the Municipal Government Act define as property?

The Municipal Government Act defines property as: “a parcel of land, an improvement, and a parcel of land and the improvements on it.”

10. What other forms of revenue does a municipality have?

Lamont County revenues come from Net Municipal Taxes, Government Transfers for Operating, Sales and User Charges, grants, and other miscellaneous revenues.

11. Tax Certificates and Assessment Sheets

  1. Organizations that require a tax certificate with tax levy information, or assessment sheets with land and property information, can request this by email to finance@lamontcounty.ca. There is a fee for each service. The tax certificate gives you what is owing or if any amounts are outstanding. 
    1. Realtors, etc. can request assessment sheets. This sheet provides information on assessment on land and property. It does not contain any tax levy information. Email your request to finance@lamontcounty.ca. There is a fee for this service.
    2. Landowners can request a tax certificate or assessment sheet. Email your request to finance@lamontcounty.ca.