Lac La Biche County Taxation
Understanding Your Assessment	Assessment & Taxation Services Our taxation services are located at our rural office RR 135 secondary HW 663 in Lac La Biche. Please visit our office if you need information, require forms, or have questions about property taxations. You can also retrieve forms by clicking on the links provided. Our assessments are done through the Assessment Valuation Group Inc. in Bonnyville. Please visit our office to pay for taxes, services, and utilities. Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. E-mail: main.office@laclabichecounty.com Phone: 780-623-1747 Fax: 780-623-2039 Address: Box 1679, Lac La Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0 Assessment Valuation Group Inc: E-mail: vkavg@telus.net Toll Free Phone: 1-877-826-3589 Address: Box 6979, Bonnyville, AB T9N 2H4
Tax Due Dates
Penalties
2009 By-Law
Calculate Your Property Taxes
Methods of Payment
Terms of Payment
Pre-Authorized Tax Payment Plan Form
Change Property Mailing Address Form
Utility Form

2009 OPEN HOUSE The assessors will be at the Lac La Biche County Rural Office, June 10^th from 11a.m. to 9p.m. for an open house. Feel free to come and ask questions about your tax assessments.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ASSESSMENT Taxes are based on the assessed value of your Lands and Improvements. Currently the assessed value should be at or near the market value (what you could sell your property for.) Once the assessed value is in place, Lac La Biche County applies a tax rate to that value to collect our municipal taxes and to collect sufficient funds for the Alberta School Foundation Fund and any other requisitions. If you feel that the value of your property is incorrect, our assessors would be pleased to review and discuss the process if how they determined your assessment value. The assessors have the authority to change your assessment if it is incorrect. If you are not satisfied with the assessor’s information you may, within 30 days from the tax notice mailing date, file a written complaint to the Chief Administrative Officer, indicating why you feel the assessment is incorrect. This does not apply to Linear Assessment. Please note: Legislation only allows for your appeal of assessment, not taxes. The fees for filing a written complaint on your assessment are: Residential/Farmland- $20.00 Non-Residential- $100.00 These fees will be returned to you if you are successful in defending your position at the Assessment Review Board. The function of the Assessment Review Board is to determine whether your property is being assessed on an equitable basis with similar properties. Our Assessors are: Assessment Valuation Group Inc. Box 6979, Bonnyville, AB T9N 2H4 Toll Free Phone: 1-877-826-3589
ASSESSMENT COMPLAINTS Must be returned within 30 days of the mailing date of this notice to: Chief Administration Officer Lac La Biche County Box 1679 Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0
TAX DUE DATES The “Due Date” for the property tax payment is June 30 to avoid all penalties. Payment must be made at the County Office during office hours. If payment is forwarded by mail, the envelope must bear a postmark of no later than June 30. (Taxes levied are deemed to have been imposed for the period from January 1, to December 31, of that year.)
PENALTIES A Penalty of 5% will be charged on all outstanding balances on July 1^st of each year. A second penalty of 7% will be charged on outstanding balances November 16^th of each year.
NOTE Any payment for property tax forwarded by mail shall be deemed to have been received on the same date as the POSTMARK stamped on the envelope (a postage meter imprint is not acceptable.) Receipts issued in acknowledgement of a cheque or other negotiable instrument shall be valid only when the amount of such cheque or instrument has been collected by Lac La Biche County. Any property with respect to which the taxes are in arrears is liable to proceedings under the Municipal Government Act. Where taxes are paid by a mortgage company, the owner is responsible to ensure that the taxes are paid on time. An appeal against your property’s assessment value does not exempt you from paying taxes on time or from late payment penalties. If an appeal is successful the adjustment will be applied to the tax roll. Receipt for payments received by mail shall only be mailed out at the request of the ratepayer.
Lac La Biche County Mill Rate Changes 2008-2009


METHODS OF PAYMENT Payments may be made by cash, money order, personal encoded cheque, draft, debit card, telephone or computer banking, payable to Lac La Biche County. Ensure that the remittance portion if the notice accompanies your payment if paying by mail or in person. CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED – 2.5% penalty applies to credit card transactions. Payments may be made: In Person: During business hours (8:30a.m. – 4:30p.m.) County Office Mon-Fri 13422 Hwy 881 Lac La Biche, Alberta By mail to: Lac La Biche County Box 1679 Lac La Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0 Bank or Credit Union: PC or Telebanking Deposit the remittance portion of your notice, along with your payment, in the envelope depository at the front entrance of the County Office. Please do not send cash in the mail or drop box slot. Allow three business days before penalty date to ensure payments are processed on time. Your roll number is your account number. Please retain all confirmation numbers and documentation through telephone or internet banking.
Lac La Biche County Terms and Conditions Pre-Authorized Payment Plan A Pre-Authorized Payment Plan is a means by which taxpayers may make consecutive monthly payment for taxes rather than a single annual payment.
Calculations Your most recent annual tax levy is divided by 12 to establish a monthly payment amount. Payments shall begin January 1^st of the New Year and continue for 12 consecutive months. Payment amounts will be adjusted in June to compensate for changes in taxes resulting from the annual tax levy. Your annual tax bill will show the total amount of installments paid to date and the calculation of the monthly installment payment for the remaining payments in that year. Payments may only be made by automatic withdrawal from a chequing/savings account at Canadian financial institution. You must give written permission before the withdrawal will begin. Lac La Biche County does not charge for this service, however, normal bank service charges may apply. If for any reason your property taxes are changed during the year, you will be advised in writing of the new amount of the installment payment. If your tax installment increases for any reason other than the annual tax levy, you will be given 115 days notice before the installment amount is increased.
Withdrawal/Non-Payment You may withdraw from the plan by giving notice, in writing, by the 15^th day of the month preceding the next payment date. NOTE: If you withdraw from the plan after June 30 a penalty in accordance with the Tax Penalty Bylaw will be applied to the tax balance. If any payments are not honored by your bank, a service charge of $25.00 will be applied. Lac La Biche County shall cancel the agreement upon default and all unpaid taxes become due and payable and are subject to penalties in accordance with the Tax Penalty Bylaw.
Selling property/Change of Bank Account If your property is sold or title transferred, or you have a change in bank accounts, it is the responsibility of the participant to inform the Tax Department in writing. We require the notice of change by the 15^th of the month prior to the next withdrawal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the conveyancing lawyer or notary provides you with a full credit on your statement of adjustments. How do you apply? Complete and sign the application form, by clicking the link or obtaining one from the County Office. Return it along with a sample cheque, your bank account number, marked “VOID” by March 31 to: Lac La Biche County Box 1679 Lac La Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0