Assessment

Tuesday, 19 October 2010 10:01 Last Updated on Monday, 14 February 2011 20:18 Written by Administrator

The goal of the Kneehill County assessment department is to provide accurate and equitable assessments that are used for the purpose of collecting property taxes. The property tax is an important source of revenue. The assessment is used to determine each individual property owner’s share of the total property tax. The provincial government establishes the legislature, policies and guidelines that determine how assessments are to be done. The Kneehill County Assessment Department calculates the assessment per the provincial legislation and guidelines.

Residential and non-residential properties other than special purpose properties are assessed at market value using mass appraisal techniques. Market value is determined by examining multiple sales of property. It is not the specific price of an individual property. Property owners have the right to inspect the assessment roll and can get an explanation of how their assessments are prepared by contacting the County office. They also have the right to appeal their assessment to the Assessment Review Board and the Municipal Government Board. The appeal must be in writing and must be made within 30 days of the mailing of the assessment notice. The appropriate filing fee must accompany the appeal to the Assessment Review Board.

Farmland is assessed per regulated rates based on the productivity value of the land. The current provincially set base rate is 350 per acre for 100% land farmed without the advantage of irrigation.

Industrial oilfield, manufacturing plants and special purpose properties are assessed using the cost approach.

Attention Farmers:

Any parcel of farm land that has a residence or residential site, whether or not it is occupied, is liable to a three acre market value on the land as well as the value for the residence.

This market value on the land is usually considerably higher than the Agricultural Use Value that is placed on the balance of the land in the parcel.

Grain bins, machinery storage buildings, livestock shelters are exempt from taxation on farm land provided they are used in the farming operations. These improvements on non farm properties are liable to taxation.

A property that has services necessary for a residence could be deemed to have a residential site even if there is no residential structure.

A property with an older residence even though some, but not all services are available, may be assessed with the three acre site value.

A farm property that has a non-farm, non-residential use such as a gravel pit or an automobile repair operation is subject to a commercial or industrial assessment on the land as well as the related buildings or other improvements.

An oil or gas well on your farm land is liable to assessment and taxation. In this instance only however the owner or operator of the well is liable for the equipment and building assessments as well as the taxes. You as owner of the land are still liable for the land assessment and taxes.