Background
In Alberta, education is a provincial program. The taxes that fund the program are raised and distributed on a provincial basis. Education property tax dollars are pooled in the Alberta School Foundation Fund (ASFF) and then allocated among school boards throughout the province. Municipalities collect education tax dollars from their ratepayers, and send them to the Province and, in some instances, to a separate (Catholic) school board.
The Alberta Government annually determines the total revenue required for education purposes across the province through the property taxation system. The total assessment of all properties in a municipality is used as the basis for calculating the municipality’s share of the total provincial amount. Every municipality’s share of the total provincial amount is called the Education Property Tax Requisition. Annually, the Province issues these requisitions to all municipalities, obligating them to collect the necessary revenue through property assessment and taxation.
Municipal Councils have no input into the amount required to be paid. The Municipality simply collects school tax on behalf of the Province.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I receiving this form?
The Province mandates each municipality to provide property owners with the option to have their education property tax allocated to either the Public or Separate (Catholic) School systems. Coalhurst is now required to have their property owners declare their preference via a signed form.
Why are property owners asked to declare their faith?
In Alberta, the Constitution guarantees Roman Catholic citizens’ minority rights to a separate education system. In communities with separate school jurisdictions, property owners can declare they are of the Roman Catholic faith so their education property tax dollars can be directed to those separate school jurisdictions.
What if I ignore this form?
If a form is not received for a property, the Town lists that property as ‘Undeclared’ and the education property tax portion for that property will automatically default to the public system.
Where do I send the completed form?
Completed and signed forms need to be returned to the Coalhurst Town Office, either in person or by mail. Unfortunately scanning and emailing the document is not available, as we require the original signed copy for our records. If you drop off the form outside of regular office hours, please use the all-hours drop box located at the front entrance of the Town Office.
What does the Education Property Tax pay for?
The education property tax supports all public and separate school students. The education property tax helps pay for instructional costs including teacher salaries, textbooks, and other classroom resources.
How is my share of the education property tax calculated?
Your share is based on the assessment value of your property and the local education property tax rate. A decrease in the local education property tax rate can help lessen the impact of assessment value increases on your individual tax bill.
Where does the education property tax go?
The money collected from the education property tax goes to fund Albertans’ priorities in education. The education property tax is pooled into the ASFF and then distributed among Alberta’s public and separate school boards on an equal per-student basis.
How does the Province collect the education property tax?
Every year, the Province calculates, based on assessment value, the amount each municipality must contribute towards the public education system. Municipalities collect the education property tax from ratepayers and then forward it to the Province for deposit into the ASFF.
Does everyone pay the education property tax?
All property owners pay the education property tax (with some exceptions, such as some non-profit organizations and seniors’ lodge facilities). As the education system benefits all Albertans, people without children in school also pay the education property tax. Every Albertan benefits from a quality education system. The education property tax supports an education system that is producing the workforce of tomorrow.
Can I direct my education property tax to a private school?
No. By provincial law, money collected through the education property tax can only be used to fund the public education system, which includes public and separate schools. Private school funding comes from three sources: provincial general revenues, tuition or instruction fees paid by parents, and private fundraising.
For more information, please contact the Town Office:
Phone: 403-381-3033
Email: [email protected]
In person: 100 51 Ave, Coalhurst, AB, T0L 0V0