Assessments | Town of Olds

Your annual property assessment reflects the estimated market value (the amount it likely would have sold for on the open market) as of July 1 of the previous year, according to the Municipal Government Act. Real estate market conditions may change between the valuation date and the time you receive your assessment. Any changes after July 1 will be reflected in the following year’s assessment.

For a broader explanation of how property assessment and taxation work in Alberta, visit Assessment in Alberta.

Virtual City Hall

Assessment and property details are available by logging into Virtual City Hall. Virtual City Hall provides a variety of web tools to help you check, review and compare your assessment to other similar properties for fairness and equity.

Assessment Review & Appeals

The Assessment Review Period provides 60 days to review your property assessment, ask questions, and speak with the Town’s assessor if anything appears to be inaccurate. It is also the period during which a formal appeal may be filed with the Central Alberta Assessment Review Board.

Assessment Review

Property owners who believe their assessment is incorrect or contain errors can contact the Town’s appointed assessor, Grant Clark, at 1-888-419-2128, or submit an Assessment Inquiry Request.

The assessor may inspect your property and update the assessment if changes are required. A revised notice will be issued if a correction is made.

If the review does not resolve your concerns, you can file a formal appeal with the Central Alberta Assessment Review Board.

Central Alberta Assessment Review Board

The Central Alberta Regional Assessment Review Board (RARB) is an independent quasi-judicial board established by the authority of the Municipal Government Act, this board is responsible for making decisions regarding property assessment complaints.

Decisions of the RARB apply the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness in a consistent manor.

There are two types of assessment review boards that hear property assessment appeals:

Local Assessment Review Board (LARB)

Residential property with three or fewer dwelling units
Farmland
A tax notice other than a property tax notice

Composite Assessment Review Board (CARB)

Residential property with four or more dwelling units
Non-residential property

This board provides a mechanism for citizens to appeal their property assessments.

Joint Assessment Review Board Bylaw 2020-01

Assessment Appeal

If the review did not resolve your concerns, you may file a formal assessment complaint, also known as an appeal. This is a provincially legislated process and must be filed with the Central Alberta Assessment Review Board. It requires submitting the correct forms, supporting details, and associated fee by the deadline printed on your assessment notice.

Your appeal package must include the following;

Assessment Review Board Complaint Form PDF
Agent Authorization Form PDF if filing on behalf of another
Clearly states the correct value and why with supporting documents.
Appeal application fee

Complaints and accompanying fees and documents must be submitted/received by the deadline printed on your assessment notice to:

Town Of Olds
3501 70 Avenue
Olds, AB T4H 1L7

The Alberta Municipal Affairs website also provides online information in the form of various guides, frequently asked questions, and other resources.

Fees

Before your appeal will be considered, you are required to pay a Complaint Fee as per the Town of Olds Rates Bylaw.

Complaint fees for the assessment complaint process are:

Residential (three or fewer dwellings) - $50.00 per complaint
Residential (four or more dwellings) - $250.00 per complaint
Non-residential – $250.00 per complaint

Note: the fee is refundable if the appeal is successful.