Do you need to file a complaint? Follow these steps:
Your complaint may be about any of the following, as shown on the Assessment Notice.
Contact the assessors about:
Contact the Tax Department about:
Step 1 Review
You have 60 days from when the Assessment Notice is mailed to review your assessment:
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Are the details correct, for example your name, address, or school support declaration?
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Does the property classification (residential, non-residential, or farm) correctly describe your property?
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Is the assessment value a reasonable estimate of the typical market value of your property as of July 1 of the previous year?
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Is your assessment equitable with others in your neighbourhood? Check comparable properties within your neighbourhood at www.cochrane.ca/eServices/taxroll or in person at Town of Cochrane Administrative Offices at the Cochrane RancheHouse. When comparing your property take into consideration structure, size, age, quality, condition, and location.
Step 2 Contact
After reviewing your Assessment Notice any questions or concerns may be referred to
Town of Cochrane Assessors.
As a property owner, you are entitled to access or receive sufficient information about your proerty and a summary of any assessment in accordance with sections 299 and 300 of the Municipal Government Act.
To receive this information you must submit a request in writing directly to the Assessment Department within the 60-day complaint period. Request forms can be filled out online, emailed, faxed, or mailed to the assessors at the Town Administrative Offices.
Request Forms:
Step 3 Complaints
Provincial legislation and Town bylaws outline how complaints must be made.
After discussing your concerns with an assessor, if you are still not satisfied, you have the right to file a complaint with the Assessment Review Board.
To file a complaint, complete a complaint form and submit it, along with the correct filing fee. Complaints must be processed on or before the Final Date for Complaint on the front of the assessment notice, or the complaint is not valid. The fee is refunded when the Board makes a decision in your favour.
Filing Fees (cheques payable to Town of Cochrane):
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Residential 3 or fewer dwellings - $50 per complaint
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Residential 4 or more dwellings - $250 per complaint
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Non-Residential - $250 per complaint
Complaint Forms (Alberta Municipal Affairs) (PDF)
Mail or deliver your completed complaint form and required fee to:
Assessment Review Board Clerk
Town of Cochrane
101 RancheHouse Road
Cochrane, AB, T4C 2K8
Agent Authorization
An agent may not file a complaint or act for an assessed person or taxpayer at a hearing unless the assessed person or taxpayer has prepared and filed an Assessment Complaints Agent Authorization Form with the Assessment Review Board Clerk.
Download the Agent Authorization Form (Alberta Municipal Affairs) (PDF) or pick one up from the Town Administrative Offices at the Cochrane RancheHouse
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What is an Assessment Review Board?
The Assessment Review Board is usually a two to three member board responsible for hearings and rulings on assessment complaints. The Board ensures that the complainant (the taxpayer) and the assessor receive a fair and impartial hearing. The Board hears evidence to determine if a property has been valued or classified correctly, or to determine if exemptions were properly applied.
Board members come from the local community and are appointed by Town Council and the Province. The Assessment Review Board is independent of the Municipality and its assessors. Get more information on Assessment Review Boards.