Property assessment + taxes FAQ

An assessment notice that has "improved" identifies that the land has a building, and it is not vacant.

Improved does not mean a change has occurred, it only reflects that a structure of some type exists on the land.

Assessment notices are mailed early to give you time to review and request corrections within the 60-day review period.

The real estate market sets the market value of your property. Assessors use mass appraisal techniques, considering sales of similar properties, location and property characteristics (geographic location, building style and size of property). All assessments are prepared in accordance with the Municipal Government Act and the requirements of the Matters Relating to Assessment and Taxation Regulation. 

Even in the same area, factors like lot size, home size, renovations and property age can create differences in assessment values.  

We use a comparison of property characteristics to similar sale properties within our community. Assessments are based on comparable property sales as of July 1 of the previous year. 

Use the following tools to compare your assessment to similar properties based on size, age, quality, condition and location:  

• Property Search
• Property Viewer 

Not necessarily. Your assessment reflects your property’s estimated market value. Tax rates, which are set in May, determine your final tax bill.  

Yes. GST is factored into the market value of your home and should be reported to the Land Titles office. Since GST is typically recovered when a home is resold, no adjustments are made to the assessed value.

Your assessment is based on your property’s physical condition as of Dec. 31 of the previous year. Significant renovations or additions can increase your market value and assessment. 

Log in to eServices and check the “Assessment” tab for historical information. 

If you recently sold your home, the Town may not have received the updated ownership details from Land Titles yet. Ownership records are updated twice a month. 

If the title transfer was not processed before assessments were mailed, you may not receive a notice. You can look up your assessment using the Property Search tool. 

Email taxes@cochrane.ca and contact the Calgary Land Titles Office at 403-297-6511 to update your Certificate of Title.

Email taxes@cochrane.ca with your update.

You can find your legal land description by doing a Property Search tool on eServices.