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1. Why are property owners asked to declare their faith?

The Constitution of Canada guarantees Protestant and Roman Catholic citizen’s minority rights to a separate education system. In those communities where there are separate school jurisdictions, which have opted-out of the ASFF, property owners must declare their religious affiliation to determine what education property tax dollars should be directed to those separate school jurisdictions.

2. Why do I pay for school taxes when I don’t have children going to school?

The prosperity and general well being of society, or the community we live in, is directly related to the education of its people. For this reason, the costs of education are deemed to be the responsibility of all of society. Your education, for example, if received in Canada, was largely paid for by the previous generation of taxpayers.

3. Do seniors have to pay education property taxes?

Yes, seniors who own property must pay education property taxes. In recognition of concerns raised by senior homeowners about year-to-year increases in the education portion of their property taxes, the Education Property Tax Assistance program was introduced. The program provides an annual rebate to senior homeowners who have an increase in the education portion of their property taxes.

Seniors can contact Alberta Seniors and Community Support toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or the Ministry’s website for more information on:
•Education Property Tax Assistance for Seniors program
•The Alberta Seniors Benefit
•Other provincial programs and services for seniors
Ministry Website