How Should Alberta Value Pipelines, Power Lines, and Industrial Property for Taxes?
Official title: Assessment Model Review engagement
Alberta is reviewing how it calculates property taxes for pipelines, power plants, railways, telecom towers, and industrial equipment. These properties rarely sell on the open market, so the government sets special rules to value them. The goal? Fairer assessments for both municipalities (who collect the taxes) and the companies that own this infrastructure.
Why This Matters
Live in a small Alberta town? Your municipal services depend on property taxes from pipelines and power lines running through your area. If these assessments change, your town's budget could shift. For energy workers, this affects the companies you work for and their operating costs.
What Could Change
Starting in 2025, Alberta is using a new method to calculate yearly adjustments to regulated property values. The full review will update assessment models for telecom, railways, power systems, pipelines, wells, and industrial equipment by 2028. This could shift how much tax different property types pay—and which municipalities benefit.
Key Issues
- How should Assessment Year Modifiers be calculated to adjust property values annually?
- What rules should govern how construction costs are reported and assessed?
- How should assessment shifts be implemented to minimize disruption for municipalities and property owners?
How to Participate
- Review the AMR infographic for an overview of the review process and timeline.
- Read the AYM Fact Sheet to understand the new methodology for calculating Assessment Year Modifiers.
- Contact Municipal Affairs at ma.amr@gov.ab.ca with questions or concerns about the review.