Accurate Assessment Group

The assessment function is contracted to Accurate Assessment Group (AAG). They performs all facets of the annual assessment process. AAG, as a qualified professional organization, ensures the County assessment base is fair, equitable and prepared as required through Provincial Legislation. As per 284.2 of the Municipal Government Act, Council is required to appoint, through resolution, an independent third-party assessor for the County. 

Accurate Assessment Group welcomes any questions regarding the assessment of your property.

Fill out the Assessment Inquiries Form to receive more information about your property assessment.

Or contact, Troy Birtles, Assessor
Email: troy@aag-gis.com

Assessment General Overview

The County’s assessment department is responsible for the assessments of all residential, commercial, industrial and farmland properties located within Woodlands County.   

Alberta Municipal Affairs is responsible for the assessment of linear properties which include, oil & gas wells, pipelines power lines, telecommunication systems. Although a property is classed as linear, and assessed by the Province, surface equipment, for this asset is assessed by the County’s contracted assessor.   

Woodlands County has implemented market value assessments, as required by the Municipal Government Act and associated regulations. Market value assessments are used for residential and non-residential properties. Annually prepared assessment data is used as a means of distributing taxes among properties within Alberta municipalities.

Residential and Non-Residential Property Assessment

Physical condition of the property on December 31^st and market value on July 1^st of the preceding year are taken into consideration when assessing residential and non-residential properties.  Once the assessor has gathered all pertinent information on your property, they may compare the values generated through open market sales, to confirm their data is aligned with current activity.  Assessment of the property includes land and land improvements but does not include any personal belongings.

Farm Properties / Farmland Assessment

Farmland assessment values are not assessed at market value, but rather through values regulated by the Province.  There are many characteristics that are taken into consideration to determine the values, some common ones are depth, soil type (black, dark grey), stones, topography, and topsoil.

Also, as regulated by the province, farm buildings, such as barns, granaries, and garages are not assessable and therefore are not factored in or used in determining the total assessed value of the farm.

Farm residences are assessed at market value, as are the first 3 acres encompassing the building site. While assessed at market value, prior to finalizing the assessed value, the residence is given an exemption based on the assessed value of all the farmland in the owner’s “farm unit.”  

In this example the residence is located on Quarter #3.

To determine the exemption given to Residential Market Value Assessment:

Assessment for Quarter #3

Designated Industrial Property (DIP) Assessment (Machinery & Equipment)

Examples of industrial properties include compressor stations, dehydrator packages, gas plants, sawmills, separator packages.   Industrial operations classified as small, are assessed using the Provincial Machinery and Equipment assessment manual. Industrial assets identified as large properties are assessed using installation costs which have been adjusted for certain non-assessable costs. Determination of small or large would be done through legislated means.

For questions regarding Designated Industrial Property (DIP) Assessments, please call Municipal Affairs 780-427-4864 or email MA.asbcia.asmt@gov.ab.ca 

Assessment Review Board

If you believe your own or any other assessment is unfair, you may file a complaint form (available at local municipal office) to the Assessment Review Board. 

The Assessment Review Board has the authority to review your assessment and direct the assessor to make amendments. 

It’s function is to hear evidence as to whether or not your property is assessed on an equitable basis with similar property.

Please note: Your complaint must be made on or before the date shown on the front of your tax notice you received from Woodlands County.

Please mail your complaint (with full details) to:

Woodlands County
Assessment Review Board Secretary
Box 60 #1 Woodlands Lane
Whitecourt, AB
T7S 1N3

ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD COMPLAINT FORM

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