Taxes and Utilities
Albertans have the lowest personal taxes in Canada, and competitive utility rates
Alberta's personal tax advantage results from a low single rate income tax system (10%) including the highest basic and spousal exemptions in the country, no general sales tax, the lowest gasoline tax rate among the provinces, and low property taxes.
Income Taxes
Federal Income Tax
| Income |
Tax Rate |
| On the first $40,726 of taxable income, + |
15% |
| On the next $40,726 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $40,726 and $81,452), + |
22% |
| On the next $44,812 of taxable income (on the portion of taxable income between $81,452 and $126,264), + |
26% |
| Taxable income over $126,264. |
29% |
Provincial Income Tax
| Income |
Tax |
| Basic Personal Amount |
0% |
| Taxable income |
10% |
Property Taxes
Municipal property taxes for the largest communities in Alberta SouthWest (Crowsnest Pass, Cardston, Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod, Claresholm) average roughly $1600 based on average home sale prices – roughly 25% lower than a Calgary Region average of roughly $2200.
Municipal tax rates for every community in Alberta
To calculate a specific tax rate for you, multiply the tax rate by the purchase price of a house you are interested in, and divide by a thousand.
Utilities
Approximate annual utility fees* for an average house in the Alberta SouthWest Region are as follows:
| Utility |
Est Annual Fee |
| Municipal water and sewer |
$520 |
| Garbage/recycling (where applicable) |
$190 |
| Gas (heating) |
$765 |
| Electricity |
$820 |
| Phone (optional) |
$600 |
| High speed Internet |
$600 |
All rates and charges will vary depending on intensity of resource use, market adjustments to gas and electricity pricing, and annual municipal consideration of adjustment of tax and utility rates.
If you are looking at rural properties, be aware that the vast majority have independent water well/sewage systems and therefore have independent rather than utility costs associated with them.
Electricity/Natural Gas are deregulated in Alberta. The Alberta government provides a web site to assist consumers with choosing an appropriate provider for their residence or business. To learn more about electrical or natural gas providers visit
www.ucahelps.gov.ab.ca
*To calculate water and sewer rate, an average of 2010 rates of four urban communities in the Alberta SouthWest Region (Claresholm, Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod) based on average water consumption. To calculate gas and electricity rates, average annual gas and electricity consumption is multiplied by 2010 rates.
