This online option is the easiest way to send your supporting documents, such as your property tax bill, to the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program:
Submit documents online
Overview
The Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program allows eligible senior homeowners to voluntarily defer all or part of their residential property taxes, including the education tax portion. This is done through a low-interest home equity loan with the Government of Alberta.
If you qualify, Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program will pay your residential property taxes directly to your municipality on your behalf.
A Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program fact sheet is available with information on eligibility and how to apply.
Loan details
The current interest rate is 4.45%. It is reviewed, and may be adjusted, every 6 months in April and October. Simple interest charges start on the date that the program pays your property taxes to the municipality on your behalf, and end when the loan is repaid in full.
“Simple interest” is only charged on the original amount of your loan (not on the loan plus interest).
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program will register a caveat against your land title certificate to secure the loan you receive.
Monthly re-payments are not required. You can choose to repay the loan at any time, but it will automatically become due when:
- you sell your home
- you are no longer a registered owner
- the home is no longer your primary residence
Use the loan estimator to estimate your loan and interest charges for the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program.
Eligibility
Eligibility is not based on your income.
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- be 65 years of age, or older (only one spouse/partner needs to be at least 65)
- be an Alberta resident, having lived in the province for at least 3 months
- own a residential property in Alberta and the home must be your primary residence (the place where you live most of the time)
- have a minimum of 25% equity in your home to allow the government to secure the loan and ensure repayment when the loan is due
How to apply
You can apply at any time of the year.
However, you must apply at least 30 days before the municipal property tax deadline (usually June 30th of each year) to avoid penalties and allow enough time for the application to be processed and for the tax payment to be made on your behalf to your municipality.
For example, if the municipal property taxes are due on June 30, Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program staff should receive the application at least by May 31.
You will be responsible for any late charges incurred by missing your municipal property tax deadline.
You may choose to pay those late charges directly to your municipality or add them to the dollar amount of your loan application.
You can defer your taxes for up to 10 years without having to submit an application each year.
Step 1. Review the information guide
Review the Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program Information Guide, Loan Application and Agreement.
Step 2. Complete the application
Complete and sign the Loan Application and Agreement.
Include a copy of your municipal property tax bill for the year you are applying for.
Step 3. Send in your application
Use one of the following options to send your completed application and supporting documents, such as your property tax bill:
Fax to 780-644-1810
Mail to the address below:
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program
PO Box 1200 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2M4
The Government of Alberta reserves the right to deny an application for any reason at its sole discretion.
After you apply
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program staff will review your application and may contact you by phone for additional information.
When the review of your application is complete, you will receive written notification of your eligibility.
If a loan is approved, a caveat will be registered on your certificate of title in a Land Titles Office.
The program will pay the applicable residential property taxes to your municipality on your behalf.
If you are issued a loan, you will receive semi-annual loan statements in April and October confirming the balance of your loan.
Review
If you are notified you are not eligible for a Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program loan, you may request a review of the decision by writing to the Executive Director of Seniors Program Delivery.
Send information and supporting documentation that will assist with the review of your file to:
Executive Director
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program
PO Box 1200 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2M4
Or you may upload your letter at Alberta Seniors – Submit Documents or send by fax to: 780-644-1810.
Loan repayment
Monthly repayments are not required. You can choose to repay all or part of the deferred taxes and interest at any time without penalty, but it will automatically become fully due when:
- you sell your home
- you are no longer a registered owner, or
- the home is no longer your primary residence
Payments toward the loan will apply to the interest first.
Once the loan is repaid in full, the caveat will be discharged from the land title certificate.
Select one of the following options to repay all or part of your loan.
Contact
Connect with the Alberta Supports Contact Centre:
Hours: 7:30 am to 8 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-877-644-9992
Address:
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program
PO Box 1200 STN Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2M4