Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP)

Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP)

The Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) enables taxpayers to make automatic monthly tax payments instead of a lump sum. The Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) offers:

  • No large lump-sum tax payments.
  • No fees or interest for monthly payments.
  • Automatic continuation each year once enrolled.
  • Avoidance of penalties, provided property taxes are always current.

How it Works

The Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) enables taxpayers to make automatic monthly tax payments instead of a lump sum. Withdrawals are processed on the 16th of each month (or the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday), spanning from January through December.

If you join before January 1, your monthly payment is calculated by dividing your previous year’s total tax levy into 12 equal instalments: 

(Previous Year tax Levy – Payments Made to Date) ÷ 12 = Monthly Instalment

After receiving your current year's property tax notice in June, your July to December payments will be adjusted to reflect the current property tax levy. The revised instalment amount will begin on July 16th and continue until December 16th. The revised monthly instalments are determined by subtracting any payments made to date from your current year's property tax bill, then dividing the balance by six: 

(Current Year tax Levy – Payments Made to Date) ÷ 6 = Monthly Instalment

If you join after January 1, you can choose to either:

   1.   Pay all missed instalments from January up to your enrollment date, or

   2.   Spread the remaining balance equally over the remaining months of the year.

Your participation continues annually and will automatically continue each year without the need to reapply.

Eligibility & Enrollment

To join the TIPP program for January, all taxes, arrears, and penalties must be paid in full by December 31 of the previous year. You must not have taxes paid through a mortgage company.

Enrollment requires completion of a TIPP Authorization Form and providing of a void cheque or an official confirmation of account details. The form can be submitted by email, mail, or in person. Once processed, you will receive confirmation of your monthly payment amount and start date. 

Withdrawing from TIPP

TIPP renews automatically each year and does not require re-authorization. To withdraw, you must submit the completed TIPP Cancellation Form  at least 14 calendar days’ written notice before the next scheduled payment date. Payments already made will not be refunded or transferred; they will remain on your tax roll as a prepayment of taxes.

If you withdraw, any unpaid balance becomes immediately due and may be subject to penalties.

Cancellation and Removal from the Plan

The Director of Corporate Services and Finance will cancel your enrollment when two monthly payments are missed. A Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee will be charged for any returned payment, in accordance with the current Fees and Rates Bylaw, and added to your tax roll.

If your enrollment is cancelled by the Municipality, the unpaid balance becomes immediately due and subject to penalties under the current Tax Penalty Bylaw. You will not be eligible to rejoin TIPP until the following taxation year, and a new application will be required.

If the Municipality transfers outstanding amounts to a TIPP-enrolled tax roll under Section 553 of the Municipal Government Act, your enrollment will be automatically cancelled.

Your Responsibilities as a TIPP Participant

It is your responsibility to provide the Municipality with correct bank account information and to ensure that your payments are being processed as authorized. If incorrect banking  information is provided and payments are missed, the Municipality is not responsible for the missed payments.

If you need to update your banking information, please fill out and submit the TIPP Change of Banking Information Form.

Questions?

For more information about the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP), please see Bylaw No. 1014 - Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP)

For any questions about the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP), please contact the Department of Corporate Services and Finance by email at taxes@mdfairview.ab.ca or phone 780-835-4903.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my monthly payment amount change in July?

As property assessment values and tax rates both change each year, the property taxes levied will as well. Consequently, your monthly payment must be re-calculated in July to achieve a zero-balance owing by December 16th (or the next business day) of the respective year. 

I am enrolled in TIPP. Why does my property tax notice show a balance owing? Do I need to pay it?

The Municipality is legislated to send an annual property tax notice to every property owner, even if you are enrolled in the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP). This notice is not a request for payment for TIPP participants.

Each year, property taxes are levied July 1 and cover the period from January 1 to December 31. Because you are paying your property taxes in 12 monthly instalments, the property tax notice will show a balance still owing for the remainder of the year. This is normal an to be expected.

After property taxes are levied, your monthly payment amount will be adjusted to ensure your balance is paid in full by December 16 (or the next business day). You will receive a letter confirming your new monthly payment amount. As long as you remain enrolled and your payments continue, no action is required and no penalties will be applied.

Can I pick my monthly payment date?

No, all Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) payments are processed on one day each month (the 16th, or next business day). 

What if I sell my property?

If you sell your property, you must withdraw from the the TIPP Program. It is your responsibility to withdraw from the program by completing the withdrawal process in full, in compliance with determines timelines.

Failure to do so may result in payments continuing to be withdrawn from your account.

Can I skip or pause a monthly payment?

There is no option to skip or pause monthly payments. Skipped payments can lead to removal from the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) programs and the application of penalties pursuant to the Tax Penalty Bylaw. However, you do have the option to cancel your participation in the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP). If you do cancel, all unpaid property taxes become immediately due and may be subject to penalties as established by the Tax Penalty Bylaw. 

 

Can I change the amount of the payment?

Your monthly TIPP payment has been calculated to ensure your tax account has a zero balance with the final payment withdrawn on December 16th (or the next business day). 

Your monthly payments can be lowered by making a lump sum payment and requesting a recalculation. If you decide to make a lump sum payment, it cannot be automatically withdrawn. Visit Payment Options for all payment options including online banking options.

A recalculation does not occur automatically following a lump sum payment(s). You are required to request recalculation by contacting the Department of Corporate Services and Finance by email at taxes@mdfairview.ab.ca or phone at 780-835-4903.

What if I do not have sufficient funds in my account to make the monthly payment?

A Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) charge, in an amount set by the current Fees and Rates Bylaw, will be levied by the Municipality on all defaulted payments and added to the affected tax roll. Additionally, your bank may impose its own NSF charges for the defaulted payment.

The Department of Corporate Services and Finance may cancel enrollment in the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) Program, in the event that the participant defaults on two payments.

Are the TIPP payments I have made transferable to another property (or tax roll)?

No.

Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) payments made remain with the property (and respective tax roll) identified at the time of enrollment. 

I own more than one property in the Municipality. Can I pay my property taxes for all of them through TIPP?

Yes.

As the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) agreement are unique to each property (and respective tax roll), you will need to complete and return a Tax Instalment Authorization Form for each property (and respective tax roll) you wish to enroll in the plan.

Why are payments not being withdrawn from my bank account?

Ensure your bank account information is correct! The onus of providing correct banking information to the Municipality lies with the taxpayer. If incorrect information results in a monthly instalment payment(s) not being made by the financial institution, the Municipality assumes no responsibility for the same.

Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) enrollees are responsible for verifying that the preauthorized payments are being made in accordance with the executed authorization. For the purposes of clarity, the onus is on the taxpayer to notify the Municipality of any errors which must be corrected to ensure instalment payments are being made as authorized.

Do TIPP participants pay more than the property tax bill?

No.

When your annual property tax notice is mailed in June, July to December instalments are reviewed and adjusted to ensure participants pay no more or less than your annual tax bill. The Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) participant’s property tax bill amount is paid in full after the December 16th (or next business day) instalment. 

Taxpayers who are not enrolled in TIPP must pay their full property tax bill on the due date of July 31 of each year.

Are there any fees or costs to participate in TIPP?

No.

Enrolment in the Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) program is a service provided free of charge from the Municipality. However, your banking institution may apply service fees.