Athabasca County Council has passed two new bylaws—Bylaw 017-2025 and Bylaw 018-2025—designed to offer targeted tax relief for residents and small business owners affected by property assessment changes in 2025.
Extended Tax Payment Deadline
With the adoption of Bylaw 017-2025, the County has deferred the 2025 property tax payment deadline for some properties from July 31 to October 31, 2025, effectively cancelling a 4% penalty that would have been imposed on overdue payments starting August 1.
The 2025 property tax payment deadline applies to the following property classes:
- Residential
- Residential Grant in Lieu
- Farmland
- Farmland Grant in Lieu
- Non-Residential – Small Business
- Non-Residential
- Non-Residential Grant in Lieu
This change aims to ease the financial burden on property owners whose assessments increased due to newly evaluated developments and changes to former farmland assessments. Designated Industrial Properties, which are assessed by the Government of Alberta, are not included in the payment deadline extension.
The 8% late penalty will still apply for unpaid taxes as of November 1, 2025. The amendment does not alter the legislated timeline for assessment complaints, which must still be filed by the deadline indicated on the tax notice.
The deadline to appeal your assessment remains the same. July 21, 2025 is the last date to file a complaint regarding your 2024 Property Assessment as shown on your 2025 Combined Assessment & Property Tax Notice
Extended Small Business Declaration Period
Council also passed Bylaw 018-2025, extending the application period for the Small Business Property Sub-Class for the 2025 tax year. Non-residential property owners now have until August 11, 2025, to submit their small business declaration—an extension of 60 days from when the bylaw was passed. The original deadline was January 31, 2025.
This provision allows eligible small businesses to benefit from a 25% reduction in the mill rate applied to non-residential properties, as introduced under Bylaw 012-2023. In 2024, only four small businesses were classified under this tax category; that number grew to 58 in 2025, and the County hopes this extension will allow even more small businesses to take advantage of the program.
“These changes are a direct response to the feedback we’ve received from residents and business owners,” said Athabasca County Reeve Tracy Holland. “Council recognizes the importance of providing effective support during times of change, and these bylaws reflect our commitment to ensuring fairness and flexibility in local taxation.”
For more information on these bylaw changes or to apply for the Small Business Property Sub-Class, visit www.athabascacounty.com/government/assessment-taxes/ or contact the County Office at (780) 675-2273.
