Tax relief program to help thousands in High River
Posted Jan 24, 2014 8:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Help will soon be on the way in the form of tax relief for property owners in High River displaced by the flood.
The Southern Alberta town, ravaged by flood waters seven months ago, will roll out a plan Friday that could mean thousands in tax credits.
“It provides some essential financial relief to help property owners rebuild,” says Tom Maier, High River’s chief financial officer.
To qualify, residents and business owners must have been out of their property for 90 days after the flood (later than September 18th, 2013.)
Applicants will need to provide documentation to prove they were displaced such as a form from an insurance adjuster, a hotel receipt or even a utility bill.
Anyone who doesn’t have proof could also sign a Statutory Declaration in front of a Commissioner for Oaths.
They’re bringing in extra staff to their office and they’re extending their hours to handle the influx of people expected to qualify.
Officials believe up to one fifth of the town could be eligible.
According to the town’s website, there’s still no word yet on the extent of the relief, but they anticipate it will likely be made available for 194 days from the flood to the end of 2013.
Refunds will then be issued once council passes a resolution on how many properties will qualify under the criteria.
The program will include all property taxes including residential, non-residential, municipal and education.
They plan to make commissioners available at the Charles Clark Medical Clinic from 4:30 to 7:30p.m. weeknights.
The province says 29 municipalities hit by flood waters are eligible for disaster recovery funding, including Calgary.
Right now only three have informed the provincial government they plan to move ahead with a tax relief program; High River, Medicine Hat and Rocky View County.
