My joy in an increased property tax bill!

[MomToTwoBoys]

I'm almost afraid to look at my tax bill come January. There's been talk of a 25% over three years raise across the board, which they were tweaking the last time I knew. Calgary's 2009 operating budget is sitting at 7.9 billion dollars at the moment for the next three years. Their capital budget is about 4 billion over three years.

They say they trimmed the property tax rate increase substantially, but I have no idea what it is and I can't find it on the www.calgary.ca website.

Oh here it is:

Homeowners in Calgary will now pay a 5.3 percent increase in property taxes for 2009. That's down from the originally proposed 9.6 percent. During 2010, homeowners will pay an increase of 6.1 percent in property taxes; in 2011 the increase will be 6.7 percent. So how much does this mean to me?

I paid $1,387 for 2008. In 2009, my property tax will go up 74 dollars for the year. With one of our tax credits ceasing in August, it's going to be harder for us. Even though it's only $6 a month extra to pay, that's still money we have to account for throughout the rest of the year. Paying property tax really sucks, but I guess it's better that we have a house above the value we paid for it.

[bumplett]

or you can look at it this way....

at least you have a house to pay taxes on.

right??

((trying to find your silver lining for you))