Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Northern Sunrise County Council made changes to its Tax Penalties Bylaw to accommodate new software utilized by its administration.
“The County’s new financial software does not support more than three tax penalties to be applied in any given year,” explains Reeve Corinna Williams.
“Administration has updated the Tax Penalties Bylaw to allow for three tax penalties in the year instead of five. The total percentage imposed for the year remains the same at 12 per cent.”
Outstanding balance on tax accounts will now have late payment penalties imposed on the entire balance on July 1, Sept. 1 and Nov. 1, all with a four per cent charge when the payment has not been completed.
“This has been done purely for administration effectiveness,” explains Willaims.
“Unpaid tax penalties will incur when left unpaid, four per cent for first four months, eight per cent for next and for a full year the 12 per cent will be applied.
Williams explains the tax penalty bylaw is written for individuals who have not paid their municipal taxes or any other unpaid taxes within the municipality.
“As per the Municipal Government Act (MGA) Sections 344, 345 and 346, municipalities may by bylaw impose penalties for unpaid taxes,” Williams says.
“This was necessary after the purchase of new accounting software and to bring efficiencies.”
Before the change in the bylaw, NSC ratepayers who had not paid their taxes on time would face a four percent penalty on July 1 and an additional two per cent every month after that until Nov. 1.