Taxation FAQs

A convenient option is to register for the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP) which allows you to pay your taxes in 12 monthly installments with no additional charges. You can set this up at any time during the year. All the required steps are explained in the online form, including what you need for banking information: a scanned copy of a void cheque, or account withdrawal authorization document from your financial institution. 

Need a paper form?
Good news, the online form is PRINTABLE if you choose - simply choose "print blank form".  

Need more help?
If you visit our Customer Service Representatives in-person at City Hall, they can assist you to fill out the form. 
Please be sure to bring your banking information along with you - either a void cheque or account withdrawal authorization document from your financial institution. 

Other methods:

• Direct payments: Visit us to pay in-person at City Hall (cash, cheque, debit card, credit card).
• Online Banking: You can pay your taxes online through your financial institution using the Account Number for Online Banking located on the top, right corner of your Tax Notice.
• • Please check with your banking representative as to their procedure for processing payments by this method.
  • Allow at least two (2) business days for your payment to be posted to your tax account.
• SwiftConnect: Sign up for online billing and payment options. Please allow at least two (2) business days for your payment to be posted to your tax account. 
• E-Transfer (NEW): Payment can be sent via e-transfer to frontline@swiftcurrent.ca, which reaches our customer service representatives. Please indicate your civic address for the account, OR, your account number, in the comments section of the e-transfer transaction. Without proper identifying information, your payment cannot be applied to your account. Thank you! 

If you wish to enrol in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP) please complete the PAP online application form and follow the instructions within it for setting up your banking information (void cheque or account withdrawal authorization document from your financial institution). You may also print a blank form from that link, or fill out an application form at City Hall. 

Once you have enrolled in the Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP), monthly payments are withdrawn from your bank account beginning on the 15^th of January until the 15^th of December. The Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (PAP) allows you to begin paying your taxes early so you do not have to make a single lump sum payment on the due date. 

Payment for current year's taxes received after the due date, but postmarked before the due date, are considered on time as well as any payments placed before the due date in the overnight deposit box at City Hall. All other payments are considered to be late and subject to penalty (1.0% per month compounded).

Yes. Your taxes must be paid in full by the due date.  If after your appeal, the Board of Revision decides to lower your assessment, an adjustment will be made to your tax account and you will receive an amended tax notice stating the new tax amount.

Under The Urban Municipality Act and other legislation, the City can add special charges to your tax bill, such as:

• Unpaid public utility bills.
• Local improvement charges.
• Long Term Care Levy.
• Recreation Levy
• Costs incurred by the City to perform work on your property.

Under one of several bylaws, costs related to noxious weeds, junked vehicles, or untidy and unsightly land are incurred when the property owner has failed to complete these tasks.

All property owners - whether they have children attending school or not - are required by Provincial law to pay school tax.

The prosperity and general well-being of society, or the community at large, is directly related to the education of its people. For that reason, the costs of education are deemed to be the responsibility of everyone.

Provincial legislation specifies that the funds for schools are to be collected by municipalities. While the City of Swift Current bills its taxpayers and collects school taxes to remit to the Province, the municipality has no jurisdiction or control over education mill rates, school board budgets or operations. Please see "Tax Contacts" for City and School Board contact information.

Each property is assessed according to the guidelines established by The Urban Municipality Act (UMA) and the Saskatchewan Assessment Manual.

Homes may have different assessments based on these guidelines. A building's value is impacted by factors such as:

• the size and quality of the structure.
• garages, additional decks and buildings on the property.
• renovations, extra bathrooms.
• construction or renovation date.
• location of the lot within the city and/or the size and shape of the lot may affect the assessed value of the land. 
  
  See -  "Assessment" Section for more information. 

If you have recently purchased a home, please see "Tax Certificate".

If you have recently built new, added on, renovated, added a deck, shed, or garage,  please see " Supplementary Taxes".