The Government of Alberta tabled its 2026 budget on February 26, 2026. It asks property owners for more through the education property tax, which appears on every Calgary property tax bill alongside the City’s share.
What changes
- The residential and farmland education tax rate is set at $2.84 per $1,000 of equalized assessment; the non-residential rate is $4.17.
- The province expects the total education property tax requisition to reach $3.6 billion in 2026-27, covering 33.4% of education operating costs.
- Calgary’s share of the requisition is about $1.2 billion, according to Global News.
- For a typical residential homeowner in Calgary, Global News reported an increase of about $340 a year on the education portion of the bill.
What it means for owners
Calgary sets its final tax rates only after the provincial budget, and bills are mailed later in the spring. Owners can also pay monthly through the City’s Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP).
Our take: property tax is part of the true monthly cost of owning a home. When we compare homes for buyers, we include the expected tax bill, not just the mortgage.
Added education property tax for a typical homeowner in 2026
The budget behind the tax
Global News reported that the 2026 budget forecasts a deficit of $9.4 billion in 2026-27, followed by $7.6 billion and $6.9 billion in the next two years. The Province pointed to a $3.1 billion drop in non-renewable resource revenue from lower oil prices, global uncertainty and rising demand for services. Personal income taxes are not going up, but the Province expects to collect $360 million more in premiums, fees and licences this year.
How the education tax works
The Province says higher rates, rising property values and new development will lift the requisition. Education property tax supports K-12 education, including teachers’ salaries, textbooks and classroom resources, and is not used for government operations, school capital costs or teachers’ pensions. The money is pooled through the Alberta School Foundation Fund and distributed to public and separate school boards on an equal per-student basis. Most owners will see a change in their education tax because of both higher rates and changing assessments.
What Calgary pays
According to Global News, the education tax requisition from Calgary is $1.2 billion this year, compared with nearly $640 million from Edmonton. The Province’s fact sheet shows Calgary accounting for 35% of the total requisition. The non-residential rate is set at $4.17 per $1,000 of equalized assessment, which also matters for owners of commercial property and, indirectly, for business tenants.
Your share depends on your assessment. In January, the City reported a 2026 median single residential assessment of $706,000, up from $697,000, while the median condo assessment fell to $347,000 from $359,000. Owners whose values fell may see a smaller increase than the typical house.
Other fees that affect owners, buyers and landlords
- Land titles fees more than double, from $2–$30 to $5–$75, which adds a little to the cost of registering a purchase.
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service fees rise from $75–$100 to $150 for landlords and tenants seeking help.
- The municipal portion is separate: Global News said Calgary’s approved 1.6% increase works out to about $54 more this year, while Edmonton approved 6.9%, about $245.
Practical takeaways
- Homeowners: the education portion is the bigger change this year. The final amount appears on your May bill after the City sets its rates.
- Buyers: include the higher tax in your monthly budget, and ask for the current tax amount on any home you consider, since it can differ widely between similar homes.
- Landlords: factor higher property tax and dispute fees into your rental budget, especially with vacancy rising.
