Pre-Authorized Payment Plan
Pay your taxes in installments
The Pre-Authorized Tax (PAT) payment plan is an optional plan allowing you to pay your taxes in 12 monthly installments instead of a single yearly payment. It follows the regular tax year, which runs from January to December. Your first five monthly payments (January to May) will be estimated based on your previous year's taxes.
When you receive your annual tax notice in May, any adjustments required as a result of the annual levy will be spread over the last seven payments of the year. Your tax notice will reflect the revised monthly amount. Arrangements can be made to allow you to join the plan during the current tax year.
- To be eligible for the PAT program, any prior year’s taxes including all charges and penalties and/or any outstanding utility arrears transferred to your tax account must be paid to current status.
- Payments may only be made by automatic withdrawal from your chequing account. You must have chequing privileges at a bank, trust company, treasury branch, or credit union (credit cards not accepted).
- The City of St. Albert requires your written permission before the withdrawals begin. There is no charge for this service; however, your normal bank service charges may apply.
Arrangements can be made to allow you to join the plan during the current tax year. When enrolling after January, payments for the monthly installments from January to the month your regular withdrawals begin must be paid prior to the start date. For example, if your prior year annual tax levy was $4,800 and you start on the plan in April, you must pay January – March installments ($400 X 3 = $1,200) before your first regular withdrawal in April.
NOTE: Enrollment in the plan continues from year to year until cancelled. There's no need to reapply unless you move.
The City of St. Albert requires two weeks' notice to make any changes to your account.
Changes include:
- The use of a different chequing account:
- You must provide a new "VOID" cheque to Taxation at least two weeks before the next payment date.
- Buying, selling or building a new property.
- Withdrawing from the plan:
- You may withdraw from the plan at any time by giving written notice to the City. If payments are missed, the City of St. Albert reserves the option to cancel the agreement.
If you withdraw from the plan or your plan is cancelled, all unpaid taxes become due and payable, and are subject to penalties in accordance with the penalty bylaw.
- You may withdraw from the plan at any time by giving written notice to the City. If payments are missed, the City of St. Albert reserves the option to cancel the agreement.
| Step 1 | Step 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Year's Taxes | $3,000 | New Tax Bill Arrives | $3,200 |
| Subtract Amount Paid | -$1,250 | ||
| New Balance (June-Dec) | $1,950 | ||
| January | $250 | ||
| February | $250 | June | $279 |
| March | $250 | July | $279 |
| April | $250 | August | $279 |
| May | $250 | September | $279 |
| Payments (Jan - May) | $1,250 | October | $279 |
| November | $279 | ||
| December | $279 | ||
| Payments (June-Dec) | $1,950 | ||
| Total Paid for the Year | $3,200 | ||
View additional frequently asked questions
PAT Program Application
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Please note the following: 1) This personal information is being collected under the authority of Section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act, SA 2024, c P-28.5 and will be used to process your inquiry. It will be treated in accordance with the privacy protection provisions of Part 1 of the Protection of Privacy Act. If you have questions regarding the collection and use of your personal information, please contact the City’s Access and Privacy Coordinator. 2) The City does not respond to anonymous enquiries/submissions, malicious submissions, or submissions containing inappropriate or profane language; those received will be discarded by staff.
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Last edited: March 26, 2026