Frequently Asked Questions

Taxable values began in 1995 as part of Proposal A. Taxable values are adjusted each year by the Consumers Price Index (CPI) or 5%, whichever is less until a property ownership transfers. Your taxable value cannot be greater than your state equalized value. In other words, Proposal A "capped" taxable value increases by the CPI or 5%, whichever is less plus the value of losses and additions caused by physical changes in that property that are not present on the record card.

Estimate your annual taxes by multiplying ½ of the estimated total value of the completed home times the tax rate. Be sure to add land value to your value estimate before computing your estimated taxes.

Copies of recorded deeds and land contracts can be obtained from Kent County Register of Deeds Office at www.accesskent.com. 

If you need to find your property lines, you should contact a local surveyor to perform this service. Several are listed in the yellow pages of the phone books. We can provide your lot size and a copy of your plot map to get you started, but we cannot survey or locate stakes on your property.

No. The sale price of a property is not the same as the true cash value of the property. This is due to a variety of reasons, which include: an uninformed buyer, an uninformed seller, insufficient marketing time, or buyer and seller are relatives. MCL 211.27(6) states: “the purchase price paid in a transfer of property is not the presumptive true cash value of the property transferred. In determining the true cash value of transferred property, an assessing officer shall assess that property using the same valuation method used to value all other property of that same classification in the assessing jurisdiction.” Setting the true cash value at the sales price is referred to as “following sales”. “Following sales” is the practice of ignoring the assessment of properties which have not recently been sold while making significant changes to the assessments of properties which have been sold. This results in assessments that are not uniform.

Michigan law requires everyone to support local public schools through property taxes. Eligible homeowners may be exempt for 18 mills of school operating taxes, but are still responsible for school debt, building funds and state education taxes.

Typically this happens about one year after you buy a new house or after a millage election. Your mortgage company probably based your original tax escrow payment on the last known taxes. After you purchased the property it’s taxable value was uncapped for the next tax year. The taxes were then based on a higher value. Even if you have not purchased a new house a special election authorizing additional millage will result in a higher tax bill. Once this happens, your mortgage company reevaluated your escrow amounts and changed your payment to cover the actual taxes on your home. They may also increase your payment to make up any shortfalls in the previous year.

This addition will be added at 50% of true cash value to the assessment and the taxable value. The taxable value for the original property will continue to be calculated in the capped value formula. The new value will add to your taxes. The formula for taxable value is (previous year taxable value-losses) x (CPI or 5%)+ Additions. 

Assessors use a state required mass appraisal method to value properties. We estimate land values from sales data and building values from a state cost manual. Then, we analyze sales data from your neighborhood and develop factors we use to further adjust our estimates to reflect local market value.

Yes, if:

1. A sale and/or title transfer occurs. In the year following a sale and/or title transfer, the property becomes "uncapped" making the state equalized value (SEV) and taxable value the same. Michigan law states the actual sale price must not be the sole basis for the new SEV for that property.
2. New construction to a property is added to the taxable value.
3. The value of items omitted from the previous year(s) assessed value is added to the taxable value.

Assessed value changes vary according to the individual characteristics of houses in relation to sales in your area. Building style, size and amenities such as porches, decks, garages, and extra bathrooms affect value estimates. 

The current sales information for your neighborhood may show no value increase over last year’s value. However, the taxable value is tied to the Consumer Price Index and calculated annually causing an increase in your taxable value. Until your taxable meets your assessed value, your taxable value will continue to increase the CPI or 5%. 

Michigan law prohibits assessors from basing values on one sale price. We are required to value your property based on the methods used to value other properties in your area. While we hope our value estimate is close to your sale price, it is an estimate and may not be the same as your recent sale.

The summer taxes are billed July 1st each year and are due by August 14th without penalties. The winter taxes are billed December 1st each year are due by February 14th without penalties. On March 1st, the delinquent tax rolls are given to the County Treasurer and additional penalties are added.

Although the taxing agencies on your bills may have different fiscal years, your bills are for the calendar year in which they are billed. Add your July and December tax bills together for your total annual taxes.

Taxes are computed by multiplying your taxable value times the total mills. A mill is $1.00 per thousand dollars of taxable value. An easy formula to calculate taxes is shown below:

Taxable Value X Mills / 1,000 = Taxes
Homestead 200,000 X 48.6664/ 1,000 = $9,733
Non-homestead 200,000 X 66.6664/ 1,000 = $13,333
(Remember, a homestead is exempt from 18 mills of school operating taxes!)

Property taxes are determined individually according to taxable value. If you recently purchased your property, your taxable value was uncapped. Your neighbor’s taxable value may still be capped and less than yours. The assessed values on a property in 1994 became the base value for taxable value calculations starting in 1995. Because properties have been bought and sold at different times taxable values may vary significantly. A lower taxable value means lower taxes.