How Do I ...

CPI is the Consumer’s Price Index (Inflation rate) as calculated by the State of Michigan each fall. The legislature has defined Taxable Value to be the lesser of SEV or Capped Value. Assessors are required to annually calculate a Capped Value for each individual parcel of real property. The Capped Value is then compared to the SEV of that property, and the lower of the two will be its Taxable Value upon which taxes are levied. The year following an eligible transfer of ownership, the SEV of the transferred property set in that year is its Taxable Value.

I just purchased my home. Shouldn’t the assessed value be half of what I paid?
No. By state law, a home’s Assessed Value is not half its purchased price, but half of its market value. Section 211.27(5) of Michigan Compiled Law states “Beginning December 31, 1994, 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.” Also, please see the State Tax Commission’s Bulletin No. 19, 1997 on “Illegal Practices of A: “Following Sales” and B: “Assessing over 50%” for more information: click here

I recently purchased a home. Will my taxes on this property be about the same amount as the prior owner’s taxes?
No. Until 1994, property was valued for tax purposes at half its market value. This is called “State Equalized Value” or SEV. In 1994 voters passed Proposal A, which limited the growth of property tax assessments. The formula under Proposal A keeps the Taxable Value of a property from growing as fast as the SEV. This gap can increase over time. However, in the year following an eligible transfer of ownership, the Taxable Value is uncapped and is made equal to the SEV, but only for that year following the transfer of ownership. When a parcel is uncapped there could be a substantial increase in the tax depending on the difference between the Taxable Value and the State Equalized Value of the property. See above for Taxable Value Calculation explanation.

My neighbor and I have very similar homes. Why is my tax bill higher than theirs?
As mentioned above, there are two distinctly different numbers associated with each property. The SEV represents half the property’s market value and Taxable Value which is a multiplier in your tax bill. If you have a home that is truly similar to your neighbor’s home your SEV should be about equal to theirs; however, the Taxable Values would probably not be the same. Since the passage of Proposal A in 1994 the Taxable Value is used to calculate tax bills. Each Taxable Value will depend on the Capped Value formula and whether or not there has been a transfer of ownership or a CPI increase. The Taxable Value calculation is also subject to any additions and/or losses to the property. SEV and Taxable Value are not the same and should not be compared when calculating a tax bill.

The calculation for your tax bill is as follows:
Taxable Value * Voter Approved Millage Rate = Property Tax Bill.


Why did my taxes go up so much this year?
There are several factors that affect your tax rate:
1. The Taxable Value of a property is adjusted each year based on the Consumer’s Price Index (CPI). An increase in taxable value will result in an increase in your taxes.
2. A Millage increase will cause your taxes to increase. Your tax bill includes voter authorized Millage for City, County, State Education, miscellaneous school taxes, and other voter approved Millages. Your tax bill is based on your home’s taxable value multiplied by the Millage rate.
3. You purchased a home. Proposal A, which was passed in 1994, places an annual cap on the growth of property tax assessments; however, when the home is sold, the cap comes off and the assessment reverts to the State Equalized Value (SEV) of the year following an eligible transfer of ownership.
4. You may not be taking advantage of the Principal Residence/Homestead Exemption.
5. You may have added something new to the property which in turn can increase both the assessed and taxable value of the property, i.e. central air conditioning, new deck or porch, new bathroom, new basement finish, new square footage, new shed, new garage, etc.

What can I do if I disagree with the Assessed Value or Taxable Value placed on my property?
Check the records of the Assessing Office or on the Assessor’s website concerning your appraisal to make sure they are correct. If you disagree with the assessment, you should talk with the Assessor about the valuation of your property. If you are still not satisfied with the valuation and wish to proceed with filing an appeal, you will need to schedule an appointment to appear before the March Board of Review. Please call the Assessor’s Office at 269.781.5183 to schedule an appointment. The March Board of Review has jurisdiction on valuation appeals for the current year only. You may not (by state law) dispute prior year valuation at the March Board of Review. Once the March Board of Review closes its public meeting, the assessment roll is closed and certified. No further changes can be made except those allowed by state law…i.e. clerical error, mutual mistake of fact, qualified error, or Principal Residence Exemption/Homestead corrections, Michigan Tax Tribunal or State Tax Commission judgments.

What if I am not satisfied with the Board of Review’s decision on my appeal?
You have the right to file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. This appeal must be filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal on or before June 30th of the current year. Failure to appear before the March Board of Review before hand may eliminate your right to appeal your value at the Tribunal. 

Principal Residence/Homestead Exemption

Homeowners Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit (form & instructions)
Request to rescind Homeowners Principal Residence Exemption (form & instructions>
Homestead Guidelines

Who qualifies for the Principal Residence/Homestead exemption?
If you own and occupy your principal residence, it may be exempt from a portion of your local school operating taxes. To claim an exemption, you must complete the Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit and file it with the Assessor’s office by June 1st of the year of the claim. The Assessor’s Office will adjust your taxes on your next property tax bill. Note that this is an exemption from part of the taxes and does not affect your assessment. You must own and occupy your principal residence to receive this exemption.

Owning means you hold the legal title to the principal residence or that you are currently buying it on a notarized or recorded land contract. Renters should NOT file this form.

Occupying means this is your principal residence, the place you intend to return to whenever you go away. It is the address that appears on your driver’s license or voter registration card.

You may have only one principal residence at a time. Vacation Homes and Income property which you do not occupy as your principal residence may not be claimed. If you are living only in a part of the home you may file a partial homestead exemption. Please call the Assessor’s Office at 269.781.5183. We will help you calculate the proper percentage. You may also file an exemption(s) if you own vacant and contiguous land next to your homestead property.

I have not been claiming a homestead exemption on my home. What should I do?
Contact our Assessing Department at 269.781.5183 to obtain the form necessary to correct your homestead status. Recent tax law changes allow the City to correct the homestead status for the current year, and with Board of Review approval, three prior years. After Board of Review approval, if you are due a refund from prior year’s tax payments, your refund will be issued by the Calhoun County Treasurers Office.

Rescinding your Exemption: If you claim an exemption, then stop using the property as a principal residence, you must notify the City Assessor within 90 days of the change or you may be penalized. This can be done using the Form 2602, Request to Rescind Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption.

Property Transfer Affidavits

Property Transfer Affidavit

 
What is a Property Transfer Affidavit?
A Property Transfer Affidavit MUST be filed whenever real estate or some types of personal property are transferred (even if you are not recording a deed). It is used by the Assessor to ensure the property is assessed properly and receives the correct Taxable Value. It must be filed by the new owner with the Assessor for the City or Township where the property is located within 45 days of the transfer. If it is not filed timely, a penalty of $5/day (maximum $200) applies. The information on this form is NOT confidential. Transfer of ownership means the conveyance of title or the beneficial use of the property. There are both partial and whole transfers of ownership. The Assessor’s office will determine the correct percentage and uncap the Taxable Value accordingly. Please see Taxable Value Calculation listed above for more information.