Michigan property values have been relatively stable in recent years. In certain cases, this type of stability will result in predictable and stable property tax assessments. However, there are many instances in which both real and personal property tax liabilities continue to increase – often at alarming and excessive rates.

Annual Assessments and Appeal Deadlines

In the next several weeks, local tax assessors will be mailing annual real and personal property tax assessment notices to property owners/taxpayers. These notices can be confusing, but they are a critical part of the tax assessment process. Taxpayers should review their property tax assessment notices carefully to check for errors (such as property address or square footage details) and to evaluate whether their property might be over assessed. 

If the assessment is too high, the property tax liability will be overstated and a property tax appeal is required to eliminate the over assessment. The annual tax assessment notices disclose both the "assessed value" and "taxable value" of the property for the current and prior tax year. And while "taxable value" is the critical factor, both items should be reviewed to ensure accuracy. In conducting this review, taxpayers should be cognizant of certain deadlines related to potential appeals. Missing a deadline could preclude an otherwise viable appeal.

Upcoming 2018 property tax deadlines related to commercial and industrial property include the following: