1. When are my property taxes due?City of Detroit taxes may be paid in installments.
Property Tax Calendar1st Summer Payment: August 15
Full Summer Payment: August 31
2nd Summer Payment: January 15 of the following year if full payment was not made by August 31
Winter Tax: January 15 of the following year.
All Taxes Due in Full by January 15 if full payment was not made by August 31 (City of Detroit and Wayne County).
Tax Deferments are Due February 15 (if application has been approved by September 15 of the current fiscal year). Note: for tax deferment application contact your Neighborhood City Hall.
2. I did not receive a tax bill. What should I do?There may be several reasons why you may not have received your tax bill:
A. If you paid off your mortgage, the City may not have been notified and will continue sending your tax statements to the mortgage company. To correct this, please bring your pay off information to our customer service center located in Room 136 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
B. The City may have the wrong mailing address on file. Please visit the Assessor’s Office located in Room 804 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center to change the mailing address. Please note you will need to provide proof of ownership (i.e., warranty deed, quick claim deed, etc.).
If at any time you need a copy of your current tax bill, you can visit our customer service center located in Room 136 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. There is no charge to receive a copy of a tax bill as long as you are the property owner and your name is stated on the bill.
If you need property tax information regarding your property, you may call (313) 224-3560 or (313) 224-4087.
3. What is SET (State Education Tax)?It is a statewide tax that supports all public schools in Michigan. The current SET rate is six mills, and taxes are required to be paid in the summer.
The SET is levied on all property types (residential, industrial, personal, etc.) in the State of Michigan.
4. What is a mill?A mill is $1 per $1,000 of the taxable value of the property.
Example: If the taxable value of a house is $20,000 and your rate is 35 mills, then your tax is $700. If the taxable value is $10,000 and your tax rate is 35 mills, then your tax is $350.
5. What is a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)?The State of Michigan provides an exemption of 18 mills from a portion of the property tax bill for a taxpayer’s primary residence. You must own and occupy your home. To file for a PRE exemption, visit the Assessment Division, Room 804 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center or call (313) 224-3035.
6. If I didn't buy or sell my house/property or make any improvements last year, why did my taxes increase?There are two components in calculating the tax bill amount - the taxable value and the millage rate. The taxable value increases in conjunction with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and changes in the millage rates determined by various referendums approved by the voters. Multiply the taxable value by the millage rate to estimate the tax bill amount.
7. My parents, sibling, cousin, etc. gave me a house. Why did my taxes increase?Even though there was no sale, there was a transfer of ownership. When this occurs, the taxable value generally equals the State Equalized Value (SEV). A transfer of ownership can significantly increase the taxable value, which increases the taxes. Taxable value is generally lower than the SEV or capped value, and the SEV is traditionally 50 percent of the market value.
8. What is Debt Services listed on the tax bill?Debt Service accounts for the payment of interest and principal on long-term debt. The City of Detroit issues long-term contractual obligations (bonds) to provide working capital for long periods.
9. Why was my City tax bill transferred to the Wayne County Treasurer?Michigan Public Act 246 of 2003 requires that all delinquent City of Detroit, Wayne County, School Education Tax and Detroit Public School Real Estate Taxes be transferred to the Wayne County Treasurer for collection on March 1.
10. What if I can not pay my taxes?You can request a hardship application by calling (313) 224-6674 or by visiting the Assessor’s Office located in Room 804 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, or call your local Family Independence Agency for assistance at (313) 456-1000.
11. Will I receive a current tax bill from the Wayne County Treasurer in December 2006?No. Effective December 2004, the City of Detroit Treasurer began collecting all real and personal taxes for properties located in Detroit. The Wayne County Treasurer will only bill and collect delinquent real property taxes beginning with the 2003 tax year.
12. May I pay City and County property taxes at the same location?Yes. Your current City and County property taxes must be paid to the City of Detroit Treasurer, by February 28 other wise they become delinquent. After February 28 your delinquent real property taxes must be paid at the Wayne County Treasurers office. The City of Detroit will continue to accept payment for Detroit and Wayne County personal property taxes. These taxes personal property can be paid to the City Treasurer at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 1st floor, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
13. What if I owe delinquent taxes for 2002 and prior years?If you owe delinquent real and/or personal property taxes for the City of Detroit for tax years 2002 and prior, please contact the Revenue Collections Department at located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, room 1012, Detroit, Michigan 48226 or by calling (313) 224-4179. Please make checks payable to Treasurer, City of Detroit and mail to Treasury Division, City of Detroit, PO Box 33523, Detroit, Michigan 48232-5523.
14. How long does it take to receive a paid receipt after I mail in my payment?Generally, it takes 7-14 days for your paid tax receipt to be returned to you. However, during peak tax season (July-September, December-February), please allow additional time.
15. How long will it take for my payment to post to my account?Generally, your payment will post to your account within two weeks. However, during the peak tax season, please allow additional time.
16. Why was I charged an NSF fee when I placed a stop payment on my check?Generally, when the taxpayer issues a stop payment and the City does not receive the funds, the taxpayer is charged an additional fee to cover the processing involved in the returned check transaction.
17. I have a credit amount on my tax bill. How do I get a refund?You may submit by mail or bring a copy of your paid receipt or the cancelled check and/or money order (front & back) to our Customer Service Center located in Room 136 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Detroit, MI 48226.
18. Why do I have to prove I overpaid my taxes when my tax bill is showing a credit?This process provides the proper documentation for proof of payment to ensure that the Treasury Division refunds the money to the legal owner.
19. How long does it take for my refund to be processed and the money returned to me?Please allow 4-6 weeks for your refund to be processed. The time is needed to audit the account to ensure the refund is accurate and paid to the proper party. However, during the peak tax season, please allow additional time.
20. Where is the payment drop box located? Can I put cash in the drop box?The payment drop box is located in the Treasury's Cashier Office, Room 154 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. DO NOT PUT CASH IN THE DROP BOX. Payments should be in the form of checks or money orders. Please allow approximately 48 hours for payments to be processed.
21. I no longer have a business in Detroit, so why am I still receiving tax bills?To have the tax bills corrected, please visit the Assessments Division - Personal Property Section located in Room 804 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. However, if your business was located in the city of Detroit on December 31 you are liable for current property taxes.
22. I purchased this property from the State of Michigan. Do I have to pay the delinquent taxes on the property?Generally no. However, to remove the taxes from your bill, you will need to bring two copies of the certified deed to the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. For tax years 2002 & prior, take one copy to the Customer Service Center located in Room 136 and the second copy to the Assessments Division, Room 804. After the certified deed has been submitted, all taxes prior to the purchase from the State of Michigan may be cancelled.
23. What are the contact numbers for tax information on property located in the city of Detroit?The following numbers are for property tax information questions: (313) 224-3560 or (313) 224-4087.
24. What are the millage rates for Wayne County and City of Detroit for 2005?| Arranged By Taxing
Authority and Season |
Tax Summer |
TAXING AUTHORITY | 2006 MILLS | 2007 MILLS |
State Education | 6.0000 | 6.0000 |
General City
Operating | 19.9520 | 19.9520 |
Garbage Disposal | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
Debt Service (City) | 8.39510 | 8.06830 |
Library (Detroit
Public) | 4.6307 | 4.6307 |
School Bond Debt | 13.0000 | 13.0000 |
School Operating | 18.0000 | 18.0000 |
Wayne County
Operating – Summer* | 3.76550 | 5.64830 |
| Total Summer | 73.7433 | 75.29930 |
| | | |
Tax Winter |
Wayne County
Operating - Winter* | 2.87250 | 0.98970 |
Wayne
County Jail | 0.93810 | 0.93810 |
Wayne
County Parks | 0.24590 | 0.24590 |
Wayne
County Huron Clinton
Metropolitan Authority | 0.21460 | 0.21460 |
Wayne
County Intermediate
School District (RESA) | 0.09650 | 0.09650 |
Wayne
County Intermediate School
District Special Education (RESA) | 3.36780 | 3.36780 |
Wayne
County Community
College District | 2.47690 | 2.47690 |
Total
Winter | 10.2123 | 8.32950 |
Grand
Total (Summer and Winter) | 83.9556 | 83.62880 |
* In compliance with State of Michigan Public Act 357, the 2005 City of Detroit
Summer property tax bill contains majority of the Wayne County operating millage tax.
The City of Detroit bills the remainder of the County's operating millage tax on the Winter property tax bill.
Arranged By Homestead and Non-Homestead |
| 2006 | 2007 |
Total Non-Homestead Tax | 83.9556 | 83.62880 |
Less: School Operating | 18.0000 | 18.0000 |
Total Homestead Tax | 65.9556 | 65.62880 |
Arranged By Municipality |
| 2006 | 2007 |
City Distributed Millage | 69.9778 | 69.651 |
County Distributed Millage | 13.9778 | 13.9778 |
Total Millage | 83.9556 | 83.62880 |