Property Assessments and how to Challenge/ MARCH

Hi All,
  
All of the links and much of the written words in this blog come directly from the website of Bloomfield Township, MI.  Please click on each heading in this blog to get to the township website which will give you much more information.

I did not use quotation marks.  My intent is to share the information provided about assessing generally and to notify the taxpayers that it is in early MARCH where you can challenge your property assessment formally at the Board of Review. 

FYI:  Just talking to the assessor is great and valuable, but he/she can NOT change the assessment, only explain the assessment.  If you disagree with the figures, then you need to make an appointment to be heard before the Board of Review.

First:  Pay your winter taxes.  In Bloomfield Township,  the last day to pay your winter property tax assessment without penalty is February 15, 2016. 

NOTE:   Bloomfield Township offices are closed on Fridays.  However, the Treasurer's office will be open today (2/12/16) and again on the last Friday in February (2/26/16). 
Beginning March 1, 2016  all tax payments are paid to Oakland County.

Assessment Notification

By late February, every property owner will receive an Assessment Notification:  that is an annual statement of the assessed value, taxable valuation and property classification for 2016-2017. 

How Your Property is Assessed

The Assessor takes various factors into account when establishing property value, including

• Description of the property and its improvements
• Lot dimensions
• Age of home and/or other buildings
• Land value
• Building square footage
• Value-enhancing amenities
• Vacant and improved sale properties

Click here for detailed information on how property is assessed.   This is a pdf/ wait to load.

The market value of your property is simply the probable price that it would sell for in a normal transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

Proposal A 

Proposal A was approved by the voters of the State of Michigan on March 15, 1994.   What does it mean and how does it affect your property valuation? 

There is one FORM associated with this category: 
Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4260)

Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption  

 Read more on how you claim an exemption from some school operating taxes.

There are four FORMS  associated with this category:
Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit
Request to Rescind/Withdraw Homeowner's Principal Residence Exemption

Conditional Rescission Principal Residence Exemption

Principal Residence Exemption Military Affidavit

 

Assessing Forms 
This section tells you about the forms. 

2016 Personal Property Statement L-4175 
2016 Affidavit to Claim Small Business Tax Exemption Under MCL 211.9(o)
Form 5076 Explanation Letter
2015 Personal Property Statement

2015 Petition to Board of Review (Form L-4035)

Disabled Veterans Exemption (Form 5107)



Assessing FAQ

This link poses questions that are frequently asked and the answers.   Don't skip this section !

Here  are questions 3-6 about challenging your property assessment at the Board of Review.   Notice that the hearings begin in March.  You must make an appointment.

3. When can I appeal my property assessment?
The Board of Review begins hearing individual assessment appeals on the second Monday in March. The assessment change notice details the dates and times of the meetings. To personally appear before the Board, you must schedule an appointment. Residential Assessed and Taxable Value disputes must protest to the Board of Review (in person or by letter) in order to appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
4. May I file a written protest without personal appearance?
Letters of appeal must be received by 5:00 PM on the last day of the March Board of Review. A written appeal should provide sufficient detail supporting your position or value contention.
5. Does the Board of Review have the authority to increase an assessment or tentative taxable value?
The General Property Tax Laws states that "The Board of Review shall correct the assessed value or tentative taxable value of the property, in a manner as in their judgment will make the valuation of the property relatively just and proper." In a number of instances, the Board of Review has raised the valuations.
6. What is my recourse if I disagree with the decision of the Board of Review?
For residential appeals the next level of appeal is the Michigan Tax Tribunal. These appeals must be filed no later than July 31st. The address of the Michigan Tax Tribunal is P.O. Box 30232, Lansing, MI 48909.
An assessment dispute as to the valuation and exemption of commercial/industrial real property, or commercial/industrial/utility personal property, may be protested before the Board of Review or appealed directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal without protest before the Board of Review by filing a written petition on or before May 31st of the tax year involved.
 

Assessing Overview

This link gives name of Assessor and address /phone #  etc. for Bloomfield Township, MI.


FYI:   When conducting inspections, employees from the Assessor’s Office knock on your door or ring your doorbell to introduce themselves. Each individual has picture identification issued by Bloomfield Township. If you are not at home they will walk around the outside of your house to complete their inspection.

Subdivision Platmap Information
Find your subdivision in Michigan.