Township Treasurer FAQs
frequently asked questions
When are tax payment's due?
Tax payments are typically due on September 14th for Summer taxes and February 28th for winter taxes. For 2021Â Summer taxes are due September 14th and winter taxes will be due February 28th, 2022.
Do you accept post marked payments as "on-time"?
In short, yes. According to the Michigan General Tax Act of 1893, sec. 211.44b Determining date payment received -- For purposes of determining the date payment of the tax is received under this act, the date of a United States postal service postmark may be considered the date of receipt. However, a tax payment shall not be considered received prior to 7 calendar days before the date of actual receipt.
How can I make a tax payment?
Check, money order, cashier's check, or bank check can be mailed to:
Marquette Township Treasurer, PO Box 36, Pickford, MI 49774.
A drop box is also available at the Marquette Township Hall. This box is checked daily during tax season.
The township does not currently accept credit or debit cards.
The treasurer will hold office hours at the Marquette Township Hall on September 16th 2019 and March 2nd 2020 to collect taxes in person.
New in 2019 - Payments can be made in-person at the Pickford or Cedarville branches of Central Savings Bank. You must have your bill to make a payment. Please contact the treasurer if you need a copy of your original bill or a tax Reminder Bill/Statement.
Why did my taxes go up?
Taxes can increase because:
The tax rate increased. Periodically, voters have an opportunity to renew or approve increases to tax rates at special elections. If voters approve additional millage, your taxes will increase.
Your taxable value increased. Your taxable value may have increased because (a) it was adjusted by the annual Consumer Price Index, (b) it was uncapped after property ownership transferred, or (c) new construction or omitted items were added.
Please see the "Township Assessor's FAQ" page for more information.
What is the penalty for late payment?
Payments received after September 14th (September 16th for 2019)Â will be penalized 1% of the original amount for each Month they are late. Remember, the postmark date is used to determine the date. Payments after February, 28th (March 2nd 2020 for winter 2019 taxes) are no longer payable at the township and will be sent to the County Treasurer. The county will assess an additional fee. Please call the township or county for exact payment amounts if your payment will be late.
How do I change information on my tax bill?
That depends on the information. Addresses can be updated with the local assessor, treasurer, the county treasurer or county equalization. A name change requires supporting documentation be submitted to the township assessor or county equalization. If you believe there is an error with your millage rate please contact the treasurer; if you believe there is an error with your assessment please contact the township assessor.
Do you mail payment receipts?
Only when requested. Please include a stamp addressed return envelope. Otherwise, your canceled bank check is proof of payment.
What if I did not receive my tax bill?
If you have not received your Summer tax bill by July 15th or your winter tax bill by December 15th please call the treasurer at 906-322-0653 or email at treasurer.marquettetownship@gmail.com. A duplicate bill will be re-mailed or emailed to you. In Michigan, it is the taxpayer's responsibility to ensure they receive their tax bill.
If the tax bill is returned due to a bad address or name, as the property owner you are still liable for the tax.Â
Not receiving a tax bill, does not alleviate the tax burden. If you have not received a tax bill or have received late bills, you should check with our assessor to confirm that they have the correct owner name and address for billing purposes.
I didn’t receive a property tax bill from township. Will the county waive the interest on my delinquent taxes?
No. The county treasurer is required by law (sec. 211.56 of the general property tax act) to add a 4% administration fee on March 1st– the date taxes are turned over delinquent – and 1% interest per month. There is no provision for waiving these or any other fees.
Why have I received a tax bill when my mortgage company pays my tax bill?
Original tax bills are sent to all property owners as they are ultimately responsible for ensuring the taxes are paid. If you have questions about your mortgage company or bank/credit union making the tax payment from your escrow account please contact them.
What are personal property taxes?
It is a tax on business personal property which consists of items used to operate a business, such as desks, other office equipment, tools, and other business operating equipment. For more information on items that could be taxable, or any concerns you have with filing, please contact the township assessor.
Where do I pay my delinquent personal property taxes?
Payment of delinquent personal property taxes must be made at with the township treasurer, NOT the county treasurer.
What happens if I don't pay (or make arrangements to pay) personal property taxes?
The Treasurer will seize your property. It will be sold at public auction to pay the delinquent taxes, attorney fees, and other related collection fees. Any dollars left after expenses are met are returned to the taxpayer.
Public Act 123 Property Foreclosure - FAQs
What is a delinquent real property tax?
A delinquent real property tax is a tax that has been forwarded to the county treasurer for collection on March 1st of the year after it was due. Taxes that are billed by your township treasurer in 2019 will be turned over delinquent to the County Treasurer on March 3rd, 2020.
What happens after the property is forwarded to the county treasurer for collection?
The county treasurer adds a 4% administration fee and interest of 1% per month. After one year, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer. For example, the 2018 taxes that are still unpaid as of March 1, 2020 will be in forfeiture.
What does it mean for my property to be in forfeiture? Does that mean I lose my property?
No. Forfeiture is not foreclosure. If your property is in forfeiture, you still have a year before it will be foreclosed. However, the interest and fees will be higher. When a property is forfeited, the interest rate goes from 1% to 1.5% per month, back to the date of delinquency. A $235 fee is also added.
What happens after my property is in forfeiture?
After property has been in forfeiture for one year, it will be foreclosed. 2018 property taxes will be foreclosed if not paid by 5:00 PM on March 31, 2021.
Will I receive any notice before my property is foreclosed?
Yes. Several notifications will be made, by first class mail, by certified mail and by personal service. In addition to these notifications, names and address of delinquent property owners are published in the newspaper.
What happens after my property is foreclosed? How do I get it Back?
YOU CANNOT GET YOUR PROPERTY BACK AFTER IT HAS BEEN FORECLOSED. FORECLOSURE IS FINAL. Property that has been foreclosed will be sold at public auction or acquired by the County Land Bank Authority.
Treasurer FAQ Continued
Can I defer payment of my summer property tax?
An owner of eligible property may file a completed summer property tax deferment form with his or her city or township treasurer before September 15, or before the date your summer taxes are due, which ever is later. A valid deferment permits summer property taxes to be paid on or before February 14 without any additional penalty and interest.
Taxpayers may defer their summer property tax if they meet the following criteria. Payment may be deferred until February 15 (payment must be received on or before February 14 in order to avoid penalties and interest) for principal residence property owned by a taxpayer who:
• Has a total gross household income of $40,000 or less for the preceding tax year, and
• Is totally and permanently disabled, blind, paraplegic, hemiplegic, quadriplegic, or
• Is an eligible serviceperson, eligible veteran, or eligible widow or widower, or
• Is at least age 62
What type of property is eligible for property tax deferment?
• Residential real property that is the principal residence of the taxpayer seeking deferment of summer taxes
• Agricultural real property, if the gross receipts of the agricultural or horticultural operations in the previous year, or the average gross receipts of the operations from the previous three years, are not less than the total household income of the owner in the previous year or the combined household incomes in the previous year of the individual members of a limited liability company or partners in a partnership that owns the agricultural real property. A limited liability company or partnership may claim the deferment under this section only if the individual members of the limited liability company or partnership qualified for the deferment under this section before the individual members formed the limited liability company or partnership.
Where do I file a summer property tax deferment form?
As the property owner, you must file your deferment form with your local treasurer. You should keep a copy for your records
Who reviews and approves the tax deferment this summer?
Your local treasurer will review the submitted tax deferment forms for completeness. If, as the property owner, you are requesting a summer tax deferment, you will be responsible for determining that you qualify for the deferment. If the deferment form contains any misleading or false statements, as the property owner, you may be subject to penalties and late payments on the taxes deferred
When do I have to pay the deferred summer taxes?
Payment is due by no later than February 14
When are Boards of Review?
There is a Board of Review in December and July. The exact date will be published in the newspaper prior to the actual date.