Talk to your local Assessor about the valuation of your property. Check the appraisal records to see if all elements of the property are correct and that the assessment is in line with similar properties in the township. Be prepared to justify why your property would not sell for twice the assessed value. If you want to proceed, you may lodge an appeal with your township/city Board of Review (BOR).

The BOR meets 3 times a year. Property assessments can only be appealed in March. The July and December BOR meetings are to correct clerical errors and mutual mistakes of fact. The Assessment Change Notice received in March will give the dates and times of the hearings, or call your local assessor.

The assessment change notice that you receive in March will give you information regarding the BOR hearings, or call your local Assessor.

You can send another person to represent you or file a written appeal. Be sure to include the reason for your appeal, supporting documents, your Tax Parcel/I.D. number, and telephone number.

A written appeal must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the March BOR. It should provide sufficient detail supporting your position.

The next level of appeal is the Michigan Tax Tribunal. This appeal must be filed no later than June 30 during the year in which you initiated the BOR appeal by writing to:

Michigan Tax Tribunal
P.O. Box 30232
Lansing MI 48909

None. Only those assessments reviewed by the Board of Review can be appealed to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Go to the Equalization Department.

No. Forfeiture is the first step to Foreclosure. The interest rate goes from 1% per month to 1.5% per month retroactive to March 1 of the prior year. A $175.00 processing fee and recording fees are also added. Additional fees will be added as they incur throughout the year.

You have one year in which to redeem your property taxes. If still unpaid on the following March 31, it will be Foreclosed.

Yes. In all, five (5) notifications will be made. Two will be by first class mail, two by certified mail and one notification will be a personal visit to the property. In addition to these notices, it will be published in an Allegan County newspaper. This published notice may include names and/or addresses.

Even if you can’t pay your taxes all at once, make partial payments. Read our pamphlet on foreclosure prevention. Don’t ignore our notices. Contact us at 269-673-0260.

You lose all rights to your property. Ownership will be transferred to Allegan County. It will then be sold at public auction.

You cannot get your property back after is has been ‘foreclosed’. Foreclosure is final!

Your initial tax bill is sent by your local township/city/village treasurer. Any questions or concerns regarding your current taxes must be directed to your local treasurer’s office.

Contact your local township/city/village assessor’s office.

In Michigan most cities and townships bill twice a year – July and December.

• Summer taxes - usually due September 14. Cities and charter townships can vary - contact your local treasurer for due dates and late fees.


• Winter taxes - due by February 14. All property taxes become delinquent on March 1.

• From July 1 to February 28 – all current year taxes (summer/winter/most villages) - pay your township, city, or village treasurer.


• March 1 – taxes are now delinquent (both Summer & Winter) - pay the Allegan County Treasurer.


• Prior Year/Delinquent Taxes – pay the Allegan County Treasurer

No. Neither, the local treasurer, County Treasurer, nor State treasurer has authority to waive interest or penalties. Michigan law holds the taxpayer responsible to know that taxes are paid on time.

Name and/or Address changes are your responsibility as the owner and taxpayer. Contact your local township/city/village assessor’s office.

Notify your township, city, or village office as soon as possible.

Although the mortgage company is responsible for paying your taxes, they sometimes get missed. Watch your mortgage statements or call your local treasurer to check that your taxes are being paid promptly. Michigan law holds the property owner responsible.

Yes. Tax payments are quite often missed during the transitional time following a refinance. Be sure that your mortgage company is paying the taxes, as they should. Again, the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for seeing that the taxes are paid.

No. The treasurer is not responsible for payment on the wrong parcel. Always submit a copy of the bill or the Property I.D. Number along with your payment.

A delinquent tax is an unpaid tax that has been forwarded to the County Treasurer for collection on March 1 of the year after it was due.

Taxes are now ‘Delinquent’, a 4% administrative fee and interest of 1% per month are added. On March 1 of the 2nd year, it goes into ‘Forfeiture’ and interest increases, fees/penalties continue to accumulate.

Only two (2) years and one (1) month. On March 31 of the 3rd year, the County forecloses and you lose all rights to the property.

Yes. It’s the law. See Michigan P.A. 123 of 1999. Foreclosure is final!