Detroit and Wayne County Michigan Property Taxes

Not paying your taxes on time (either directly or through your mortgage arrangement) can cause you to lose your home. 

Learn about your options - tax forfeiture and foreclosure work differently than a typical mortgage foreclosure. It is your responsibility to ensure that your property taxes are paid - even if you made this payment to your lender.

Click below to view more about each topic.

Attention: City of Detroit Taxpayers
What Does It Mean To Be In Forfeiture?
Property Tax Timeline for Detroit & Wayne County
City of Detroit Property Tax Payment Calendar
City of Detroit Contact Information
Wayne County Contact Information
Need Help Paying Your Property Taxes?

For Free or Low-Cost Counseling and Legal Assistance

ATTENTION: CITY OF DETROIT TAXPAYERS

Effective March 1, 2004, the Michigan Public Act 246 of 2003 requires that all current Wayne County taxes be billed by the City in December. It also requires that all delinquent City of Detroit real property taxes be transferred to the Wayne County Treasurer on March 1 for collection. To avoid this action, please pay your property taxes on time.

This means that once your city taxes become delinquent - your delinquent notices will be issued from the office of the Wayne County Treasurer and will include both your city and county tax bills.

Property taxes become delinquent as of March 1st for taxes that remain outstanding from the prior year. For example, property taxes that were due in 2008 and payable to the local City or Township became delinquent on March 1, 2009. Generally, once property taxes are in a delinquent status payment can only be made to the County Treasurer.

What Does It Mean to Be In Forfeiture?

 

In a tax situation, your home is forfeited to the county before it is foreclosed upon by a legal judgment. You can still redeem your home during the forfeiture time period.

In 1999, a Michigan law, Public Act 123 (MCL 211.78) significantly shortened the time property owners have to pay their delinquent taxes before losing their property. Property owners with taxes that are two years delinquent may be foreclosed and the property can be sold at a public auction.
Not paying taxes will result in higher interest charges and fees. Taxes that are delinquent for more than one year will have a substantially higher interest rate (1.5% per month, as opposed to the current 1%), and will have a state mandated $175 forfeiture fee.

PROPERTY TAX TIMELINE FOR DETROIT AND WAYNE COUNTY

In 1999, a Michigan law, Public Act 123 (MCL 211.78), significantly shortened the time property owners have to pay their delinquent taxes before losing their property. See the timeline below

Click here for more info on taxes at the Wayne County website

 

For more details, see PDF from the Wayne County treasurer

City of Detroit Property Tax Payment Calendar

 

*First Partial Summer Payment due August 15

(Detroit and Wayne County Operating)

*Second Partial Summer Payment due January 15 

(Detroit and Wayne County Operating)

*Full Summer Payment due August 31 

(Detroit and Wayne County Operating)

Winter Payment due January 15 

(Balance of Wayne County Taxes)

Note: If full summer payment is not made by August 31, any remaining summer balance, (principal tax interest and penalty) plus the winter balance are both due on January 15.

* Summer property tax deferments should be applied for and approved by September 15 at your Neighborhood City Hall. Taxes are deferred until February 15.

CITY OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN

For Hardship Applications, Eligibility Guidelines and Detroit Treasury Division Frequently Asked Questions, click here. 

Treasury Division
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue - Suite 120
Detroit, MI 48226
Ph:  (313) 224-3560
Fax: (313) 224-3541  
TTY: (311) or (313) 224-INFO (4636)

Hours of Operation
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

For Hardship Applications, Eligibility Guidelines and Wayne County Treasury Division Frequently Asked Questions click here.

Wayne County Treasurer’s Office
Taxpayer Assistance Department
(313) 224-6105

NEED HELP PAYING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES?  

Contact the city or county where you reside for more information about your options.

The following organizations may be able to assist you with tax payment assistance or other resources that may allow you to have more funds available to apply to your tax bill.

Please also visit our Resource Center for other community resources that may help you balance your budget.

Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS)
(313) 842-7010
Help is available to those who qualify and is not limited to those of Arabic ethnicity.

City of Detroit Human Services Department, Central Operations Division
(313) 852-5634
Detroit Homeowners only.

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Wayne County Office
(313) 899-1162
If you are a veteran with at least 6 months of wartime duty, you may qualify for financial assistance.

Wayne County Department of Human Services
(313) 456-1000 (DHS)
Call to find the phone number and address of your local DHS office.
You can also go to your local office and apply for State Emergency Relief (SER). Offices are located throughout Wayne County.

Wayne County Veteran Affairs (Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund)
(313) 224-1862
If you are a veteran with any wartime service and an honorable discharge, you may qualify.

For Wayne County communities outside of Detroit, you may contact your local city hall for information concerning local funds available to assist you.

Many banks and mortgage companies offer a variety of mortgages and loans. It is ALWAYS advisable to obtain counseling when seeking a mortgage to pay your taxes to prevent foreclosure. There are reputable non-profit organizations in some communities that provide homebuyer and mortgage counseling.

If you live in Detroit, call the City of Detroit Planning Commission at (313) 224-7887 to find such a group.

For Free or Low-Cost Counseling and Legal Assistance

All financial help is contingent upon qualifications and available funding.

If you believe you were wrongfully denied State Emergency Relief, you may obtain free legal help from one of the agencies below:

Legal Aid and Defender Association
Michigan Legal Services
(313) 964-4130 (Wayne County)
Provides property tax and legal assistance for qualified low-income individuals

Michigan State Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service
(800) 968-0738

United Community Housing Coalition
(313) 963-3310 (Detroit only)

United Way 211
Dial 2-1-1 for legal assistance information and referrals

Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors (60+)
1-800-347-5297