Detroit Real Estate

Michigan Property tax explanation

Michigan property taxesare confusing. Some counties do it differently but here in Metro Detroit area most of the counties pay their property taxes ahead.  Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, Washtenaw County, and Livingston County all pay their taxes in advance.  So when you pay your winter tax on Dec 1 2009 you are paying for the period from Dec 1 2009 to November 30 2010.  It is the same way for summer taxes.  When you pay your summer taxes on July 1 2009 you pay for the period from July 1 2009 until June 30 2010. 

Many Michigan relocation buyers when they move from a different state think that the winter tax pays only for a six month period and then the summer tax pays for the next six months.  That is false.  We pay a full year period.

What confuses some people is that many counties allow you a grace period also.  So your taxes may not be due up to 2 months later.  They allow you a grace period to pay late without any penalty.  And who says the cities and counties are not nice.

If you are moving to Michigan and the Metro Detroit area feel free to call me with questions.

Russ Ravary your local metro Detroit realtor