The Assessed Value is 50% of the estimated fair market value.  The 50% level is prescribed in the Michigan State Constitution.

The Assessed Value as placed by the local assessing jurisdiction is reviewed by the County Equalization Department and submitted for review to the Board of Commissioners Committee of Equalization.  The County may adopt it as submitted by the Assessor, add to, or subtract from it.  Upon their action and adoption, it becomes the County Equalized Value.

The County Equalization Value is reviewed by the appointed members of the State Tax Commission.  They may accept it as submitted, add to, or subtract from it.  Upon their action and adoption, it becomes the State Equalized Value.

This is the value used multiplied by the mill rate, which produces the amount of the tax bill.  The Taxable Value was a creation upon the passage of Proposal A by the State Electorate in 1994.  The Taxable Value is the lower of the State Equalized Value or Capped Value.

A Capped Value must be calculated for each parcel annually.  Again, created with the passage of Proposal A, which states the Taxable Value can increase in one year, no more that 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.  The previous year’s Taxable Value after accounting for losses but prior to additions, is multiplied by 5% or the inflation rate, whichever is less.

Previous TV – Losses  X  1.05%  or inflation rate, whichever is less + additions = Current Year Capped Value.

The Capped Value process does not apply when a transfer of ownership occurs.  The Taxable Value the year after sale will equal the State Equalized Value.  Beginning with the second year, it is again subject to the Capped Value formula until such time it transfers again.  This process is a mandate of Proposal A.

The First thing you should do is talk to your local Assessing Department.  Check the appraisal record card for your property to make sure it contains correct information.  At this point, if the Assessing Department should agree with you and submit a change, you need go no further.

If you continue to feel the Assessed or Taxable Value exceeds the lawful limit, you may proceed to the local March Board of Review for an appeal.  The Board of Review will notify you of their decision by U.S. Mail, sometime around the end of April.

If you continue to feel dissatisfied, you may file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

The Board of Review has the responsibility of hearing property valuation appeals.  March Board of Review appeals are for the current year.  The Board may consist of three, six, or nine members.  If six or nine are appointed by the Township Board of Trustees, the sit in panels of three.  All members must be electors of the Township, with at least two thirds of the members being taxpayers of the Township.  It has been recommended by the Michigan State Tax Commission, that all members be landowners in and taxpayers of the community.

Appointments are for a two-year period, with terms commencing on January 1, of the odd-numbered year.

The first meeting of the Board of Review shall be on the Tuesday following the first Monday in March.  This meeting is to receive the assessment rolls as prepared by the Assessor for the current year, and they shall proceed with its examination.

The second meeting of the Board of Review (taxpayer appeals) shall be on the second Monday of March.  This meeting will commence at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m.  The meeting will continue the next day at 3:00 p.m. and continue until 9:00 p.m.  In Townships with a population of 10,000 or more, one session must commence at 3:00 p.m. and continue for not less than six hours.  If appealing by mail:

            Clinton Township Board of Review

            Department of Assessing

            40700 Romeo Plank Road

            Clinton Township, MI  48038

You may authorize someone to represent you by giving them a letter indicating that you have appointed them to represent you at an appointment before the Board.

OR

You may lodge an appeal by letter to the Board of Review, asking them to review you Assessment and/or Taxable Value.  The letter to the Board of Review must be postmarked no later than the Tuesday following the second Monday of March.

You may telephone the Assessing Department to make an appointment with the Board.  You may call the Assessing Department up until 9:00 p.m. on the Tuesday following the second Monday of March to set an appointment.

You may file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal, indicating that you have not received satisfaction by the Board of Review.  In order for the MTT to accept the appeal in a valuation dispute, the Board of Review appeal is a prerequisite for Residential Property.  This appeal must be filed with the Tribunal on or before July 31st for Residential property and May 31st for Commercial and Industrial property.