Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Branch County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Branch County

Property taxes in Branch County are calculated based on the Taxable Value (TV) of your property multiplied by the local millage rate. Each year, local assessors determine the Assessed Value (AV), which is intended to be 50% of the property's True Cash Value. Under Michigan law, your Taxable Value is capped at the lesser of the State Equalized Value (SEV) or the previous year's Taxable Value adjusted for the Consumer Price Index, provided there have been no physical additions or losses to the property.

The total tax bill is determined by the millage rate, which is a combination of levies from the county, local township or city, school districts, and special assessment districts. One mill is equal to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of Taxable Value. Because these rates vary significantly depending on your specific school district and municipal services, your total tax burden will differ even between neighbors in the same county.

Available Exemptions

Michigan offers several property tax relief programs designed to reduce the financial burden on qualified residents. These exemptions must be applied for through your local assessor’s office:

• Principal Residence Exemption (PRE): Homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence may exempt the property from a portion of local school operating taxes.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Honorably discharged veterans with a permanent and total disability, or their unremarried surviving spouses, may be eligible for a 100% property tax exemption.
• Poverty Exemption: Low-income homeowners may apply for a hardship exemption if they meet specific income and asset guidelines established by their local Board of Review.
• Senior/Disabled Deferment: While not a total exemption, eligible seniors and disabled individuals may apply to defer the payment of summer property taxes until the following February without penalty.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property taxes in Branch County are generally billed in two cycles:

• Summer Taxes: Typically mailed July 1st and due by September 14th without penalty.
• Winter Taxes: Typically mailed December 1st and due by February 14th of the following year.

Failure to pay by these deadlines results in late interest and penalties. If taxes remain unpaid after March 1st, they are considered delinquent and are turned over to the Branch County Treasurer for collection, where additional interest and administrative fees will accrue. Continued delinquency can eventually lead to property foreclosure.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property’s Assessed Value or Taxable Value is inaccurate, you have the right to appeal. The first step is to contact your local assessor to discuss the valuation and review your property record card for errors. If a resolution is not reached, you must protest to the local March Board of Review. Following the local board’s decision, further appeals can be directed to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. It is vital to maintain documentation, such as recent appraisals or comparable sales data, to support your claim.