Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Ingham County

Property taxes in Ingham County are calculated based on the Taxable Value of your property multiplied by the local millage rate. Each year, your local assessor determines the State Equalized Value (SEV), which is intended to be 50% of the true cash value of your home. However, the Taxable Value is capped by the Michigan Constitution, ensuring it cannot increase by more than 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, unless there has been a physical change to the property or a transfer of ownership.

The total millage rate is a combination of taxes levied by the county, local municipality, school districts, and special assessment districts. One mill is equal to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of Taxable Value. These funds are essential for financing public services, including law enforcement, road maintenance, public libraries, and local education systems.

Available Exemptions

Michigan law provides several exemptions to help alleviate the property tax burden for specific groups of homeowners:

• Principal Residence Exemption (PRE): Often called the "homestead exemption," this excludes your primary residence from a portion of local school operating taxes. You must file an affidavit with your local assessor to qualify.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating, or those who have been granted specially adapted housing, may be eligible for a full exemption from property taxes.
• Poverty Exemption: Homeowners facing financial hardship may apply for a reduction or waiver of property taxes based on federal poverty guidelines, subject to local board approval.
• Senior and Disability Deferments: Certain seniors or individuals with disabilities may be eligible to defer the payment of summer property taxes until the following February without penalty.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

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

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

Payments made after these deadlines are subject to interest and penalties. If taxes remain unpaid after February 28, the collection process shifts to the Ingham County Treasurer’s office, where additional administrative fees and interest will accrue. Continued delinquency can ultimately lead to the foreclosure of the property.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your assessment is inaccurate, you must first protest your property’s value at the local March Board of Review. You will receive an "Assessment Change Notice" in early spring, which outlines the dates and times for these meetings. You should bring documentation, such as recent appraisals or comparable sales data, to support your claim. If you are dissatisfied with the local board's decision, you may appeal further to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.