Rate Breakdown

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

How Property Tax Works in Saginaw County

In Saginaw County, your property tax bill is determined by two primary factors: the Taxable Value (TV) of your property and the local millage rates. Each year, local assessors determine the State Equalized Value (SEV), which is intended to be 50% of the property's market value. However, under Michigan’s Proposal A, your Taxable Value cannot increase by more than the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower, unless there has been a transfer of ownership.

The total tax bill is calculated by multiplying your Taxable Value by the total millage rate levied by your local jurisdiction. One mill is equivalent to $1 of tax for every $1,000 of Taxable Value. These rates include levies for schools, county operations, townships, and special assessments authorized by voters.

Available Exemptions

Michigan law provides several exemptions to help eligible homeowners reduce their property tax burden. It is essential to file the necessary documentation with your local assessor’s office to qualify:

• Principal Residence Exemption (PRE): Often called the "homestead exemption," this excludes your primary residence from local school operating taxes.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Provides a 100% property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans who have been determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled.
• Poverty Exemption: Available to homeowners who meet specific income and asset guidelines established by their local Board of Review.
• Senior/Disabled Deferments: Certain seniors or disabled citizens may qualify to defer their summer tax payments until the following February without penalty.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property taxes in Saginaw County are typically billed in two cycles: Summer and Winter.

• Summer Taxes: Generally billed on July 1st and are payable without penalty through September 14th.
• Winter Taxes: Generally billed on December 1st and are payable without penalty through February 14th of the following year.

If payments are not received by the deadline, interest and penalties accrue monthly. After the final deadline in February, delinquent taxes are turned over to the Saginaw County Treasurer’s office for collection, where additional administrative fees and interest charges will apply. Failure to pay delinquent taxes over an extended period can eventually lead to property forfeiture and foreclosure.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe your property’s assessed value is inaccurate or exceeds 50% of its market value, you have the right to appeal. The process begins at the local level:

1. March Board of Review: You must first protest your assessment to your local township or city Board of Review in March. You should bring documentation, such as recent appraisals or comparable sales, to support your claim.
2. Michigan Tax Tribunal: If you are dissatisfied with the Board of Review's decision, you may appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Note that for residential property, you must have attended the March Board of Review to be eligible for this further appeal.