Frequently Asked Questions

No, once you have signed for Homestead Credit it stays on your property until a change in ownership is recorded or the owner contacts the Assessor’s office and asks that the credit is removed.

Yes, you are always required to sign for Homestead Credit when you move to a different property. It is important to notify our office to remove Homestead from your previous home when ownership is transferred.

Your separation papers (DD214) or “Chronological Statement of Retirement Points” (if separated from the National Guard) must be recorded in our Recorder’s Office. You can not be in active duty status when making application. You must sign for the exemption in the Assessor’s Office.

You will begin paying taxes eighteen (18) months after it is first assessed.

The Assessor estimates current value. The different taxing bodies, i.e. schools, cities and townships, compile their budgets and the funding requirements of the citizens within their taxing district. School boards determine the funding level they need in order to assist in the education of the students within their districts. City taxes pay for police and fire services as well as the public works department. City taxes are also used to help fund our library and maintain our park system. The townships fund fire and sheriff’s protection, maintenance of roads and bridges as well as rural cemeteries. The levying authorities hold a public hearing before the adoption of their budget. Open public hearings allow the property owner time to discuss their objections if they are dissatisfied with the proposed budgets. Although property taxes are paid at the courthouse, only a portion remains there. After the taxes are paid, the Treasurer must apportion to the different taxing bodies their share of each tax dollar paid in order to fund their budgets. You may find the distribution of your current and prior year tax dollars at the bottom of your tax statement.