Michigan Tax Tribunal

[Mike Johnson]

Hey everyone,

My partners and I are currently considering filing an appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal to review our property taxes.  We met with the local tax board a couple months ago and they were unwilling to budge.  I was curious if anyone had any experience with this process and any tips.  Specific questions we had are as follows:

- The local tax board in Grand Ledge, MI is being very uncooperative in providing us the details of the appraisal, namely the assumptions and calculations used.  Is this normal? We're considering filing a FOIA to obtain the information but that seems excessive.

- Have others had success with the tribunal and if so, was it substantial?  

- Ideas for questions to ask our lawyer prior to filing the appeal.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.  We purchased the properties in September of last year so this is our first "rodeo" with the process.

[Jeff Rabinowitz]

It is very easy to challenge an assessment. The first step is to appeal locally. There is a tight window to file the appeal--you are too late this year. The time period is generally late February to early March, after the notice of assessment for the next year is issued. If the local appeal fails to give you the results you want you may appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. There are several companies that will do this for you for a reasonable fee. Many work on a contingency--they get a portion of the taxes they save you but do not charge (or the charge is minimal) if they fail to lower the assessment. I have found it well worth hiring this out.