Treasurer Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Taxable values are assessed based on current value, use and ownership of the property as of "Tax Day", December 31st, and the taxes are billed over the course of the following year. Assessment notices are mailed to every property owner in February with instructions on how to appeal an assessment to either the City Board of Review or (for commercial and industrial property) directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Summer taxes are billed July 1st and due on August 31st. Winter taxes are billed December 1st and due on February 14th of the following year.
Summer taxation provides for the City, Library and County operating mils as well as the State Education Tax. The Hillsdale Community Schools and the Intermediate School District mils are collected half on the Summer bill, half on the Winter bill. The Winter tax bills also include Hillsdale County Ambulance, Medical Care and Senior Center mils.
To search and view your tax information online click here
We accept US post mark for payment at deadline, there is also a lockbox outside of City Hall for payments after hours. Partial payments are accepted. You can avoid the risk of late-payment penalty and interest by paying your tax bill before the due date.
According to State law, the City of Hillsdale has to close the tax books at the end of February and can no longer accept real property taxes. The rolls are turned over to the County to collect any delinquent real property tax. All inquires on taxes after March 1st need to be directed to the Hillsdale County Treasurer's Office. We have no record of what gets paid once the tax roll is turned over to the County.
State of Michigan law and our City Charter dictate the tax schedules as well as the penalty and interest rates. For some citizens, the bills are confusing because they show "fiscal years" of all the taxing units. Taxable values are calculated on "Tax Day", December 31st, and the taxes are billed over the course of the following year. It is also State of Michigan law that requires local governments to close the tax books at the end of February and the tax rolls to be turned over to the County Treasurer.
The tax bills will always be mailed to the property owner for your information. Many mortgage companies communicate with the Treasurer's office and arrange for their own reports of taxes due; however, ultimately the responsibility lies with the property owner to be certain that taxes are paid. If you have a mortgage company that handles your tax payments, please check your escrow account or call the Treasurer's office to be certain that your taxes have been paid.
Questions and requests for address changes, property tax exemptions (including Principal Residence, Disabled Veterans, and Poverty), and assessment review should be directed to the Assessing Department.
No, there are no discounts for early payment but you will avoid the risk of late-payment penalty and interest when you pay your taxes well before the due date. The City cannot accept payments via credit card at this time.
The City collects tax dollars on behalf of the Library, Hillsdale Schools, the Intermediate School District, Hillsdale County and the State of Michigan. Your summer and winter tax bills provide a breakdown on how much of your tax dollars is given to each taxing unit. Interest collected on late payments is also spread to each of the taxing units.
Click here to see a visual representation of where your tax dollars go every year.
