Michigan Property Tax Appeal Guide
How to challenge your property tax assessment in Michigan — deadlines, process, and a savings calculator.
What This Data Tells Us About Appeals in Michigan
In Michigan, property tax appeals are filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The typical window is May 31 for residential; July 31 for commercial appeals to the Tax Tribunal, with the deadline most commonly falling in May. Filing fees reported for this state are $25–$300 (Tax Tribunal), and Lincoln Institute research plus state-reported data suggest roughly 51% of appeals result in some reduction when supported by comparable sales or documented errors.
Michigan assesses at 50% of true cash value. You MUST attend the March Board of Review to preserve Tribunal appeal rights. Appeals are driven by the gap between a parcel's assessed value and its actual market value — the calculator below turns that gap into an annualized dollar figure at your effective tax rate. The strongest evidence is three to five arms-length comparable sales from the past six to twelve months, plus documentation of any factual errors in the assessor's record (square footage, bedroom count, finished-basement status).
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Deadlines, filing fees, success rates, and procedures vary by county within Michigan and can change year to year. Always verify the current rules with your local assessor's office — or a licensed attorney or tax professional — before filing. Source: Michigan Department of Treasury.
Appeal Deadline
May 31 for residential; July 31 for commercial appeals to the Tax Tribunal
Appeal Body: Michigan Tax Tribunal
Step-by-Step Appeal Process
- 1
Review your Notice of Assessment from the local assessor in February
- 2
Attend the March Board of Review (you must appear here before appealing to the Tribunal)
- 3
File a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal by May 31 (residential) or July 31 (commercial)
- 4
The Tribunal may schedule a hearing or resolve on submitted evidence
- 5
Appeals from the Tribunal go to the Court of Appeals
Michigan-Specific Notes
Michigan assesses at 50% of true cash value. You MUST attend the March Board of Review to preserve Tribunal appeal rights.
Source: Michigan Department of Treasury
Assessment Savings Calculator
Estimate whether an appeal is financially worthwhile and your potential annual savings.
Find your rate on your tax bill or the county website