Detroit Property Tax Appeals

Hi, thanks for the info.  Is there anything i should bring with me, i am not sure how this works but i know these taxes are killing me =(

I actually received a notice that they will be open on Saturday as well.  I already went down there for one of my properties and found out they will reducing my taxes already by $600 and based on my discussion with the assessor...more will be taken off after I go through the appeal process.

FYI...don't hire one of those companies that charge for doing this...it's a waste of money.

Yup, I got the same notice about it being open on Saturday...going down tomorrow -- crossing my fingers

hallo, can i appeal by mail.  becasue i am from out of town.

give me your opinion.

thx

jack

There web site does say you can appeal by letter for the first step.  I also am out of town, Is anybody familiar with the second step, does it have to be in person.

Sold property feb 1998.

Still has me as owner and taxs are not being payed.

How do I get my name off the property?

Live out of state 12 years. 

You are going to have to contact the office at the above number.

No THe Fascists in the City of Detroit Finance Division demand that YOU APPEAR IN PERSON.

This is so it will be a HASSLE FOR YOU and less people will appeal.

They want to make it as hard as possible. Then you MUST APPEAR IN PERSON at the appeal meeting (Which automatically occurs because they don't want to lower your taxes). Thus further denying people justice and ripping them off

This is so the City of Detroit can RIP YOU OFF from what is fair and equitable.

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John - When it comes to residential properties unless there are extenuating circumstances the property owner should appeal himself. Its not worth it for the property owner or the company to fight an appeal unless they charge you something upfront. If you are out of town you may want to hire representation should you want to appear in front of the March Board of Review. 

Jack, Bruce & Dave - You can file the first step with the Board of Assessors by mail. It just needs to be postmarked by February 15. You should state that your assessment was too high and you would like to appeal. You may want to also include a short argument why it should be lower and where you would like it to be. TIP - Initially, always state a figure that is below what you want. Unless you're way off (i.e. $1) they will want to settle somewhere in the middle.

Dave - I think the word you were looking for is unsophisticated. As long as you know all the rules of their game you can bring your property taxes down substantially. BEWARE: Many city employees will give you  misinformation. This is not to mislead you but rather because they think they know things that they just don't know. Don't learn this the hard way! Always confirm things on their website or through a third party.

We have been appealing assessments successfully on behalf of portfolio residential owners and commercial property owners for many years. 

Gary, you said you have been appealing portfolio residential properties successfully for may years. So, I have some questions for you. I am currently appealing 90 properties in the City of Detroit. When they are income properties the assessors will only look at a proposed valuation using the Income approach only. They dont care about sales studies or case law, or the definition of true cash value, as defined by the state of Michigan. The Board of Review is exactly the same.

Did you provide the assessors with a valuation using the Income approach?

Any sucess with the first step, the assessors review? Or do you have to go to the Board of review?

What has been your experience with the first two steps? Have you went to the Tax Tribunal at all?

Shawn - Though you’re correct that it’s not given the weight it ought to, I have not found that to be the case entirely. Pur experience has been that they will give some credence to comps etc., though not as much as we may like nor not as much as they would a homestead.

We have had fair success at the Assessor’s Review (though never what we’d like to see). 80% go to BOR which is tougher. We also have several pending at MTT which we intend to include an income analysis. Hope this helps.