Tax Appeal Information
from the Palmer Woods Board
By Board Member Jeff Hines, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dear Neighbor,
 
Most if not all of you should have received proposed property tax assessments for 2010 by now. If you are not satisfied with your assessment, it is critically important that you enter in to the appeal process, by Monday, February 15.  If you do not appeal by this date, you will lose all rights for an appeal this tax year.
 
Once your appeal is on record, I can assist you further with the process in the event you need support or have questions ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

More help to appeal your property taxes, prepared by the former President of Boston Edison, Jim Hamilton, is an excellent reference document on the subject: http://www.historicbostonedison.org/appeal.shtml

To appeal the  2010 Assessments, residents may follow one of the two options below:

Step 1.  Go to the Coleman A Young Bldg, Room 804 and request form "Petition to City of Detroit 2010 Assessors Review" between February 1 through February 15th.
 
 Step 2.  Take Petition form to Room 805  Meet with an Assessor. Present your case to the assessor.  You evidence can include the following:

• Comparative Sales.  Your State Equalized Value SEV is based on Sales Data between Sept 30, 2008 through October 1, 2009.  Accordingly you may present evidence of sales that occurred during that period do not support the SEV value assigned to your property.  Sales data does not include foreclosures.  However, bank sales to individual can be included.
• Proof of any "obsolescence".  Picture of damage to you home my be used to substantiate damage. Note that an obsolescence claim may involve a followup visit by a city assessor.
• Appraisal.  You may use an appraisal to substantiate the market value of your home. However, the assessor has the option of disregarding the appraisal on the basis of lack of objectivity.
  

Step 3. The assessors office will mail a letter indicating a reduction of taxes or a rejection of your Petition within 2 to 3 weeks. If you are dissatisfied with the Assessors letter, follow the instructions in the letter to Appeal your case with the March Board of Review. The Assessors Office will give you an appointment to present your case to the March Board of Review. You may used the evidence outlined in Step 2 above to appeal to the Board of Review.
 
Step 4. The March Board of Review will evaluate your appeal and accept or decline it.  If you do not agree with the Board of Review's determination, you may appeal to the State of Michigan Tribunal prior to June 30, 2010.  Instructions to appeal to the Michigan Tribunal will be included with your letter from the Board of Review.
 
Option B

Step 1. Upon receipt of your property tax assessment, you may write a letter to the Assessors Office indicating that you would like to appeal your property tax assessment.  The letter should be mailed in prior to February 15, 2010. The assessors office will give you an appointment to present your case to the March Board of Review. You may used the evidence outlined in Option A. Step 2 above.
 
 The letter must be postmarked by February 15 to the address on the sample letter below:
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 SAMPLE LETTER TO APPEAL ASSESSMENT

 House No. Street Name
 Detroit, MI  482##
 Date
 
 Assessors Review
 Room 804
 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
 2 Woodward Avenue
 Detroit, MI  48226
 
 RE:  Property Identification from “Notice”
 0#######.                   House Address
 Detailed legal description of property (verbatim from notice)
 
 Dear Assessor:
 
 This property is my home. Currently it has an Assessed Value of $###,### for 2010 on the “Notice of Assessment.” This assessed value is much too high. I appeal this assessment.
 
 [NOTE: Stop here. This is sufficient to get you a date with the March Review Board..]
 
 Sincerely,
 
 Your Signature
 
 Your Name
 
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Step 2.  In 2 - 3 weeks after sending the letter to the Assessors Office you will receive and appointment to appear before the  March Board of Review.  You must present evidence proving that your property assessment is to high.  (See Option A. step 2 above)  The Board of Review will evaluate your appeal and mail their determination within 1 - 2 months.  If you do not agree with the Board of Review's determination, you may appeal to the State of Michigan Tribunal prior to June 30, 2010. Instructions to appeal to the Michigan Tribunal will be included with your letter from the Board of Review.
 
For additional information please see the following link: https://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/Finance/AssessmentDivision/tabid/88/Default.aspx