Assessing
The Assessing Department maintains property assessments for the equitable distribution of property tax burden, as per the current Michigan General Property Tax Laws. The Assessor compiles the annual assessment role on which taxes will be levied, maintains property descriptions and maps for taxing purposes, provides the Township Treasurer with taxable value on all properties within the township, which are used to produce the annual tax bills, processes personal property statements and conducts field audits of both existing properties and new construction.
Please call or email us if you have inquiries about your property assessment or if you would like to arrange an in-person meeting with our Assessor to discuss your property’s Record Card. You can also stop by during office hours. If the Assessor is not available when you contact us, you can expect a reply from us within seven business days.
You can file a FOIA Request if you wish to inspect and/or request copies of records maintained by the Assessing Department.
Annual Assessments - Assessment Notices
All annual assessments, as required and regulated by State Law, are conducted by the Assessing Department. Every year you will receive your property’s Notice of Assessing, Taxable Valuation and Property Classification. If you have questions about your assessment, please contact our office. If you don’t agree with your property assessment, you can file an appeal to the March Board of Review.
Understanding your Notice of Assessing, Taxable Valuation and Property Classification
Annual Studies
As part of the annual assessments, the Assessor’s department is required by law to develop a land value for every taxable property in the Township and to develop Economic Condition Factors, usually based on 2-year sales.
20% Parcel Review In Progress
To comply with the State Tax Commission requirements, Assessing staff are conducting their 20% parcel review. Staff may be in your neighborhood to measure the outside of buildings and take exterior photos. Staff will not need to, nor will ask, to come into your home. Certain properties on the streets (PDF) will be reviewed - you will receive a postcard if your property is being reviewed.
Appraisals
Any new home construction, commercial building construction, industrial property, agricultural property, business personal property, or remodeled homes/businesses within the Township is appraised by the Assessing Department.
Land Divisions
If you have questions about land divisions or whether your property meets the qualifications for a land division, the Assessing Department can assist you and guide you through the process.
Manage Property Records
The Assessing Department keeps records of all sales, Principle Residence Exemptions, property characteristics, and name/address changes.
Tax & Assessing Forms
- Affirmation of Ownership Occupancy to Remain Exempt by Reason of Poverty (PDF)
- Allowing Poverty Exemption Extension Resolution 21-05 (PDF)
- Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes 471 (PDF)
- Application for Poverty Exemption (PDF)
- Conditional Rescission of Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) 4640 (PDF)
- Guidelines for the Michigan Principal Residence Exemption Program (PDF)
- Poverty Exemption Affidavit (PDF)
- Poverty Exemption Fact Sheet MCL 211 .7 u (PDF)
- Poverty Exemption Guidelines (Resolution 22-33) (PDF)
- Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) Active Duty Military Affidavit 4660 (PDF)
- Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) Affidavit 2368 (PDF)
- Property Transfer Affidavit (PDF)
- Request to Rescind Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) 2602 (PDF)
- State Tax Commission Affidavit for Disabled Veterans Exemption (PDF)
Lot Adjustment Forms
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Claudia Stirton
AssessorPhone: 269-548-4311
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Assessing Department
Physical Address
7110 W Q Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Hours
Monday through Thursday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- What is the role of the Assessor?
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The Assessor is responsible for estimating the value of your property, which determines your assessed valuation. The Assessor does not determine your property taxes. Instead, the assessed valuation determines the overall share of taxes you pay. Because your assessment affects your property taxes, it is important that your assessed value be accurate and fair. It is also important that you understand how the value of your property is estimated and what can cause property values to change.
- How is your property value estimated?
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The Assessor estimates the value of your property typically by first examining and collecting information on the physical characteristics of the property. Physical characteristics can include, among others, the square footage of land and improvements, whether or not the improvements include a garage, the number of bathrooms, and the nature of amenities such as swimming pools and fireplaces.
- What causes property values to change?
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A property's value can change for many reasons. The most obvious is that the property changes: a garage, or swimming pool is added, or part of the property is destroyed by flood or fire. The most frequent cause of a change in value is a change in the market value.
- What is the 20% parcel review?
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To comply with the State Tax Commission guidelines, Texas Township is required to conduct field review of 20% of its properties every year (State Tax Commission (STC) Bulletin 2 of 2014 (PDF)).
The property review is to ensure all buildings and structures are accounted for and accurately measured. Property Record Card photos should also be updated at this time.
If you received a postcard, your property will be reviewed this year. Assessing staff will be going house to house measuring the outside of buildings and structures on the property. Staff will not need to, nor will ask, to come inside your home. They will also take digital photographs, front and back. If you are not home at the inspection day, staff will leave a door hanger at your door to let you know they have been there.
The Township Office will be aware of the schedule and who will be working in your property. Call the office if you have any questions about who might be knocking at your door.
Please call the Assessor if you have any questions or concerns.
- What is a State Equalized Value?
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State Equalized Value (SEV): 50% of Market Value or True Cash Value, commonly referred to as your property assessment.
- What is Capped Value?
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Capped Value (CV): The formula is: Previous year's Taxable Value minus Losses (physical changes to the property) times the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 5%; whichever is less, plus Additions (physical changes to the property), (TV-Losses multiplied by CPI (5%) plus Additions equals CV)
- What is Taxable Value?
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Taxable Value (TV) is the value upon which property taxes are based. TV is the Lesser of State Equalized Value (SEV) or Capped Value (CV). TV in the year following a transfer of ownership (sale, gift inheritance, etc.) is equal to the SEV.