Property Tax Lawyers in Washtenaw County

The government of Washtenaw County, Michigan requires most people who own real property to pay taxes on its value. "Real property" refers to land and buildings, as well as anything else which is permanently adhered to a piece of land, including trees, oil, groundwater, minerals, and the like.

Property tax in Washtenaw County, Michigan is measured by taking a percentage of the appraised value of the property in question. They are typically collected on an annual or monthly schedule.

In general, the federal government does not impose any property tax. Normally, property tax is imposed by state, county, and municipal governments.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Washtenaw County, Michigan

Most often, property taxes in Washtenaw County, Michigan are simply a set percentage of the property's value. Across the country, state authorities impose a wide range of different tax rates. The highest rates in the country are in the area of 5% of the property's value, and the lowest are less than 1%.

To collect the property tax in a fair and consistent manner, Washtenaw County, Michigan tax authorities need to have an objective formula for determining the value of land under its jurisdiction.

In many ways, the value of a piece of land is relative. After all, many people ascribe sentimental value to their homes, which goes well beyond its market value. To ensure that the system is fair, the government uses only objective standards to determine value.

To that end, the Washtenaw County, Michigan employees in charge of appraising land look at objective facts to measure value, like the size of the land and any buildings on it, the way in which the land may legally be used (zoning), and the health of the local real estate market.

How A Washtenaw County, Michigan Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

The property tax system in Washtenaw County, Michigan can get pretty intricate. There are several reasons why you might run into a legal dispute regarding your property tax. For example, you may believe that the appraised value of your property was too high, increasing your tax burden unjustly. Or, the state might accuse you of failing to pay your property tax.

If you are engaged in a property tax dispute with the tax authorities of Washtenaw County, Michigan, you should seek the assistance of a Washtenaw County, Michigan tax attorney. Your attorney can help you prevent a small tax problem from turning into something much bigger and more expensive than it needs to be.