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If I don’t pay my taxes, will I really lose my home?
What happens after the property is forwarded to the county treasurer for collection?
What does it mean for my property to be in Forfeiture?
What happens after my property is in Forfeiture?
Can I get my property back if it is Foreclosed?
Will I receive any notice before my property is Foreclosed?
I don’t have to worry about losing my property yet. Why not wait and pay my taxes later?
What if I don’t have all the money right now?
Q. If I don’t pay my taxes, will I really lose my home?
A. YES. Under PA123 of 1999, if your taxes are delinquent for two years, you lose your property.
A. A delinquent tax is a tax bill that was forwarded to the county treasurer for collection on March 1st of the year after it was due.
For example, taxes that are billed by your city or township treasurer in 2005 were turned delinquent to the county treasurer on March 1, 2006.
Q. What happens after the property is forwarded to the county treasurer for collection?
A. The county treasurer adds a required 4% administration fee and 1% per month interest. After one year, the property is Forfeited to the county treasurer.
For example, the 2005 taxes that were unpaid as of March 1, 2007 were Forfeited.
Q. What does it mean for my property to be in Forfeiture?
A. FORFEITURE IS THE BEGINNING OF THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. If your property is in Forfeiture, you still have one year before it will be Foreclosed. However, the interest and fees will be higher. When a property is forfeited, the interest rate goes from 1% per month to 1.5% per month, back to the date the taxes became delinquent. A fee of at least $245 is also added. A notice of Forfeiture is recorded with the Register of Deeds.
Q. What happens after my property is in Forfeiture?
A. After a property has been in Forfeiture for approximately one year, it will be Foreclosed. 2005 property taxes will be Foreclosed in March 2008.
A. Foreclosure is the loss of your property. It occurs March 31st after the Circuit Court judgment is entered.
Q. Can I get my property back if it is Foreclosed?
A. NO. FORECLOSURE IS FINAL! You can not get your property back after it has been Foreclosed. Foreclosed property is offered at public auction.
Q. Will I receive any notice before my property is Foreclosed?
A. Yes. You will receive five notices. Two will be by first class mail, two by certified mail and the last notice will be made by personal service. The names and addresses of those with an interest in Forfeited property will also be published in a local paper.
Q. I don’t have to worry about losing my property yet. Why not wait and pay my taxes later?
A. Don’t wait! Unpaid property taxes from 2005 will result in property foreclosure in early 2008. If all taxes,penalties and interest are not paid before the end of the redemption period, you will lose your property. Foreclosure is final! Bankruptcy stops Forfeiture and Foreclosure. Make sure we know about it. Very low income households may qualify for State or local hardship which stops Foreclosure.
Contact Treasurer Schertzing at (517)676-7233
or Eschertzing@ingham.org with questions.
Q. What if I don’t have all the money right now?
A. If you can’t pay your taxes all at once, you can
make payments. When making payments, use a
check or money order and remember to:
1. make it payable to the Ingham County Treasurer
2. write your parcel number on it
3. mail it to P.O. Box 215, Mason, MI 48854-0215
If you can’t pay your taxes you may contact the
Department of Human Services at 887-9400 or visit them at 5303 S. Cedar St in Lansing for possible financial assistance.
Source: Ingham County Treasurers Office