With a declining economy and many homeowner trying unsuccessfully to sell, the state came through recently with a new law to help.
The catch: you have less than a month to take advantage of it.
‘It’s up to the homeowner to come to us,? said Beverly Shaver, Independence Township assessor. ‘They have to come and ask for it, it’s nothing we can notify them on. If we’re aware of it and we’re talking to people, we will bring it out.?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law the ‘Conditional Rescission? bill April 8. The law is intended to lighten some property owners? tax burden.
Application Form 4160 must be submitted by May 1 to local assessors.
‘I feel bad that we have such a small window to get this out there,? Shaver said. ‘So we’re going to miss some people, but they will qualify next year if they still own the house and it’s still for sale and it’s still vacant.?
The law would provide homeowners living in one house while trying to sell another a way to avoid paying non-homestead property taxes on it.
According to Proposal A, school districts can charge non-homestead property, including second homes and businesses, 18 mills in property tax.
‘Conditional rescission? means a property owner can excempt their home from the non-homestead property taxes if they are trying to sell it.
‘The house has to be for sale, unoccupied and not used for any commercial or business purpose, and you can’t live out of state,? said Kim Adkins, appraiser for Independence Township. ‘You must be in Michigan.?
Homeowners should check with their assessor even if they are not sure they qualify, Adkins said.
‘It (the new bill) is so new we aren’t even sure of all the little quirks in it,? she said.
Independence Township residents, call Shaver at 248-625-8114. Springfield Township residents should call Assessor Vicki Steven at 248-846-6530. Clarkston residents, call Oakland County Equalization Division, 248-858-0760.
Information is also available at www.michigan.gov/taxes.
Lauren Halula contributed to this story.