Treasurer Announces Qualifying Income Limit To Defer Summer Property Taxes Modification

Change impacts Senior Citizens (age 62 and older), Veterans,  and Persons with Disabilities.

Brownstown Treasurer’s Office, July 14, 2005 – Public Act 24 of 2005 has amended Section 51 of the Michigan General Property Tax Act, (MCL 211.51), to allow the following residents: Senior Citizens (age 62 and older), Paraplegic or Quadriplegic, Eligible Serviceperson, Eligible Veteran, Eligible Widow or Widower, Blind Person or Totally and Permanently Disabled person, to defer their summer property taxes if they have a household income below $35,000 in 2004. The previous income level for deferment was $25,000, and revised this July, 2005.

At the beginning of July, 2005 treasurers across the state mailed property tax bills including information regarding property tax deferrals based on the previous $25,000 income limit. It has since been determined by the state, that the new $35,000 income limit will be used in this year’s summer property tax collection.

To qualify for the deferment under the new income limit, a resident must meet one or more of the following conditions as defined by the State Income Tax Act:

Household income below $35,000 for the year of 2004;

Is 62 years of age or older, including the unmarried surviving spouse of a person who was 62 years of age or older at the time of death;

Is a paraplegic, quadriplegic, eligible serviceperson, eligible veteran, eligible widow or widower, blind person or a totally and permanently disabled person.

Residents, who believe they qualify under the new limit and wish to defer their summer property taxes, can obtain an Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes from the Brownstown Treasurer’s Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Deferment forms must be on file with the Brownstown Treasurer’s Office no later than September 14, 2005. If the deferment is approved, individuals will have until February 14, 2006 to pay their summer property tax without penalty.

Diane L. Philpot, Treasurer
Charter Township of Brownstown