Keene Township, Ionia County, Michigan

Township Assessor

  

 The Assessor is Brian Thelen

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Contact info is below

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P O Box 499​

Westphalia MI 48894

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Phone:  616-327-7843

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Email:  keeneassessor@gmail.com

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All property is annually assessed as of tax day, December 31. Change of Assessment Notices are mailed in February. The following are helpful terms to understand when reviewing your assessment notice.

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Assessed Value (AV): The State of Michigan requires that a property’s assessed value is equal to 50% of the estimated True Cash Value (TCV or fair market value). Generally, the assessed value is the same as the State Equalized Value (SEV) unless an equalization factor is warranted.

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Taxable Value (TV) – The value on which property taxes will be computed. A property’s taxable value will only increase annually by the rate of inflation (CPI) or 5%, whichever is less, unless there is an addition to the property (physical improvement) or the removal and or demolition to the property or increase due to a transfer of ownership.

 

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP: Occurs when a title or present interest in the property is transferred through a conveyance by deed, land contract, trust, distribution under a will, or certain leases. A Property Transfer Affidavit (PTA) is required to be filed with the Assessor for every transfer of ownership that takes place.

• PLEASE NOTE: The year following the transfer of ownership the “Taxable Value” becomes uncapped and will become equal to the “Assessed Value”, therefore the new owner’s property taxes will be higher than what the previous owner was paying for property taxes. A property is exempt from uncapping if it is a transfer of Qualified Agricultural Property or between certain family members, then an exemption from uncapping must be noted on the required Property Transfer Affidavit and filed with the assessor.

 

PROPERTY CLASSIFICATION: The General Property Tax Law provides that all property be classified into certain classifications for the purpose of maintaining uniformity of assessed values.

• Assessed value = 50% of true cash value(fair market value)

• Taxable value = prior year’s taxable value minus physical losses (fire or demolition), multiplied by current year’s inflation rate (CPI), plus any physical additions (new construction)

• How are my property taxes calculated?

Taxable Value multiplied by the Millage Rate divide by 1,000 = Property Tax Bill + Special Assessments.            

                             

If a property owner disagrees with an assessment, they may file an appeal, which will be heard by the March Board of Review. A property owner must appeal to the March Board of Review to protect their right to further review at the State Tax Tribunal.

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