If I don't pay my taxes, will I really lose my house and property?
Yes. Property owners who had delinquent taxes under the old law could also lose their property, but they had more time to redeem their taxes. With Public Act 123 there is a two year limit on being delinquent.
What is a delinquent tax?
A delinquent tax is a tax that has been forwarded to the County Treasurer for collection on March 1 of the year after it was due. For example, unpaid taxes that are billed by your city or township treasurer in 2018 will be turned delinquent to the County Treasurer on March 1, 2019.
What happens after the property is forwarded to the County Treasurer for collection?
The County Treasurer adds a 4% administration fee and interest of 1% per month. After one year, the property is forfeited to the County Treasurer. For example, the 2017 taxes that remain unpaid as of March 1, 2019 will be in forfeiture.
What does it mean for my property to be in forfeiture? Does that mean I lose my property?
No. Forfeiture is not foreclosure. 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 $354 fee is also added.
What happens after my property is in forfeiture?
After a property has been in forfeiture for one year, it will be foreclosed. Your 2016 property taxes will be foreclosed in March, 2019.
What happens after my property is foreclosed? How do I get it back?
YOU CANNOT GET YOUR PROPERTY BACK AFTER IT HAS BEEN FORECLOSED. FORECLOSURE IS FINAL. PROPERTY THAT HAS BEEN FORECLOSED WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION.
What if I can't come up with all the money right now?
Partial payments can be made any time prior to foreclosure on delinquent taxes. Please make your check payable to Saginaw County Treasurer and mail it to 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. To ensure your payment being applied to your parcel, please write your parcel number on your check or money order.
Will I receive any notification before my property is foreclosed?
Yes. Five notifications will be made. Two will be by first class mail, two by certified mail and the last notification will be made by personal service. In addition to these notifications, names and addresses of delinquent property owners may be published in the newspaper.
I guess I really don't have to worry about losing my property until 2019. Why not wait and pay my taxes then?
The longer you wait to pay, the more it will cost you. A tax bill that started at $1000 could cost you as much as $1,800 if you wait until the final day to pay. Don’t wait until the last minute Foreclosure is final!
