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ASSESSING

Sherry Burd, Assessor – In the office Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM or by appointment. 
Please call 906-484-2672 or email assessor@clarktwp.org

Clark Township Office Contact:  Clark Township Assessor

As a taxpayer in the Township of Clark, you are concerned about paying only your fair share of taxes for services received. In the Assessor’s office, we are responsible for estimating the market value of every property in the Township. As we estimate the value of your property, we also make every effort to assure that your assessment is equitable to similar properties. Please feel free to contact the Assessor’s Office if you need assistance.

The Assessing Department consists of a MAAO Assessor. Some of her duties include:

  • Keep records of all sales, Principle Residence Exemptions, and property characteristics, and analyze the Real Estate Market.
  • Appraise new or remodeled buildings within the Township.
  • Prepare annual assessments, as prescribed and regulated by State law.
  • Appraise all Business Personal Property within the Township.
  • Answer questions concerning and assist you in making Land Divisions for property tax purposes.

Tax Day is December 31 of each year and the property is assessed at 50% of its 'True Cash Value' as of that date. The township local assessor is responsible for annually reviewing every assessment in their taxing jurisdiction. Tax assessor, through the local board of review, is the only agency that is allowed to change an individual assessment.

There are various reasons that your assessed and taxable values can increase. The assessed value represents 50% of the value of the property and has no limit in which it can increase. Some of the reasons that an assessed value can increase is because of improvements made to the property and general market increases. Taxable values are capped at rate of inflation increases or 5%, whichever is less, unless there are new improvements made to the property.

Michigan Constitution and property tax law requires that all property be uniformly assessed at no more than 50% of true cash value, which is the cash price a property could bring in a competitive and open market.

The Assessor will be in the field periodically to measure and update photos. The use and distribution of this information provides an indirect benefit to any individual who wishes to buy, sell or finance property in the Township.

We hope this endeavor will further enhance the availability of information to the township residents.

We thank you for your cooperation and support!

Property and Tax Information FAQ

What is Assessed Value?

(AV) equals half of the usual selling price (also referred to as the "True Cash Value".  The Michigan Constitution requires that Assessed Value shall not exceed 50% of the market value or true cash value of the property.

What is Taxable Value?

Taxable Value is used for the calculation of property taxes.  It equals the lesser of the Assessed Value or the Capped Value.

What is "Uncapping"?

The Taxable Value on a property is said to be "capped" if the property owner did not purchase it in the preceding year. By State Law, when a property is sold or otherwise transferred, the Taxable Value in the year following the transfer, will be made equal to the Assessed Value and thus is said to be "uncapped" for the year. After the uncapping, the Taxable Value is capped for future years until there is another change of ownership.

Why isn't my new assessment half of my purchase price?

The answer is that it is against the law. MCL 211.27 states that the purchase price is no longer the presumptive True Case Value of a property. The assessment may be close to half of the purchase price but the property assessment is determined by investigating the other sales in the vicinity of the property. All of the assessment in the vicinity of the property is set using a sales study.

Another reason may be that we simply do not have correct information on your property. For example, if the house was unlivable at the time of purchase, we may not know that. Also, check your record card. This can be done in 2 ways; one, you can check the information using our online property and tax information, or contact our office either in person or by phone.

When can I appeal my assessment?

By law, the only time you may appeal your assessment is at the March Board of Review. The dates and times are on your assessment notice and on our website. After you receive your Change of Assessment in February, you may contact the Assessor's office at 906-484-2672 to schedule an appointment, or you may send a letter of appeal, including the Michigan Department of Treasury Form L-4035, Petition to Board of Review, which you can get from our office.

What are grounds for an appeal?

An appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes. It is your opportunity to prove that your property's estimated market value is either inaccurate or unfair. You will be most successful when you can prove at least one of three things:

  • Items on your record card are inaccurate.
  • You have evidence that similar properties have sold for less than the estimated market value of your property.
  • The estimated market value of your property is accurate but inequitable because it is higher than the estimated value of similar properties.

What happens if I'm not happy with the decision of the March Board of Review?

State law provides the next level of appeal at the Michigan Tax Tribunal. A letter of appeal on residential property must be sent to the Tribunal (P.O. Box 30232, Lansing, MI 48909) by July 31st following an appeal to/at the March Board of Review.

How do I change my Mailing Address?

To ensure proper billing of taxes and required notices we encourage you to notify us of any name changes, mailing address changes or business changes.
You can change your address by mailing us a request to do so.

General property Tax Act

21.27 "True Cash Value" Definition

Purchasing property?

FYI - Upon purchasing or a transfer of property - use the below property tax estimator - for a more accurate indication of property taxes, enter the current assessed value (S.E.V.) or 50% of Sale Price, instead of taxable value.

Use the link below, from the State of Michigan, to assist you in estimating your future tax payment.

State of Michigan Tax Payment Estimator

Other informational links:

Mackinac County Equalization Department
State of Michigan - Department of Treasury
State Tax Commission
Statewide Search for Subdivision Plats


Transfer of Ownership & Taxable Value Uncapping Guidelines – State of Michigan
Transfer & Uncapping Guidelines

Homestead (P.R.E.) Guidelines – State of Michigan
Homestead Guidelines

Homestead (P.R.E.) Form due June 1st - State of Michigan
Homestead form (2368)

Homestead Rescind Form - State of Michigan
Homestead Rescind Form

Homestead Exemption – Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions

PTA - Property Transfer Affidavit (L-4260) - State of Michigan
PTA - This form must be filed whenever real estate or some types of personal property are transferred.

Michigan Tax Tribunal - State of Michigan
MTT Information Page

Poverty Resolution Guidelines - State of Michigan
Poverty Resolution Guidelines

Poverty Exemption Application - State of Michigan
Poverty Exemption Application​

Documents

 

2024 ECF 2024 Land Values

ECF 401 Res
ECF 402 & 403 Res
ECF All Island
ECF All Main Land Res
ECF All Res
ECF Commercial
ECF Hill Island
ECF Island 8
ECF Island
ECF Les Cheneaux Club
ECF Main Water Front
ECF Small Island
ECF Woodland & Park
ECG Map
Table from BSA

2 Years Vacant Land Sales
101 - AG 24
201 Comm Land 
401 Land Values 
402 Hessel 
403 Cedarville
Hessel Harbor
Hill & #8 Island Land Value
Island Land Value
RV Park
Water FF-Main Land 
Woodland & Park Ave Water

 

 

 

CLARK TOWNSHIP
P.O. BOX 367
207 N. Blindline Rd., Cedarville, MI 49719-0367
Phone:  906.484.2672
Fax:  906.484.3199