Assessing Department

The Township Assessing Department is updating property record card information, photos, and sketches and performing onsite property inspections for the township’s commercial, industrial, and residential neighborhoods.

Our department is primarily responsible for performing and maintaining property assessments for the equitable distribution of property tax burden, per the current Michigan General Property Tax Laws.

The Assessing Department compiles the annual assessment role on which taxes will be levied, maintains property tax descriptions and maps, processes personal property statements, and conducts field audits of both existing properties and new construction located within Marquette Charter Township. The Assessing Department provides the township treasurer with taxable value on all township properties, used to produce the annual tax bills.

• Establish legal assessment roll and annually site-visit 20% residential properties
• Review and evaluate commercial and industrial property
• Site visit and review all new construction
• Continue public education in areas such as non-consideration forms, homestead applications, property transfers, and personal property tax law
• Enhance and increase understanding of and compliance with the property tax system as established by Township ordinances and State law

WHAT IS ASSESSED VALUE?

Assessed Value shall not exceed 50% of the True Cash Value of the property. Assessors use mass appraisal techniques to determine the true cash of each property every year and sets the Assessed Value at 50% of the True Cash Value. True Cash Value of a property is synonymous with market value.

WHAT IS CAPPED VALUE?

Capped Value is a calculation of the previous year’s Taxable Value multiplied by the Inflation Rate Multiplier and adjusted for any physical changes in the property. The inflation rate multiplier is based on a two year average of Consumer Price Index CPI.

WHAT IS TAXABLE VALUE?

Taxable Value is determined by the lower of the Assessed Value or the Capped Value. Properties that transferred ownership in the previous year will have the Taxable Value set to the current Assessed Value. Taxable Value is the basis of property tax in Michigan and is multiplied by the millage rate to determine the tax amount each year.

WHAT IS STATE EQUALIZED VALUE?

State Equalized Value (SEV) is final Assessed Value after the County and State complete their equalization processes and certify the Assessed and Taxable Values. Typically, the SEV is the same as the Assessed Value.