WHEN DO THE TAX BILLS COME OUT?   Your summer tax bill is mailed to you the first week in July and your winter tax bill is mailed to you the first week in December.

WHAT MONTHS DOES THIS TAX BILL COVER?  Both your summer and winter tax bill covers the whole year from January 1st until December 31st.   These tax bills do not
cover specific months, but rather, collect different taxes due for the entire year.  The two tax bills together make up the total annual property taxes due.  The summer tax bill collects the taxes for Kent Intermediate Schools District, Grand Rapids Community College, ½ of the Lowell Area Schools,  State Education Tax and the Kent County general operating.  The winter tax bill collects the taxes for Kent County Jail and Senior Citizens Millage,  Kent District Library, Vergennes Township, and ½ of the Lowell Area Schools.

WHEN IS IT DUE?   Your summer bill is due on September 14th and your winter bill is due on February 14th.  We do not accept postmarks.  All payments received in our office after the due date will be assessed interest.  State law mandates that interest be added to any payment received after the due date.  Exceptions cannot be made, so be sure to mail early to allow sufficient time to reach our office.

HOW CAN I PAY MY TAX BILL?  Payments may be made at the Township Office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  There is a 24-hour mail slot located in the entry door.  Please enclose your payment in a sealed envelope and never leave cash.  If you are paying by mail, please use the enclosed yellow envelope.  If you would like a receipt for your property taxes, please enclose the entire bill and a self-addressed envelope.  We will stamp the top portion of the tax bill and return it to you.  It is very important that you know you may make partial payments.  You may start paying on your bill as soon as you receive it.

HOW IS THE BILL FIGURED?   The “Taxable Value” is multiplied by the “Millage Rates” to arrive at the “Total Amount Due”.

WHY DO I RECEIVE A TAX BILL IF MY MORTGAGE COMPANY PAYS MY TAXES?   It is impossible for us to know who your mortgage company is and whether they are to pay your taxes or you are.  Your mortgage company knows, so they request your tax information to be sent to them.  We also send you a copy  so that you: 1) know how much your taxes are, 2) know who requested your tax information(mortgage company will be listed under your name) 3) can compare your tax bill with the end of year statement sent to you by your lender and, 4) have information you may need to file your income taxes.  If your bill does not indicated your tax information was sent to your lender, simply forward a copy of the bill to your mortgage company.  Please keep your copy for future reference.

WHAT IF I RECEIVE A BILL THAT I DON’T THINK IS MINE?  Name/Ownership changes on real property are affected by the recording of the Deed, which is done at the County level and can take several weeks to process.  If you receive a bill for a property that you no longer own, kindly pass it on to the new buyer, if possible, for timely payment or return it to the township so that we may redirect it.  Personal property taxes are determined by the location of the property in the township on December 31st.  For the purpose of changing a mailing address only,  please correct the bottom portion and mail in.

WHAT IS THE PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION AND HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS IN PLACE ON MY PROPERTY?  You qualify for the Homestead Exemption if you own and reside (by May 1st) in your home.  This is a State of Michigan law, not a township rule.   This means you do not pay local school operating tax.  Check your bill…if the Lowell Area Schools operating is $.00, you are all set.