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Frequently Asked Questions
Many people find that their mortgage company did not pay their taxes. This can happen during the transitional period following a refinance. Please be sure that your mortgage company is paying the taxes.
Taxes are often left unpaid because mortgage companies miss paying them. Please watch your mortgage statements or call your local township/city treasurer's office to check that your taxes are being paid promptly. Although the mortgage company is responsible for making the payment, it is the property owner's responsibility to see that the taxes are being paid.
Our office does not have the authority to remove your name from a tax bill. You must visit your local township/city assessor's office within the municipality of where this home is located with proof of sale, deed or property transfer to have your name removed from the property.
Your current tax bill is issued by your local township/city treasurer's office. Any questions or concerns regarding your current tax bill payment must be directed to your local treasurer's office. The Treasurer cannot waive penalties and interest. The State holds the taxpayer responsible to know that taxes are paid on time.
If current taxes that were billed by your local treasurer in July and December are left unpaid, they are forwarded as delinquent to the Wayne County Treasurer for collection.
Yes, March - December of the year the taxes become delinquent. We then recommend a cashier's check, money order, or cash. Please make checks payable to WAYNE COUNTY TREASURER.
A copy of a delinquent tax bill may be obtained by mailing your request to our offices. Please include in your letter the property address and, if available, parcel id information. Mail your request to:
Wayne County Treasurer
ATTN: Tax Bill Request
400 Monroe, 5th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
You can get your parcel number from a tax bill or call your local treasurer or assessor's office.
You can find your parcel Id number on your tax bill. If you do not have a current or delinquent tax bill, you can also obtain your parcel Id number from your local treasurer or assessor's office.
Our office does not have the authority to remove your name from a tax bill. You must visit the local assessor's office within the municipality of where this home is located with proof of sale, deed or property transfer to have your name removed from the property.
You need to contact your local treasurer or assessor's office for further information.
You need to contact your local treasurer or assessor's office.
If you were granted a tax increase or decrease due to an appeal through the Board of Review or Tax Tribunal, you need to contact your local treasurer or assessor's office for explanation.
If a taxpayer would like to set up automatic monthly payments to come directly to the Wayne County Treasurer's Office they have one of two options listed below.
- Contact their banking institution and inquire about the policy on setting up direct recurring payments. Please be sure to advise your banking institution to reference your name, the parcel identification number, address and the tax year the payment should be applied to.
- Go to our website at pta.waynecounty.com click on the heading Tax Payment Options, select Pay Taxes Online and enter the required information.
In 1999, a Michigan law, Public Act 123 (MCL 211.78) significantly shortened the time property owners have to pay their delinquent taxes before losing their property. Property owners with taxes that are 2 years delinquent may be foreclosed and the property can be sold at a public auction. Not paying taxes will result in higher interest charges and fees. Taxes that are delinquent for more than one year will have a substantially higher interest rate (1.5% per month, as opposed to the current 1%), and will have a state mandated $175 forfeiture fee.
No. Forfeiture is not foreclosure. If your property is in forfeiture, you still have a year before it will be foreclosed. However, the interest and fees will be higher. When a property is forfeited, the interest rate changes from 1% per month to 1.5% per month, retroactive to the date the taxes became delinquent and a $175 fee is added.
Forfeited taxes are still payable until the following March. However, interest and penalty fees will continue to accrue each month it remains unpaid.
Yes. The Wayne County Treasurer sends at least 10 notices. This is well beyond the statutory requirement. There are 4 first class notices, 3 certified notices, at least 1 personal visit, and 2 occupant first class mailings.
September and October of the year foreclosed. Properties are offered for a minimum bid that consists of all delinquent taxes, penalties and interest. Properties not sold at the September auction are then offered at our October auction. Successful bidders will receive a Quit Claim deed to the property.
Partial payments will be accepted. You can send in whatever amount you wish to be applied to your taxes. Should you wish to receive a paid tax statement reflecting the amount paid as well as the balance due amount each time you make a payment you must send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
There may be a couple of options you can use, either call your local Family Independence Agency for assistance: (313) 456-1000, or request a hardship application by calling: (313) 224-5990.
Foreclosed homes that may be available for auction are listed on our main website at www.waynecounty.com/treasurer.
It is our goal to make every effort to notify homeowners of any delinquent taxes on their property to prevent it from being sold at auction. A listing of public auction dates and the properties available will be posted at www.waynecounty.com/treasurer. These Public Auctions usually take place in late summer and in the fall.
Anyone that owns their property (by recorded deed or land contract), and occupies the property as their principal residence and is facing a substantial financial hardship.
You can request an application by calling our office at (313) 224-5990, by sending a request by mail, by emailing us at taxinfo@waynecounty.com, or by stopping by our office in the International Center Building: 400 Monroe, 5th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226. You may also download the application from our website www.treasurer.waynecounty.com.
You need valid photo ID, either a Michigan Driver's License or State ID, a copy of the deed to the property, proof that you occupy the property as your principal residence (such as a utility bill) and proof of your income. The application is available on our website, by phone or mail, or by stopping by our office at 400 Monroe, 5th Floor, Detroit, MI, 48226.
Our income standards are 125% of the Federal Poverty Level and represent a "living wage". If your income is just above these levels and you are facing a substantial financial hardship you should apply anyway and we will take your situation into consideration.
Our Taxpayer Assistance Department Staff will review your application and will notify you within 30 days of receipt of the completed application.
Yes, if you received a Hardship Extension last year and paid that delinquency off and are still facing a financial hardship then you can apply again.
You will have until December 16 of this year to make the payment.
No, once taxes are billed they cannot be reduced by the Wayne County Treasurer and interest and fees will continue to add up as well. You may, however, qualify for an exemption from taxes that could reduce or eliminate future taxes. To find out if you qualify and to apply contact your city or township assessor's Office.
If you don't hold title to your property and need legal assistance to get the property in your name, you can contact United Community Housing Coalition at (313) 963-3310 or Legal Aid and Defender's Office at (313) 964-4130. They can give legal advice and explain your options.
If you want to pay in full you can pay online by visiting our payment website, https://pta.waynecounty.com. Click on the link and follow the payment instructions. You can also pay in full by mailing a check or money order or by visiting our office. If you want to make a partial payment you must either mail your payment to Wayne County Treasurer's Office, 400 Monroe, 5th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226 or visit our office at the same address.
The deadline for application is March 15 this year.
You can get information by emailing our office at taxinfo@waynecounty.com, calling our office (313) 224-5990 or writing to Wayne County Treasurer, Attn: Taxpayer Assistance, 400 Monroe, Ste. 530, Detroit, MI 48226 or by visiting our website at www.treasurer.waynecounty.com.
There are a number of options:
- You can pay your taxes in full online at https://pta.waynecounty.com by an electronic debit from your savings or checking account by hitting the "Pay Now" button on the screen that displays your outstanding taxes.
- You can pay taxes in full online by credit card (Master Card or Visa)
- Conveniently pay your delinquent property taxes at a kiosk at participating locations!
- You can mail your check (no cash please) or visit our offices at the following address:
400 Monroe, 5th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Partial payments are also accepted. You can send in whatever amount you wish to be applied to your taxes. Should you desire a receipt you should provide a self-addressed stamped envelope or request an electronic receipt through our website. Partial payments can only be accepted by mail or in-person.
- It's fast - the payment process takes only a few minutes.
- It's accurate - verification steps guide you along the way, you are able to review payment information before it is sent.
- It's convenient - this payment option is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without having to leave the comfort of your home.
- It's easy to use - the screens are self-explanatory and help buttons are there to guide you through the process.
- It's secure - Wayne County maintains a high level of security on the Internet.
You will need the parcel ID number (viewable on the delinquent listing screens) for the property that you are submitting payment for, name and address, an e-mail address for payment confirmation, and your checking or savings account number.
No. The electronic debit option is free at no cost to you.
Yes. This site is authorized to accept Visa or MasterCard. Taxpayers using this service will incur a service charge of 2.49% of the total taxes paid. The fee is paid to the service provider, not the Wayne County Treasurer.
As soon as the process is completed, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. To receive a receipt you can send the Treasurer a self-addressed stamped envelope indicating the parcel id and date of payment. You can also re-visit the 'Pay Taxes Online' screen five days after the payment was made and request to receive a receipt via email. The screen that displays what is due has a red box that you can click on and make the request.
If your parcel is in bankruptcy or if a tax year has a state or individual bid status then payment is accepted only in person and not via the website. Please determine the status of your parcel or call our office at (313) 224-5990 during normal business hours.
Security blocks may be in place on your computer that restricts certain functions. Try holding down the "ctrl" key when clicking on the "Pay Now" button. This may override the security block. For further assistance, please call our office at (313) 224-5990 during normal business hours.
Even though you received an e-mail confirmation for your payment, your payment can still be cancelled. Once the bank notifies us of the cancellation, your payment will be then considered as delinquent. There will also be a $25 cancellation fee added to the unpaid balance.
The Act MCLA 15.231 et seq regulates and sets requirements for the disclosure of public records by public bodies within the state. A public record is writing prepared, owned, and used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function, from the time it is created. In general, all records except those cited as exceptions are covered by the Act.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act as amended by 1996 PA 553 regulates and sets requirements for the disclosure of public records by all public bodies in the state including all state agencies, county and other local governments, school boards, other boards, departments, commissions, councils, and public colleges and universities.
Public documents may be requested under the Freedom of Information Act by an individual, corporation, Limited Liability Company, partnership, firm, organization, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity.
Requests for public records (click on form below) of the Wayne County Treasurer must be submitted to:
Roy FreijWayne County Deputy Treasurer,
Wayne County Treasurer's Office
400 Monroe, Suite 550
Detroit, MI 48226
Fax: 313-967-3081
You may submit your request via email. Our email address is WCTFOIA@waynecounty.com. Attach your request form (click on form below, save and attach). General questions may be sent as well.
FOIA Request Form
To retrieve and download foreclosure listings
Questions: FOIA Division - 313-224-2327 or 313-224-8237
Wayne County Register of Deeds