Assessing | City of Southfield

The City of Southfield Assessors Office, in accordance with Michigan’s General Property Tax Law, is responsible for conducting and maintaining an accurate inventory of all property, both real and personal. This consists of current ownership, addresses and legal descriptions, as well as an annual analytical study of the local real estate market to determine property values as of tax-day, December 31 of each year, for the purpose of levying the taxes lawfully imposed thereon. In order to fairly distribute the tax burden which supports the cost of public education, county and local government services.

The Department operates under the provision of the General Property Tax Act of 1893, as amended, and also applicable local charter provisions. In addition, the department maintains and monitors the Principal Residential Exemption (PRE) status of all property throughout the City, processes all requested and approved splits, combinations and any other description changes of vacant and improved land. It must also prepare all special assessment rolls related to equitable disbursements of the cost of certain infrastructure improvements to all benefited parcels of land, pursuant to City Council resolution.

The Assessing Department must prepare the reports, forms and warrants mandated by the county and state for equalization of assessments and the spreading of property taxes. As required by law, the Assessing Department provides the means of assessment appeal through the March Board of Review and correction of mutual mistakes of fact and clerical error by convening the July and December Boards of Review. The Department is also responsible for the preparation and defense of all assessment petitions before the Michigan Tax Tribunal and State Tax Commission.

Poverty:

Those residents who fall below the Federal Poverty Guidelines MAY qualify for tax relief under a Hardship Exemption. Applications can be found under the Forms Tab. All required documents shall be received in the Assessor’s office No Later Than the last day of the open hearings of the March Board of Review. Only applications identified with the current tax year on the front cover will be accepted.

Disabled Veterans:

We are so proud of all our Veterans here in Southfield and thank you for your service and sacrifice. If you are a Disabled Veteran with a Veterans Administration (VA) disability rating of 100% or more and/or declared Unemployable, you may qualify for a Veterans Property Tax Exemption by completing the Veterans form under the Forms tab. Copies of your annual VA Summary of Benefits letter, DD214, VA Identification card and Driver’s License will be required. These documents must be received before the close of the March Board of Review.

For Assessment information, please call the Assessing Department at 1-248-796-5230.

Online Assessment Data: access assessment and tax data

Get information for tax bills and payments, or call the Treasurer’s Office at 1-248-796-5200.