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Jill Cutshaw, Treasurer
(517) 655-3193 ext. 304
[email protected]
Kim VanErp, Deputy Treasurer
(517) 655-3193 ext. 306
[email protected]
At the October 11, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting, our auditors presented an overview of our recent audit of our financial records from Fiscal Year 2022/2023. You can read the full report here: Williamstown Township Year-End 2023 Financial Statements.
The Township is in excellent financial health and the Board will continue to monitor revenue and expenditures throughout the year. See our Proposed FY 24/25 budget. To learn where your tax dollars go, click here.
Williamstown Township is currently seeking proposals to secure two new contracts for financial and accounting services, specifically to perform our annual pre-audit and final financial audit following the fiscal year end which is March 31, 2024. Note that the deadline for proposals to be received at the Township is April 8, 2024.
The Treasurer’s Office is required by law to receive and take charge of all funds belonging to the Township and those which are required by law to be paid into the Township Treasury. The Treasurer is also required to pay out funds to local school districts. In Williamstown Township, these include Williamston, Okemos, Haslett, Perry, Ingham Intermediate Schools, Shiawassee RESD and Lansing Community College. Other governmental units also receive tax money from Williamstown Township, according to the district’s tax rate.
Summer Taxes: Summer taxes are mailed out every year on July 1st. The due date is September 14th by 5pm (or next business day if that day falls on a weekend or holiday). After that date, 1% interest charge is added to the balance due, as well as on the first of each month the obligation remains unpaid. On February 14, a 3% penalty will also be added to the amount still owed. On March 1st, any unpaid balance will be turned over as delinquent to the Ingham County Treasurer.
Winter Taxes: Winter taxes are mailed out every year on December 1st. The due date is February 14th by 5pm (or next business day if that day falls on a weekend or holiday). After that date, a 3% penalty is added to the amount due. On March 1st, any unpaid balance will be turned over as delinquent to the Ingham County Treasurer.
Personal Property Taxes: Personal Property taxes are collected by the Treasurer’s office year-round. Ingham County is not involved in collecting delinquent personal property taxes. If you need to make arrangements to pay these taxes, give the Township Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer a call.
Treasurer Statutory Duties
“Duties” Courtesy of the Michigan Township Association
Audit Reports – Financial Reports and Audit for Williamstown Township – FY 2022/2023
Taxes are mailed out every year on July 1st and December 1st. Correspondingly, they are due every year on September 14th and February 14th (unless the date falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case they are due on the next business day).
If you do not receive a tax bill, please contact the Township Hall and we will send a new one, or you can get the amount due by clicking Online Property Tax Information (this also applies to receipts). Please be advised that it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to pay their property taxes timely, whether a tax bill has been received or not. Failure to physically receive a bill does not excuse the obligation or due date.
Taxable Value (TV)
TV is the figure which is used to calculate your taxes. Multiplying the TV by the millage rate, then dividing by 1,000 will determine your tax liability. TV can increase from year to year up to the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower. Transfers of ownership, which “uncap” the TV, and improvements to the property can increase the TV more than the rate of inflation. TV cannot exceed the SEV for the property.
Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)
The PRE removes the school operating tax from your bill. On the tax bill or assessment change notice, the exemption is illustrated by a 100.00% if you are eligible or a 0.00% if you are not. You must file a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) Affidavit (Form 2368) with the Assessor’s office to claim the PRE. If you own and occupy a home as your principal residence by November 1st, you are entitled to a PRE for the current tax year and all subsequent tax levies (as long as the property remains your principal residence). PRE does not affect the summer tax levy in Williamstown Township because we do not collect for schools in the summer.
Five different ways to pay your property taxes:
If possible, pay with a check rather than cash, and write your parcel number on your check for maximum safety. Your parcel number is the long number that begins with 33-03, and it is unique to your property. It is printed on your tax bill and tax receipt. Bring or mail in the stub from the top of your bill when paying. Pay the exact amount that you owe because overpayments and underpayments cause delay.
If a bank or mortgage company pays your taxes, we will mail a receipt to you only if you call to request one, or you can click on the “Online Property Tax Information” link to print your own.
Summer taxes are due on September 14. The law requires that one percent interest be charged for every month or portion of a month that they are overdue. If you have a bill from an earlier month, that amount will no longer be accurate. You can call our office at 655-3193 to find out the amount due in the month that you are paying.
The law also requires a three percent penalty for Summer property taxes that are paid after February 14. Each year on March 1, any unpaid real (residential) property taxes must be turned over to the Ingham County Treasurer for collection, and additional fees are assessed. The county treasurer will eventually begin foreclosure proceedings on properties with unpaid taxes.
Real and personal property taxes are assessed on December 31 of the previous year. If you own a home or a business on that day, they will be assessed to you. If you sell your home or business during the following year, you are still responsible for paying the bill. It is a common practice to negotiate with the buyer to pay you the amount of taxes for the portion of the year that the buyer will own the home or business.
Receipts for property tax payments can be requested at the time taxes are paid by checking the box on the lower part of the tax bill and returning it with the payment. Duplicate receipts for property tax payments are also available from the Treasurer’s office or by following the link on the website.
This handy chart will show you how much of your taxes goes to each taxing authority. Just click the link below to see the full page chart.