Columbia Township Assessor:

Dara Hood

PO Box 68

Caro, MI  48723

(989) 325-0985

The property tax is based on two elements; the value of the property, and the millage rate at which the values are taxed. The value of the property is determined through the assessing process. Millage rates are determined by authorized government units and voter approved millages. Property taxes are charges to taxpayers for the cost of governmental programs and services that benefit the general public and to finance public improvements, such a road projects.

All taxable property within a township must be annually assessed by the township supervisor or other assessor (MCL 211.10) who is certified as qualified by the State Assessors Board. (MCL 211.10d)

The assessor presents the roll to the board of review by the Tuesday following the first Monday in March. The assessor must also send notices of assessment changes to property owners at least 10 days before the Tuesday following the first Monday in March. These are changes that will show up in the summer and winter tax bills in that year. If there are no changes in value for the upcoming year, the property owner will not receive an assessment change notice.

The board of review meets in March and examines and adjusts the property values on the assessment roll as necessary and appropriate. Taxpayers who want to appeal their assessment must first go to the board of review in March. If they are denied an adjustment, they may then appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

The assessor must deliver the certified tax roll to the treasurer by July 1 for the summer tax collection and by December 1 for the winter tax collection.