Housing & Opportunity Matters for Everyone (H.O.M.E). There are ways to reduce both current and past due property taxes.

If you are a Detroit homeowner and applied for HPTAP/PTE (Property Tax Exemption) between July and December 2020, you should receive a Decision Letter from the Board of Review this month.  

Look for your code: 

04 = partial exemption

05 = full exemption

06 =  denied 

If denied for HPTAP/PTE, you can challenge your denial. Appeals must be submitted within 35 days. (If possible, hold on to the postmarked envelope that your decision letter came in.) Contact the Michigan State Tax Tribunal at 517-335-9760 or download the petition forms at the Tribunal website.

The HPTAP / PTE appeal process is NOT the same as the Property Assessment appeal process, which takes place between February 1 and February 22 with the City of Detroit Assessor.

If approved, and you have back taxes, consider enrolling in the PAYS program. Please contact us at 313-314-6414 for help understanding your decision letter or enrolling in PAYS.

Pay As You Stay Program (PAYS)

The PAYS Program helps Detroit homeowners reduce their back taxes owed SIGNIFICANTLY. You must be approved for HPTAP to qualify for PAYS. The Wayne County Treasurer’s Office (WCTO) will send you a letter, but you must go online or in person to officially enroll. 

You can check if you are currently eligible for PAYS by going to pta.waynecounty.com. Enter your address or parcel ID, then look for the PAYSPA button.  We recommend the one-time lump sum option in most cases. Feel free to contact us at 313-314-6414 with any questions or contact WCTO directly at (313) 224-5990. 

If you do not qualify for PAYS there are other payment plans available through Wayne County to help with past due taxes and to keep your home from going into foreclosure.

Do you want to know how to find if you owe back property taxes? Go to: https://www.waynecounty.com/elected/treasurer/ Enter in your address, click search, and click on your property. You will find out whether you owe & how much is owed.

Be on the lookout for your Notice of Assessment in late January

Why is the Notice of Assessment Important? The assessment determines, in part, the amount you will have to pay in property taxes. If you believe that your property has been assessed too high you can appeal. Make an appeal during the February Assessors Review Period, February 1st through February 22.

For more information on appealing your assessment, go to: City of Detroit - How to Appeal Your Assessment

Click here to download a copy of the Property Tax Exemption - Detroit Fact Sheet

Click here to find out what to do when you receive your decision from the Board of Review.