BOARD OF REVIEW

The Board of Review consists of three (3) or six (6) city residents appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The members are appointed to a two (2) year term that is subject to term limits.

Current Members:

J. Mike Henry
Dan Mezak, Alternate
Ben Johnson
Steve Miles

If you have any questions, or are interested in serving on the Board of Review please call (616) 637-0745.

March Board of Review
The March Board of Review holds its organizational meeting each year on the Tuesday following the first Monday in March in the council chambers at South Haven City Hall. The purpose of the organizational meeting is for the Board of Review to receive the current assessment roll from the Assessor and begin examining the roll.

During the organizational meeting, the Board of Review elects a chairperson and a Secretary to the Board for the current year. The Board of Review shall review the current roll according to the facts existing on tax day and make changes to the roll as deemed appropriate on a case by case basis.

The March Board of Review meets a minimum of three (3) days beginning on the second Monday in March each year to hear assessment appeals from property owners in an informal review process. The appeals are heard in the council chambers at South Haven City Hall.

Typically, on two (2) of the days, appeals are heard from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. One (1) day, on a Friday, appeals are heard from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Two of the three board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the board. The Assessor or staff is present during the appeals for clarification of questions, but has no vote on any appeal.

Additional sessions may be scheduled by the board if deemed necessary. Appeals may be made by appointment or walk-in, in person or by an authorized representative; or by mail if received prior to adjournment of the final session for hearings. Walk-ins will be seen if time allows between scheduled appointments.

The March Board of Review has the authority to review the current year following types of appeals: assessed value; tentative taxable value; poverty exemptions under MCL 211.7u; Assessor denial of the continuation of a Qualified Agricultural Property Exemption; and the assessment classification. The Board of Review shall review the roll according to facts existing on tax day of the preceding December 31st.

July Board of Review
The July Board of Review meets on the Tuesday following the third Monday in July. This meeting of the board is convened by the assessor to correct a clerical error or mutual mistake of fact. No valuation appeals are heard at this meeting.

An owner of a property that is eligible “homestead” or is eligible “qualified” agricultural property on May 1 may appeal to the July Board of Review for the current year and the immediately preceding year if the exemption was not on the tax roll.

PA 74 of 1995 authorizes the July Board of Review to process requests for current year poverty exemptions, but not for poverty exemptions already denied by the March Board of Review.

An owner of a property may appeal the rescission by assessor of a homestead exemption to the July Board of Review in either the year for which the exemption is rescinded or in the immediately succeeding year.

December Board of Review
The December Board of Review meets on the Tuesday following the second Monday in December. This meeting of the board is convened by the assessor to correct a clerical error or mutual mistake of fact. No valuation appeals are heard at this meeting.

An owner of a property that is eligible “homestead” or is eligible “qualified” agricultural property on May 1 may appeal to the December Board of Review for the current year and the immediately preceding year if the exemption was not on the tax roll.

PA 74 of 1995 authorizes the December Board of Review to process requests for current year poverty exemptions, but not for poverty exemptions already denied by the March Board of Review.

An owner of a property may appeal the rescission by assessor of a homestead exemption to the December Board of Review in either the year for which the exemption is rescinded or in the immediately succeeding year.

Tax Tribunal
Any action by the March Board of Review may be further appealed and made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, 1033 S. Washington Ave., P.O. Box 30232, Lansing MI 48909. The final date for filing such an appeal is June 30 of the current year. Only a property classification appeal may be filed with the State Tax Commission, P.O. Box 30471, Lansing MI 48909-7971. Starting in 1997, the final date for filing a classification appeal is June 30 of the current year.

An action by the July or December Board of Review on a denial by assessor for current year qualified agricultural property exemption, qualified agricultural property exemption which was not on the previous roll and/or current roll, or rescission by assessor of homestead exemption on the previous roll and/or current roll may be appealed within 35 days of the decision to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

An action by the July or December Board of Review for homestead exemption for the previous and/or current tax roll may be appealed within 35 days of the decision to Homestead Section/Hearings, Michigan Department of Treasury, P.O. Box 30698, Lansing MI 48909-8198. A further appeal may be made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 35 days of the decision by Treasury Department.

A denial by assessor of the homestead exemption for current year may be appealed within 35 days to the Homestead Section/Hearings, Michigan Department of Treasury. A further appeal may be made within 35 days of the decision by the Treasury Department to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

A Treasury denial of homestead exemption may be appealed within 35 days of receipt of the notice of denial to Treasury Department. A further appeal may be made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 35 days of a decision by Treasury Department.

General Requirements
Pursuant to Act. No. 266 of the Public Acts of 1976, all meetings are open to the public.

Appeal Addresses
Michigan Tax Tribunal
1033 S. Washington Ave
P.O. Box 30232
Lansing, MI 48909

State Tax Commission
P.O. Box 30471
Lansing, MI 48909-7971

Homestead Section/Hearings
Michigan Department of Treasury
P.O. Box 30698
Lansing, MI 48909-8198