Assessor

If your property is inspected from 04/15/19-12/31/19 and omitted property was discovered, or items removed, you will see the adjustment on your 2020 tax bills.  If your property is inspected from 04/15/20-12/31/20 you will see the adjustment on your 2021 tax bills.  If  your property is inspected from 04/15/21-12/31/21 you will see the adjustment on your 2022 tax bills.  And so on.   Look for your notice of assessment which is mailed out every year at the end of February to see how your assessed value and taxable value is impacted.  

Due to the enormity of the project, approximately 20% of the properties will be visited each year.  If your property is visited in 2019 expect to see the results and obtain a copy of the record card by the end of February 2020 after you receive your notice of assessment.

Assessing staff are required to go into your backyard to complete the inspection. They will first knock at the door; if there is no answer they will begin to measure the front of the house/building and make their way around to the back of the property.

NO. Assessing staff do not need to be inside your home during THIS inspection. Everything we need to see will be reviewed on an exterior basis only. The assessing staff may have questions about the interior, so please cooperate as much as possible. If a card is left, please call our office.

The assessing staff will have clearly marked city-issued identification badges. They will typically be carrying a clipboard and tape measure. If further identification is needed please don't hesitate to call the Assessing Department at (989) 463-9514 to verify their identification.

Though you may not have made any changes to the property since you purchased it, our records may still require updating. Some properties have not been visited since they were originally built.

It is commonly believed if a porch and/or deck are not touching the home, it cannot be taxed. This is complete misconception. All structures need to be properly inspected and noted on the record card. A determination will be made as to whether they are contributing to the overall value and therefore included in the assessment.

General maintenance items such as new gutters, roof, windows, etc. are not assessable items. The lead contributors to an increased assessment include but are not limited to: discovery of air conditioning, decks, porches, patios, sheds, additions, garages, carports and barns.

No. This inspection will in no way affect your Principal Residence Exemption.

Every year at the end of February a notice of assessment is mailed to every property in the City of St. Louis. Once it is received please review the information provided. A list of dates and times to protest at the local March Board of Review is included. Failure to receive the notice does not invalidate the assessed and taxable values. Please call our office by the end of February if you have not received your notice of assessment. The March Board of Review is the only time a taxpayer can appeal their residential home value. If it is missed the taxpayer forfeits their rights to appeal their values at the Michigan Tax Tribunal.