Important Information for Property Owners

Public Act 123 of 1999 shortens the amount of time property owners have to pay their delinquent taxes before losing their property.  Property owners with taxes that are two years delinquent will be foreclosed and the property sold at public auction.  For example, people who fail to pay their 2010 delinquent property taxes will lose their property to Foreclosure on March 31, 2013.

With this new act, the amount of time to pay taxes has been reduced from approximately five years to approximately two years.

Property owners face higher interest and fees for not paying their taxes. Taxes that are delinquent for more than one year will have a substantially higher interest rate (1.5% per month as opposed to the current 1%). After one year, taxes will have a $175 Forfeiture Fee and additional administrative fees added to them. On March 1st a $45 DNR Inspection Fee and additional recording fees are added. A $10 fee to record the Forfeiture Certificate with the Register of Deeds and a $10 fee to record the Redemption Certificate; if a second page is required, an additional $3 per page.  On December 1st a $50 Publication/Notice Fee is also added.

Foreclosure FAQ'S

Property Foreclosure Timelines

2010 PROPERTY TAXES

July / December 2010: 2010 property taxes are billed by city/township/village treasurer.
March 1, 2011: Unpaid 2010 property taxes are forwarded to the County Treasurer for collection. A 4% administration fee and 1% per month interest is added to each parcel.
October 1, 2011: The County Treasurer adds a $15 Statutory Fee to each parcel.
March 1, 2012: Property is Forfeited to the County Treasurer. The County Treasurer adds a $175 Forfeiture Fee and a $45 DNR Inspection Fee. Interest increases from 1% per month to 1.5% per month, back to the date the taxes became delinquent.

December 1, 2012: The County Treasurer adds a $50 Publication/Notice Fee. 
February 1 - 28, 2013: Circuit Court enters a Judgment of Foreclosure.

March 31, 2013: Clear title to the property passes to the State.
July / November 2013: Property is sold at public auction.

2011 PROPERTY TAXES

July / December 2011: 2011 property taxes are billed by city/township/village treasurer.
March 1, 2012: Unpaid 2011 property taxes are forwarded to the County Treasurer for collection. A 4% administration fee and 1% per month interest is added to each parcel.
October 1, 2012: The County Treasurer adds a $15 Statutory Fee to each parcel.
March 1, 2013: Property is Forfeited to the County Treasurer. The County Treasurer adds a $175 Forfeiture Fee and a $45 DNR Inspection Fee. Interest increases from 1% per month to 1.5% per month, back to the date the taxes became delinquent.

December 1, 2013: The County Treasurer adds a $50 Publication/Notice Fee. 
February 1 - 28, 2014: Circuit Court enters a Judgment of Foreclosure.

March 31, 2014: Clear title to the property passes to the State.
July / November 2014: Property is sold at public auction.