Preventing Tax Foreclosure
After the March 1st tax delinquency date, all property taxes are transferred to Wayne County for collection and can no longer be paid at the local level. The Wayne County Treasurer's Office provides many forms of assistance to distressed property owners who are unable to pay their property taxes by the due date. The County's
Tax Foreclosure Prevention Guide offers important information on how to act early to save your property. Please visit their
website or contact the Wayne County Treasurer's Office at
313-224-5990 for more information.
Tax Foreclosure ProcessTax foreclosure is governed by state law of Michigan, has a very strict set of rules for the collection of delinquent property taxes, and puts the responsibility for collecting back taxes in the County Treasurer's hands. Poverty exemptions, hardship extensions or payment plans may be available, but only if you contact the Wayne County Treasurer's Office as soon as possible.
The law involves a three-year process that can result in you losing your property! Understanding the process is the best way to stop this from happening.
Delinquent Property Tax TimelineCurrent Year
- January 1 - December 31: During this time, your property taxes are made payable to your local city, village or township government.
First Year of Delinquency
- March 1: On March 1, your taxes officially become "delinquent" and due to the Wayne County Treasurer's Office.
- October 1: A fee is added to your delinquency.
- November 1: Your property is added to preliminary forfeiture list.
Second Year of Delinquency
- February 1: Mortgage lenders and banks may be notified of the delinquency.
- March 1: Your property is forfeited, not foreclosed, to the Treasurer.
- May 1: A foreclosure petition is filed in Circuit Court.
- June 1 - January 31: All owners and lien-holders are identified and contacted through title research, and personal visits are made to taxpayers.
Third Year of Delinquency
- January: Show cause hearings are held, giving taxpayers a chance to appeal foreclosure.
- February: Circuit Court hearing is held, Foreclosure Order signed by the judge.
- March 31: Taxpayers lose all interest in their property.
- August: Tax foreclosed properties are offered at auction to recover back taxes, interest and penalties.
