Treasurer Department FAQ’s
Winter & Summer tax bills are currently billed and payable to:
Clayton Township
2011 S. Morrish Rd
Swartz Creek, MI 48473
Tax bills are generally mailed out the first of July and the first of December. If you have not received your tax bill by the end of the first week of the month, please contact the township and we will be happy to mail, fax or have ready a copy of your tax bill.
Tax bills are mailed to the owner of each property and should be forwarded to your escrow account handler. In some cases, tax servicing companies and mortgage companies submit a request on behalf of all the properties they service and obtain tax bill information from the township.
The summer bill is due by mid September of each year. After the due date, a 1% interest charge will be assessed each month beginning with September.
The winter bill is due by February 28 each year. After March 1, winter taxes are considered deliquent and are payable only to Genesee County. They are assessed a one time 4% penalty and 1% interest for each month, beginning with March. Taxes that are delinquent more than a year will have a substantially higher interest rate (1.5% instead of 1%). In addition, a $175.00 forfeiture fee will be added along with additional administrative fees. Payoff information may be obtained from the county at (810) 257-3054 or via their website at http://www.gc4me.com/departments/treasurer_s/index.php
Summer taxes may be deferred by certain individuals if they meet the criteria established by the State of Michigan. Generally speaking, this deferment is for senior citizens, farmers without other income and veterans (and/or spouses). More information can be found here.
In an effort to help control costs, the Township’s policy is to mail tax receipts only when requested. Please feel free to enclose your request for a receipt with your tax payment when mailing it into the Township, or call (810) 635-4433 and we will be happy to mail/fax you a receipt.
FAQ’s For Property Owners with Delinquent Taxes
The county treasurer adds a 4% administration fee and interest of 1% per month. After one year, the property is forfeited to the county treasurer. For example, the 2011 taxes that remain unpaid as of March 1, 2013 will be in forfeiture.
No. Forfeiture is not foreclosure. If your property is in forfeiture, you still have a year before it will be foreclosed. However, the interest and fee will be higher. When a property is forfeited, the interest rate goes from 1% per month to 1.5% per month, back to the date the taxes became delinquent. A $175 fee and other administration fees are also added.
After a property has been in forfeiture for one year, it enters the foreclosure process. Properties with 2011 delinquent taxes will be foreclosed March 31, 2014.
Foreclosure is final. You cannot get your property back after it has been foreclosed. Once the Circuit Court enters the judgement of foreclosure, redemption rights expire March 31st of the current year and the property may be sold at public auction.