How to Pay Your Detroit Property Tax and What Happens If You Don't
Where Detroit Property Tax Payments Go and How to Send Them
Detroit property taxes are collected by the City of Detroit Assessor's Office and the Wayne County Treasurer. You pay the Wayne County Treasurer, not the city directly. Payments can be made online through the county's website, by mail to the Wayne County Treasurer's Office, in person at their downtown Detroit office, or through an automatic bank transfer called an ACH debit.
Your property tax bill arrives in two installments each year: one due around July 31 and one due around December 31. The exact dates depend on when your bill is mailed. If you own property in Detroit, you should receive a bill in the mail; if you do not receive one, contact the Wayne County Treasurer's Office at 313-224-5990 to confirm your mailing address is correct.
Online payment through the Wayne County website is the fastest route and shows confirmation immediately. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the office and post to your account. If you pay by mail, send your check or money order to the address printed on your bill, and keep a copy of the bill as proof of what you sent.
Key Takeaways
- Detroit property taxes are paid to the Wayne County Treasurer in two installments per year, typically due in late July and late December.
- You can pay online, by mail, in person, or through automatic bank transfer, and online payment shows confirmation within minutes.
- If you miss a payment, the county adds a penalty and interest, and after two years of non-payment the property can be sold at a county tax foreclosure auction.
- The Homestead Property Tax Credit and the Home Heating Credit are state programs that reduce what you owe if your household income is below a certain level.
- If you cannot pay in full, contact the Wayne County Treasurer about a payment plan before the bill becomes delinquent.
What Happens When a Payment Is Late
A Detroit property tax payment is considered late if it arrives after the due date printed on your bill. The Wayne County Treasurer adds a penalty to your account immediately—typically 3 percent of the amount owed—plus interest that accrues monthly at a rate set by the state. The interest rate changes each year; for 2024 it is 7.5 percent per year, but this varies by year.
If you are 30 days late, the county may send you a notice. If you are 60 days late, a second notice usually follows. These notices tell you how much you now owe including penalty and interest. If you pay within 30 days of the first notice, you can sometimes avoid additional collection costs, but the penalty and interest already added do not go away.
After two years of non-payment on a property, the Wayne County Treasurer can place the property in the tax foreclosure process. This means the county will sell your property at a public auction to recover the unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. Once a property enters foreclosure, you have limited time to stop the sale by paying everything owed in full.
Payment Plans and Hardship Options
If you cannot pay your full property tax bill by the due date, contact the Wayne County Treasurer's Office before the bill becomes delinquent. The office can sometimes arrange a payment plan that lets you pay in installments over several months instead of one lump sum. Payment plans are not automatic—you must request one, and approval depends on the amount owed and your circumstances.
To request a payment plan, call the Wayne County Treasurer at 313-224-5990 or visit their office in person. Have your property tax bill and account number ready. Explain why you cannot pay in full and what amount you can pay each month. The office will tell you whether a plan is possible and what the terms are.
If you are approved for a payment plan, make sure you understand the new due dates and amounts. Missing a payment on a plan can end the agreement and return your account to delinquent status, so set a reminder for each payment date.
State Tax Credits That Reduce What You Owe
Michigan offers two state programs that can lower your property tax bill if your household income is below a certain threshold. The Homestead Property Tax Credit is a state income tax credit that reduces your state taxes owed; the refund can be substantial if your income is low and your property taxes are high. The Home Heating Credit is a separate program that helps with heating costs for renters and homeowners.
Both programs are claimed on your Michigan state income tax return, not paid directly to the county. You must file a Michigan tax return to receive them, even if you do not owe state income tax. The income limits and credit amounts change each year. For the most current information, visit the Michigan Department of Treasury website or call 517-373-3200.
If you do not file taxes yourself, a tax preparation service or community organization can help you file to claim these credits. Some nonprofits in Detroit offer free tax preparation for low-income households; contact 211 Michigan (dial 211 or visit 211michigan.org) to find a location near you.
How to Check Your Payment Status and Account Balance
You can check whether your payment has been received and posted by logging into the Wayne County Treasurer's online portal or calling 313-224-5990. Have your property address or parcel number ready. The phone line can tell you your current balance, the due date of your next installment, and whether any penalties or interest have been added.
If you paid by mail and want to confirm receipt, wait at least 10 business days after mailing, then call or check online. If the payment does not show up after 10 days, contact the office to ask whether it arrived. If it did arrive but has not posted yet, ask when you can expect to see it on your account.
Keep copies of all payment confirmations—whether from online receipts, bank statements, or cancelled checks—for your records. If a dispute arises about whether you paid, these documents prove you did.
Automatic Payment Setup Through ACH Debit
An ACH debit is an automatic transfer from your bank account to the Wayne County Treasurer on a date you choose. This method removes the risk of forgetting a due date and eliminates mail delays. To set up ACH payments, contact the Wayne County Treasurer's Office and ask for the ACH authorization form.
You will need to provide your bank account number, routing number, and the amount you want transferred. You can set up a one-time payment or recurring payments for each installment. Once the form is submitted and processed, the transfer happens automatically on the date you specify.
ACH payments typically post within one to two business days. If you need to cancel or change an ACH payment, contact the Treasurer's Office at least three business days before the scheduled transfer date.
What to Do If You Receive a Tax Foreclosure Notice
If your property has not been paid for two years, the Wayne County Treasurer will send you a tax foreclosure notice. This notice tells you that your property will be sold at a public auction unless you pay all back taxes, penalties, interest, and foreclosure costs in full by a specific deadline. The deadline is usually 6 months from the date of the notice, but read your notice carefully to confirm.
If you receive a foreclosure notice, your options are limited. You can pay everything owed in full to stop the sale, or you can contact a housing counselor or attorney to discuss whether other options exist. Some nonprofits in Detroit offer free housing counseling; call 211 Michigan to find one. An attorney can review your situation and tell you whether you have any legal defenses, though legal help usually costs money.
Do not ignore a foreclosure notice. If you do not pay or take action by the deadline, your property will be sold at auction and you will lose ownership. After the sale, you may still owe any difference between what the property sold for and what you owed, depending on Michigan law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Detroit property taxes online with a credit card?
The Wayne County Treasurer's online payment system accepts bank transfers and ACH debits, but not credit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to use a third-party payment processor, which typically charges a fee. Check the Treasurer's website to see if third-party options are listed, or call 313-224-5990 to ask.
What if I own property in Detroit but live out of state?
You still owe Detroit property taxes and must pay them to the Wayne County Treasurer by the same due dates as local residents. Set up online or ACH payments so you do not miss a deadline. If you have a property manager or real estate agent, ask them to help track the due dates and make sure payments are sent on time.
Do I have to pay property taxes if I am behind on my mortgage?
Yes. Property taxes and mortgage payments are separate obligations. If you fall behind on your mortgage, the lender may eventually pay your property taxes to protect their interest in the property, but you will owe them back. It is better to contact both your lender and the Wayne County Treasurer to discuss payment options before you fall behind on either.
Can the county take my house for unpaid property taxes even if I own it outright?
Yes. If you own your home free and clear with no mortgage, unpaid property taxes can still lead to tax foreclosure and the sale of your property. The county's right to collect taxes is separate from any mortgage lender's rights. This is why it is important to pay property taxes on time, even if you have no mortgage.
What if I think my property tax assessment is too high?
You can file a formal appeal with the Detroit Assessor's Office. The process and deadline depend on when you received your assessment. Contact the Detroit Assessor's Office at 313-628-2451 to ask about your options and the current deadline for filing an appeal. Appealing your assessment does not stop you from having to pay your current bill on time.