Property & Tax Services
Complete information about property taxes, exemptions, appeals, and special assessments in Colfax Township. Find payment due dates, online payment options, assessor contact information, available tax exemptions including Principal Residence and Poverty exemptions, and details about the Board of Review appeal process. Access assessment analysis documents and learn about special assessment projects affecting township properties.
Property Tax Overview
Property taxes are collected with two annual billings. The first bill is mailed out July 1st and is due on September 14th. The second bill is mailed out December 1st and is due by February 14th of the following year. After March 1st each year, unpaid property taxes are turned over to the County Treasurer's office.
Important Dates
- July 1: First tax bill mailed
- September 14: First bill due
- December 1: Second tax bill mailed
- February 14: Second bill due
- March 1: Unpaid taxes turned over to County
Tax Payment & Collection
Property taxes can be mailed to the Township Treasurer at the following address:
PO Box 182Walkerville MI 49459
The township treasurer is responsible for the collection of taxes during the current tax season.
You can now pay your taxes conveniently online or by phone. Call 231-923-4099 to pay by phone (debit cards only for phone payments).
Pay Taxes OnlineAssessor Information
The Assessor is responsible for the valuation of property each year in accordance with State Laws. If you have a question about how your tax amount was determined, eligibility for exemptions, or land divisions please contact the Assessor. To see if your payment has been received, please contact the treasurer.
All Property Transfer affidavits, Exemption applications, and Board of Review petitions should be sent to the Assessor's office either by email or mail.
Barbie Eaton, MAAO
3710 W Hawley Rd
Ludington MI 49431
Phone: 888-714-9288
Email: barbie.eaton@gmail.com
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am to 3pm
Assessment Documents
Assessing Information
To view your assessing information online, use the link below. It is free to view your own properties, but there is a fee to view property details for others.
View Assessing InformationTax Exemptions
There are exemptions available on property taxes for various reasons. The most common are outlined below.
Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)
In the State of Michigan you are exempt from paying the School operating millage on your primary residence. (This exemption was previously known as the Homestead Exemption.) To obtain the PRE you must file the PRE affidavit with your Assessor. You must be a Michigan resident and be able to prove this property is your primary residence. If you move your primary residence you must inform your Assessor by filing a Request to Rescind PRE.
Qualified Forest Exemption
If you own more than 20 acres of wooded land you may be eligible for the Qualified Forest Exemption. This exemption is applied for and granted by the Michigan Department of Ag and Rural Development.
Poverty Exemption
Colfax Township does have a Poverty Exemption for low income residents. The Poverty Exemption is a State Law that is enforced by the local unit of government. You may only apply for the exemption on your primary residence and you must meet the Township's asset and income guidelines.
Disabled Veteran Exemption
If you are a veteran with a service connected disability and you meet at least one of the following criteria, you could be eligible for a tax exemption. You must be considered to be 100% disabled, unemployable (due to disability), or have specially modified housing. This exemption is only available for residents of the State of Michigan on their primary residence (no additional property or second homes are allowed). This exemption must be applied for EVERY year.
Board of Review
The purpose of the Board of Review (BOR) is to help ensure the equitable valuation of property in the Township. The board is comprised of three members and one alternate member. Each member and alternate must be an elector of the township and at least 2/3 must be property owners. The BOR meets three times per year for two separate functions.
March Board of Review
The first meeting each year is held the second week of March and includes two days of meetings, totaling 12 hours. During these hours property owners, or their agents, can petition the Assessed Value, Taxable Value, and/or Property Classification of their property for the current year only. Property owners are allowed to petition via mail, email, or in person at the meeting. A petition form and supporting documentation is required for each parcel being protested. Each petitioner will receive written notice of the Board's decision by June 1st of that year. If you disagree with the Board's decision you may appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.
2026 Meeting Schedule
2026 Board of Review meeting dates to be announced. Check back for updates or contact the assessor for more information.
Michigan Tax Tribunal
If you disagree with the decision of the Board of Review you may appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal (MTT). The MTT requires you to fill out their petition form which can be found on their website: https://www.michigan.gov/taxtrib
- Commercial & Industrial properties must appeal by May 31st each year. Commercial and Industrial parcels are not required to petition to the March Board of Review.
- Residential & Agricultural properties must appeal by July 31st each year. For Residential & Agricultural properties you must first petition at the March Board of Review.
Special Assessments
Ruth Drive Special Assessment
In the Fall of 2022 Ruth Drive was rebuilt and repaved by the Oceana County Road Commission. To pay for this road work Colfax Township levied a 15 year special assessment on parcels that have frontage on Ruth Drive. These payments will be levied on each winter tax bill through December 2036.
Special Assessment Payments
The special assessment is only levied on the winter tax bill each year. If the special assessment or any portion of the property tax bill is not paid, the property can be foreclosed on after a certain period of time. The special assessment does include interest on the principal amount.
2022-2026
- 2022: $286.46
- 2023: $376.55
- 2024: $366.39
- 2025: $356.24
- 2026: $346.09
2027-2031
- 2027: $335.94
- 2028: $325.79
- 2029: $315.64
- 2030: $305.49
- 2031: $295.34
2032-2036
- 2032: $285.19
- 2033: $275.04
- 2034: $264.88
- 2035: $254.73
- 2036: $244.58
Average Annual Payment: $308.96
Early Payment
If you would like to payoff your assessment early please contact the Assessor's office for the amount. Payoff checks will be made out to Colfax Township and should include the parcel number in the memo line.
They can be mailed to:
Colfax Township TreasurerPO Box 182
Walkerville MI 49459