Oakland County Property Tax Appeal — Michigan

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Oakland County, Michigan, comprises 62 incorporated municipalities including 31 cities, 10 villages, and 21 townships, with average home values at $308,600 and a median household wage of $100,469. The county's median effective property tax rate of 1.37% is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, resulting in a median annual tax bill of $3,833, which is $1,433 higher than the national median of $2,400. Property records in Oakland County provide transparency into real estate transactions and ownership, typically containing information on property legal description, tax assessment, sales history, liens, and plat maps.

Notable cities: Troy, Southfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Waterford, Royal Oak, Birmingham

Median Home

$308,600

Tax Rate

1.37%

Annual Tax

$3,833

Population

1.27 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: May 31, 2026 for commercial/industrial properties appealing directly to Michigan Tax Tribunal

Residential property owners must first appeal to the March Board of Review, which typically meets the Tuesday following the first Monday in March. If not satisfied with the March Board of Review decision, you can then appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Commercial and Industrial Real properties can appeal directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal on or before May 31st without appearing at the March Board of Review.

Property in Oakland County, Michigan — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Oakland County Assesses Property

50%of market value

Assessed by: Oakland County Equalization Division

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: February

The Michigan Constitution requires that property be uniformly assessed and not exceed 50% of the usual selling price, often referred to as True Cash Value. Assessed value is determined based on the property's condition on December 31 of the previous year and is calculated using an assessment ratio set by the State Legislature. Currently, the assessment ratio applicable for real estate property in Oakland County is 50%. If your home's market value is $308,600, at Michigan's 50% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $154,300, resulting in approximately $4,224 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.37%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review / Michigan Tax Tribunal. The Board of Review meetings are open to the public in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. You will need to present evidence supporting your property value opinion.

Step 1: Contact your local Assessor to discuss your property's valuation

Step 2: Make an appointment for the March Board of Review if you're not satisfied with the assessor's response

Step 3: Prepare evidence showing the assessment is incorrect - gather comparable sales, photos, or hire a professional appraiser

Step 4: Attend your scheduled Board of Review hearing (in person or by letter for non-residents)

Step 5: Receive written notification of the Board's decision no later than the first Monday in June

Step 6: If unsatisfied with the Board of Review decision, file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal

Required form: Letter of disagreement or formal appeal petition

Filing Methods

in-person:Schedule an appointment with your local assessor to appeal in person

mail:Non-resident property owners can appeal by letter

online:Check with your local township/city for online options

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales in your neighborhoodProfessional appraisalPhotos of property conditionRepair estimates

Oakland County Assessor Contact

Oakland County Equalization Office

Phone: (248) 858-0740

Address: 250 Elizabeth Lake Road, Oakland Pointe Office Bldg., Pontiac, Michigan 48341

Website: https://www.oakgov.com/government/management-budget/equalization

Online Portal: https://bsaonline.com/?uid=525

Tax Exemptions in Oakland County

Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)

Exempts up to 18 mills of school operating millage

A property tax exemption for individuals that own and occupy a property as their principal residence, exempting them from a portion of local school operating taxes

Eligibility: Must own and occupy your home as principal residenceDeadline: June 1 for summer tax levy; November 1 for winter tax levy

Disabled Veterans Exemption

Varies based on disability rating

A property tax exemption for real property owned and used as a homestead by a disabled veteran or the disabled veteran's un-remarried, surviving spouse

Eligibility: Military veterans with service connected disabilitiesDeadline: Contact local assessor for deadlines

Poverty/Hardship Exemption

Varies based on Board of Review decision

A method to provide relief for those who, in the judgment of the Board of Review, are unable to fully contribute to the annual property tax burden of their principal residence due to their financial status

Eligibility: Persons who, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute to the public chargesDeadline: Must be filed and approved by your local Board of Review on a yearly basis

Senior Citizen Summer Tax Deferment

Defers penalty on summer taxes

Allows qualified seniors to pay summer taxes without penalty until February 14th

Eligibility: Income limitation per household appliesDeadline: Must be filed by summer tax due date

Official Resources

Oakland County Equalization Division →

Official county equalization office website with forms, FAQs, and local assessing office directory

Oakland County Property Search Portal →

Search property records, view tax information, and access assessment data for properties in Oakland County

Michigan Tax Tribunal →

State-level appeals board for property tax disputes, with forms and filing instructions

Oakland County Treasurer's Office →

Information on property tax payments, delinquent taxes, and foreclosure prevention assistance

Check Your Oakland County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Oakland County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Oakland County?

For residential properties, you must first appeal to the March Board of Review, which typically meets the Tuesday following the first Monday in March. Commercial and industrial property owners can appeal directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal with a written petition that must be filed on or before May 31, 2026. Non-resident property owners can appeal by letter to the March Board of Review. Some local cities, villages, and townships will allow letter appeals by residents as well.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Oakland County online?

While Oakland County provides online property information through their BS&A portal at https://bsaonline.com, property tax appeals typically cannot be filed completely online. You must contact your local assessor to discuss your property's valuation and schedule an appointment for the March Board of Review if needed. You can access property records and tax information online, but the actual appeal process requires either an in-person appearance or a written letter submitted to your local Board of Review.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Oakland County?

The Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) in Oakland County exempts qualifying homeowners from up to 18 mills of school operating millage. To qualify, you must own and occupy your home as your principal residence and file a PRE Affidavit with your city or township by June 1 for the summer tax levy or by November 1 for the winter tax levy. This exemption can save homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually depending on their property's taxable value.

What happens at a Board of Review hearing in Oakland County?

Board of Review meetings in Oakland County are open to the public in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. During your hearing, you must provide evidence showing the assessment placed upon your property is incorrect and be prepared to answer questions about what you think the property is worth and what you're basing your opinion on. Evidence can include comparable sales in your neighborhood, a professional appraisal, photos of property condition, or repair estimates. You'll receive written notification of the Board's decision no later than the first Monday in June.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Oakland County?

With Oakland County's median effective property tax rate of 1.37% and a median annual tax bill of $3,833, even a modest reduction in your assessed value can result in significant savings. For example, if your appeal successfully reduces your property's assessed value by $20,000, you could save approximately $274 annually at the median tax rate. However, per state law, the sale price of a property cannot be the sole determining factor of the assessment, so you'll need strong comparable evidence. The amount saved depends on your specific property value and the strength of your appeal evidence.

What evidence do I need for an Oakland County property tax appeal?

The Oakland County Board of Review requires evidence showing the assessment placed upon your property is incorrect, and you must be able to answer what you think the property is worth and what you're basing your opinion on. All assessments are based on sales of similar properties, so you can hire a professional appraiser or look at sales in your neighborhood to compare them to your home. Note that mortgage appraisals may not show True Cash Value and cannot be the sole evidence. Additional evidence can include photos showing property conditions, contractor estimates for needed repairs, or documentation of any factors that negatively impact your property value.

Can I still file a property tax appeal if I miss the March Board of Review deadline?

If you're not satisfied with the March Board of Review decision or missed the deadline, you can appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, which has specific filing deadlines and requirements. For commercial and industrial properties, appeals must be filed with the Michigan Tax Tribunal on or before May 31st. Some exemptions allow late filing directly with the March Board of Review for consideration if you miss the February 20th deadline. It's important to act quickly and contact your local assessor to understand your remaining options.

Do I have to appear in person for my Oakland County property tax appeal?

By law, non-resident property owners can appeal by letter, and some local cities, villages, and townships will allow letter appeals by residents as well, though most commonly property owners appeal in person. If you or your agent plan to appeal in person, you will need to schedule an appointment. Commercial and industrial property owners are not required to attend the March Board of Review and can appeal directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Check with your specific township or city to confirm whether they accept written appeals from residents.

For state-wide appeal information including Michigan's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Michigan Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Michigan Counties

Kent County (Grand Rapids)Macomb County (Warren)Wayne County (Detroit)

← All Michigan property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.oakgov.com/government/management-budget/equalization/faq | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/michigan/oakland-county | https://oaklandhttps://-county.com/government/oakland-county-treasurer-s-office/property-taxes | https://michigan.propertychecker.com/oakland-county | https://oaklandtwpmi.gov/departments/treasurer/

Last verified: 2026-02-15