Wayne County Property Tax Appeal — Michigan

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Wayne County, Michigan's most populous county, encompasses Detroit as its county seat and includes major cities like Dearborn, Livonia, and Canton. The county's effective tax rate of 1.51% is nearly double the national effective rate of 0.89%. However, the median homeowner in Wayne County pays $2,939 per year in taxes, which is less than the national median ($3,211). The median property tax in Wayne County, Michigan is $2,506 per year for a home worth the median value of $121,100. Wayne County collects, on average, 2.07% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax. Wayne County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States, and is ranked 278th of the 3143 counties in order of median property taxes.

Notable cities: Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, Canton, Westland

Median Home

$121,100

Tax Rate

2.07%

Annual Tax

$2,506

Population

1.75 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: Multiple deadlines depending on property type

February 22, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. EST for Detroit Assessor Review (optional); March 4, 2026-March 28, 2026 for March Board of Review hearings; May 31 for Michigan Tax Tribunal appeals for commercial/industrial properties

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

How Wayne County Assesses Property

50%of market value

Assessed by: Wayne County Assessment and Equalization Division

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: March

The State of Michigan Constitution requires that property be assessed at 50% of true cash value. If your home's market value is $121,100 (the county median), at Michigan's 50% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $60,550, resulting in approximately $2,506 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 2.07%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review / Michigan Tax Tribunal. The March Board of Review will consider this evidence during a hearing, where the homeowner or their representative can present their case. If the Board agrees that the assessment is too high, they may adjust the assessed value, which can lead to a reduction in the property tax bill

Step 1: Contact your local assessor's office to review your assessment and verify property record accuracy

Step 2: File an optional appeal with the Assessor Review by February 22, 2026 (Detroit residents)

Step 3: Prepare your appeal documentation including comparable sales, photos, and repair estimates

Step 4: File a formal appeal with the March Board of Review during scheduled hearing dates

Step 5: Present your case at the Board of Review hearing with supporting evidence

Step 6: If unsuccessful, file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal by May 31

Required form: Property tax appeal petition or letter of disagreement

Filing Methods

online:Online appeals can be submitted during February 1, 2026 through close of business February 22, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. EST

mail:Send a letter to Office of the Assessor, Attn: Assessor Review, 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 804, Detroit, MI 48226. Include your name, address and/or parcel number, reason for appeal with any supporting documentation, telephone number or email address

in-person:Visit the Detroit Taxpayer Service Center, Suite 130 in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Evidence to Bring

recent sales data of similar propertiesindependent appraisalphotos of property conditionrepair estimates

Wayne County Assessor Contact

Wayne County Treasurer's Office - Tax Information

Phone: (313) 224-5990

Address: 600 Randolph Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Website: https://www.waynecountymi.gov

Online Portal: https://pta.waynecounty.com

Tax Exemptions in Wayne County

Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)

up to 18 mills reduction

Homeowners (who own and occupy the home) are entitled to up to an 18-mil tax reduction by filing a Homeowners Principle Residence Exemption Affidavit with the Assessor

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as primary residenceDeadline: June 1 for summer tax bill and November 1 for winter tax bill

Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE)

100%, 50%, or 25% exemption

The Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program is a City of Detroit program that helps low-income homeowners eliminate or lower their CURRENT year property taxes. Homeowners may be granted a 100% exemption, 50% exemption, 25% exemption

Eligibility: Detroit residents who meet income guidelinesDeadline: November 6, 2026

Disabled Veterans Exemption

100% exemption

Provides an exemption from property taxes under the General Property Tax Act for a disabled veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces or for the un-remarried surviving spouse of that disabled veteran

Eligibility: Honorably discharged disabled veterans or un-remarried surviving spousesDeadline: December 31 for each year that the exemption is requested. Postmark of Dec. 30 will be accepted

Poverty Exemption

Partial or complete exemption

The State of Michigan allows those deemed to be in poverty to have a partial or complete exemption on current property taxes on your primary residence

Eligibility: Must meet poverty guidelines set by local governmentDeadline: Contact local assessor for deadline

Official Resources

Wayne County Treasurer Property Tax Portal →

Search for property tax information and pay delinquent taxes online for all Wayne County municipalities

Michigan Tax Tribunal →

File appeals for property tax assessments if unsuccessful at the local Board of Review level

Detroit Office of the Assessor →

Access assessment information, appeal forms, and exemption applications for Detroit properties

Wayne County Assessment and Equalization →

County-level assessment data and equalization information for all Wayne County municipalities

Check Your Wayne County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Wayne 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 Wayne County?

The deadline varies depending on where you live and what type of property you own. For Detroit residents, the optional Assessor Review deadline is February 22, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. EST. The March Board of Review hearing dates run from March 4, 2026 through March 28, 2026. Commercial and industrial property owners can also appeal directly to the Michigan Tax Tribunal by May 31. Missing these deadlines means waiting until the following year to appeal your assessment.

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

Online appeals can be submitted during February 1, 2026 through close of business February 22, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. EST for Detroit residents through the city's online portal. For other Wayne County municipalities, contact your local assessor's office to determine if online filing is available. You'll need to provide your property information, reason for appeal, and upload supporting documentation such as comparable sales data or photos of property condition. Not all jurisdictions in Wayne County offer online filing, so verify with your specific city or township.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Wayne County?

Homeowners who own and occupy their home are entitled to up to an 18-mil tax reduction by filing a Homeowners Principle Residence Exemption Affidavit. With the median home value of $121,100 and an effective tax rate of 2.07%, this exemption can save homeowners several hundred dollars annually. To receive this exemption, you must own and occupy your home before June 1 for the summer tax bill and before November 1 for the winter tax bill. The exact savings depend on your property's assessed value and local millage rates.

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

The March Board of Review will consider evidence during a hearing, where the homeowner or their representative can present their case. If the Board agrees that the assessment is too high, they may adjust the assessed value, which can lead to a reduction in the property tax bill. You'll typically have 5-15 minutes to present your case, so come prepared with organized documentation. Evidence can include recent sales data of similar properties, an independent appraisal, or evidence of discrepancies in the property record. The Board will notify you of their decision by mail within a few weeks.

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

Savings from a successful appeal vary significantly based on how overassessed your property is. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, and pay an average of $1,346 too much in property taxes every year. In Wayne County, where the median tax bill is $2,506, even a 10% reduction in assessed value could save homeowners approximately $250 annually. If your appeal is successful, your property will be reassessed at a lower valuation and your Wayne County property taxes will be lowered accordingly.

What evidence do I need for a Wayne County property tax appeal?

Evidence can include recent sales data of similar properties, an independent appraisal, or evidence of discrepancies in the property record. Previous appraisals, expert opinions, and appraisals for similar properties may be attached to the appeal as supporting documentation. Focus on properties sold within the last 6-12 months that are similar in size, age, and condition to yours. Photos showing property defects, repair estimates from licensed contractors, and documentation of any errors in square footage or property features are also valuable. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of a successful appeal.

Can I appeal my property taxes if I live in Detroit?

Yes, Detroit residents have additional appeal options beyond the standard Wayne County process. Recent amendments to City Ordinance have expanded who may appeal, and residents can submit their appeal by close of business, February 22, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. EST. The HOPE program helps low-income Detroit homeowners eliminate or lower their current year property taxes, with homeowners potentially granted a 100%, 50%, or 25% exemption. Detroit property owners can appeal online, in person at the Detroit Tax Service Center, or by mail to the Office of the Assessor.

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)Oakland County (Troy)

← All Michigan property tax appeal info

Sources: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-assessor | https://www.tax-rates.org/michigan/wayne_county_property_tax | https://smartasset.com/taxes/michigan-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/michigan/wayne-county | https://pta.waynecounty.com

Last verified: 2026-02-15