City of 
                                     
                                   Michigan    

            A Zoned Community

                        At the of the
            Red Arrow Corridor

• Clerk
• City Manager
• Police
• Public Works
• Treasurer
• Waste Water
• Building

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City Treasurer
Hartford, Michigan
(Click on any underlined link for more information)
 

     Linda Gray, City Treasurer

Telephone No: (269) 621-2477
Fax No:  (269) 621-2054

Click here to send me an email.

The City of Hartford Treasurer accepts payment for property taxes, water and
sewer bills, building, mechanical and electrical permits; as well as any other
fees incurred from the day-to-day
running of the city.  Please see the collection procedures, to make
payments to the city.
 

Click here to view  the City’s Management Discussion and Analysis.  Complete Financial Reports available below.

Complete Financial Reports
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Download Adobe Reader FREE from www.adobe.com)
          2007  
          2006 
          2005
          2004

Tax Information
In addition to being the city accountant, the treasurer
is responsible for the collection and distribution of all
property taxes paid by residents of the City of Hartford.
         (Click on any underlined link below for more information)

   ► Property Tax
   ► Property Tax Search
   ► Personal Property Tax
   ► Collection Procedures
   ► Delinquent Taxes
        ▪ Real Property Tax
        ▪ Personal Property Tax
   ► Deferring Taxes
   ► Board of Review

Hardship Exemption

Homeowner's Principal Residence Exemption

Frequently Asked Questions
 

• Property taxes are based on the Taxable Value of your property multiplied by the millage rates set by the various taxing units.  These units include state, school, county, and city.

• Tax statements are sent out twice a year.  July 1st, the Summer Tax statements are issued and will become a lien on your property.  The summer taxes are due and payable without penalty until the last business day in September.

• On December 1st, the Winter Tax Statements are issued and becomes a lien on your property.  The winter taxes are due and payable without penalty until the last business day in February.

• On March 1st, delinquent (unpaid) taxes are turned over to the Van Buren County Treasurer.  All payments made after March 1st, must be paid to the Van Buren County Treasurer.  Additional information for Delinquent Real Property Taxes is available.

• To estimate your yearly property taxes, click here to go to the State of Michigan website.

• The City of Hartford will accept partial payment of taxes until the March 1st tax deadline.

• The treasurer’s office works with mortgage companies, and tax services to ensure that your taxes are paid on time.   Mortgage companies and tax services request a copy of your tax bill, and the original bill is mailed to them.   A copy of your property tax bill is mailed to you, with Copy stamped on the bill.  This let’s the property owner know that someone has requested a copy of their tax bill.

• Click here to do a City of Hartford Property Tax Search through the Van Buren Co. Clerk's Office.
   

• Personal property taxes are assessed on property (not inventory) used to conduct a business.   Personal property taxes are issued at the same time, with the same due dates as real property taxes. 

• Delinquent personal property taxes are not sent to the county treasurer for collection.  The city treasurer is responsible for collecting all personal property taxes, current and delinquent. 

• A list of unpaid personal property taxes and additional information on Delinquent Personal Property Taxes is available.

• The City’s office is open to serve you Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.    Hours on Friday are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Payments can be made after regular office hours by utilizing our 24-hour drop box, located on the east side of City Hall.  Checks and money orders only for the drop box, please.

• The City accepts cash, checks and money orders.  No credit cards are accepted.

• Checks and money orders should be made payable to the “City of Hartford”.   Please write your telephone number and any reference numbers (Tax property number, Utility bill account number) on your check.  If a receipt is desired, you must enclose a self-addressed envelope with your check.

• Payment is posted on the date received, not the date on the check.  Postmarks are accepted.

• To pay by mail, please mail to:

City of Hartford
19 West Main Street
Hartford, Michigan 49057. 

If a receipt is desired, you must enclose a self-addressed envelope with your check.

• Checks are accepted only as a conditional payment, and payments are void if the check is not honored by your bank.  Tax is unpaid and additional interest and penalties will be applied if a check is dishonored.  The City will charge a $ 25.00 fee each time a check is returned to us.  Future payments will be applied to outstanding check charges prior to crediting your tax or utility billing account.  If you would like a copy of our non-sufficient check policy, please call City Hall.
   

• Summer taxes are payable from July 1st to September 30th here at City Hall.  Beginning October 1st a 1% interest charge per month is assessed to the summer tax bill. 

• Winter taxes are payable from December 1st to the last day of February here at City Hall.

• On March 1st, all unpaid real property summer and winter taxes are sent to the Van Buren County Treasurer’s Office for collection.  Additional penalty and interest will be added by the county.    To find the current balance on your taxes after March 1st, please call:

Van Buren County Treasurer’s Office
(269) 657-8228

• After March 1st payments may be mailed to:

Van Buren County Treasurer
219 Paw Paw Street
Suite 101
Paw Paw,  MI  49057

 Delinquent Personal Property Taxes

• The City of Hartford’s Treasurer is responsible for collecting all personal property taxes, both current and delinquent.

• Summer personal property taxes are collected from July 1st to September 30th.  Starting with October 1st, 1% per month interest is added to the tax bill until paid in full.

• Winter personal property taxes are collected from December 1st to the last business day in February.  Starting with March 1st, additional penalties and 1% per month interest is added to the tax bill until paid in full.

• In October and February unpaid notices are sent.  Additional collection measures will be used if unpaid after the above due dates.  

• The City treasurer has the obligation by law, to collect unpaid personal property taxes by several means, including court action or property seizure or both.

• We will work with all businesses to set-up a payment plan, to avoid court action or property seizure when possible.

• If you have any questions about your delinquent personal property taxes, please call the City Treasurer at (269) 621-2477.
   

      You may defer paying summer taxes on your property until the winter taxes are due without paying penalty or interest, if you have gross household income for the preceding calendar year of $ 35,000 or less, and you are in one of the five following categories:

• 62 years or older, including the unmarried surviving spouse of a person who was 62 years of age or older at the time of death.

• Paraplegic or Quadriplegic

• Eligible Serviceperson, Eligible Veteran, or Eligible Widow or Widower

• Blind Person

• Totally and Permanently Disabled.

      Your summer taxes will be deferred until Feb. 28th (when winter taxes are due) without penalty or interest.  To receive this deferment you must  file an Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes with the City Treasurer before the date summer taxes are due (September 30th).   The form is available at City Hall or download and use the online, fill-in form at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/homestead1_2541_7.pdf. 
( Adobe Reader required to view downloadable .pdf forms - available FREE at www.adobe.com )

     Winter taxes may also be deferred without paying penalty or interest, but you must have a Property Tax Credit due from the State of Michigan, and file the application with a copy of the completed Property Tax Credit State Tax Form.  Please call City Hall for details on deferment of winter taxes.
 

    The Hardship exemption is a special exemption, approved by the City Commission, for low income home-owners.  The income limits are low, and there is also an asset and expense section on the application.

Many taxpayers that are approved for this exemption are seniors with Social Security income only, or home-owners that are disabled.   To apply for the exemption, you must fill out the application (see application on-line), and appear before the March Board of Review.   You must include a current year’s income tax form, and SSA-99, W-2, or 1099 forms to prove your income.

If you think you are eligible for this exemption, please call City Hall at 269-621-2477 for more information, or to make an appointment for the March Board of Review.  The dates and times for the March Board of Review are listed on your Notice of Assessment you receive in March. 

The Hardship Exemption form is available at City Hall or click here to download the online City of Hartford - Hardship Exemption Form.  ( Adobe Reader required to view downloadable .pdf forms - available FREE at www.adobe.com )

      For further information on Michigan Hardship (proverty) Exemption from the State of Michigan website, click here http://www.michigan.gov/documents/05-1995_122687_7.pdf     
 

Homeowner's Principal Residence Exemption

The Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption Program, formerly known as the Michigan Homestead Program allows homeowners an exemption from their local School Operating Millage.  In accordance with Public Act 237 of 1994, homeowners that occupy their property as their principal residence may exempt up to 18 mills.

Normally, when you purchase a home, the property owner files a Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit, Form 2368, with the city assessor.  The exemption information is then posted to the local property tax roll.  Your Homeowner’s Principal Residence Exemption is good on your residence until you rescind the exemption.

Factors to be considered in determining a principal residence include where taxpayers keep their most important possessions, house their family, vote, maintain club and lodge memberships, buy automobiles licenses, maintain a mailing address and banking location, operate a business and file their state tax forms. 

The local assessor and the state review the applications for Principal Residence Exemption.  If you have previous owned a home, you must file a Request to Rescind the Homeowners Principal Residence Exemption, at the time you file a new application on your new home.  

Currently, the School operating millage is only on the winter tax bill in the City of Hartford, the percent of your Principal Residence Exemption is listed both on your Notice of Assessment, and your current tax bill.

This program is separate from the Homestead Property Tax Credit, which is filed annually with your Michigan Individual Income Tax Return.

If you have any questions about your Principal Residence Exemption, or how to file for the Homestead Property Tax Credit, please give the Treasurer a Call at Hartford City Hall

Click here for the online fill-in form for Principal Residence Exemption at the State of Michigan website http://www.michigan.gov/documents/2368f_2605_7.pdf