Reducing Your Michigan Taxes—2012 Property Tax Appeals

As a result of the condition of the national and local economies, as well as other factors, real estate values in Michigan are still at an all-time low while property taxes continue to increase. In a very short time, business owners and individuals will be receiving real and personal property tax assessment notices that, in many cases, will be greater than 50% of the true cash value of your industrial and commercial property. In general, the deadline to file an appeal with the Michigan Tax Tribunal for industrial and commercial property is May 31, 2012, and the prerequisite of appealing to the local board of review has been eliminated.

As a service to our clients who own or lease industrial or commercial real property and industrial personal property (consisting of machinery and equipment), we offer the service of appealing your property tax assessments without charging on an hourly basis. We undertake property tax assessment appeal cases on a contingent fee arrangement based on the net tax savings for the tax years under appeal, with a three-year minimum; which is the time period it typically takes to process a case before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Net tax savings is defined as the sum of the tax reduction or refunds realized plus interest and penalties accrued thereon or attributable thereto, less any expenses incurred in connection with the appeal. The only items that will be billed during the pendency of the case are out-of-pocket expenses for such items as filing fees, copying charges and mileage, the amount of which is subtracted to determine the net tax savings.

By providing our legal services to you on a contingent fee basis, we can reduce your overhead without affecting your cash flow. If our efforts do not result in a reduction or a refund of your taxes, we do not receive a fee.

Prior to accepting a case we will review the matter at no charge to you. If we believe the case is meritorious for an appeal under our criteria, we will send you a retainer letter outlining the terms of our engagement under a contingency basis.

Taxpayers will need to have ready the following information: a brief description of the property in question (including the square footage), its present use, copies of the 2012 tax assessment notice, 2012 personal property statements (for personal property appeals), 2009-2011 tax bills, and any appraisal reports or insurance policies that indicate the value of the property.

We have a very successful track record in obtaining tax refunds/reductions for our clients. To get started, please contact any of the listed Dykema attorneys.

_{As part of our service to you, we regularly compile short reports on new and interesting developments and the issues the developments raise. Please recognize that these reports do not constitute legal advice and that we do not attempt to cover all sAs part of our service to you, we regularly compile short reports on new and interesting developments and the issues the developments raise. Please recognize that these reports do not constitute legal advice and that we do not attempt to cover all such developments. Rules of certain state supreme courts may consider this advertising and require us to advise you of such designation. Your comments are always welcome. © 2012 Dykema Gossett PLLC.}