How to Calculate Michigan Property Taxes

By Andrew McManamonMichigan Property Taxes October 15, 2025

The State of Michigan’s Property Tax Estimator lets you estimate taxes by local unit and school district. You’ll enter either your SEV (for future owners/buyers) or your Taxable Value (for current owners), then choose your county, city/township/village, and school district to see projected bills. The estimator currently displays results using the most recently posted statewide millage table noted on the page. treas-secure.state.mi.us

Quick glossary

SEV (State Equalized Value): Usually about 50% of market value; use this if you’re estimating taxes as a future owner (buyer).

Taxable Value: What current owners pay taxes on; it increases annually by inflation or 5% (whichever is lower) until “uncapping” at sale.

A) If You’re a Buyer (Future Owner)

Use this when you want to know post-purchase taxes after uncapping.

Open the estimator

Visit the Michigan Property Tax Estimator: treas-secure.state.mi.us/ptestimator.

On the landing view you’ll see instructions to enter SEV for future owners or Taxable Value for current owners, then select your county; you’ll be prompted for your local unit and school district next. treas-secure.state.mi.us
Calculate your SEV
1. Take your expected purchase price (or market value) and divide by 2.
2. Example: $320,000 purchase price → SEV ≈ $160,000.
Enter the SEV

Type your SEV in the “For future owners, enter the SEV” field.
Select your County

Choose the county from the dropdown list. (All 83 Michigan counties are available.) treas-secure.state.mi.us
Select your Local Unit and School District

You’ll be prompted to pick your city/village/township and then the school district serving the property. (Millage varies by both.) treas-secure.state.mi.us
Review the Results

The tool will show an estimated annual property tax at the selected location/school district. (It reflects the posted statewide millage table shown on the estimator page.) treas-secure.state.mi.us

Buyer Pro Tips

If you’re planning to claim the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) as your primary home, focus on the “homestead/primary residence” figure (if shown) or use the millage minus the 18-mill school operating levy when comparing.
If it will be a rental/Airbnb/second home, use non-homestead figures (these are typically ~25–35% higher because they don’t get the PRE reduction).
Remember: after closing, your taxable value uncaps (resets to market), so ignore the seller’s old bill when budgeting.

Search For All Homes For Sale

See My Home's Current Value

B) If You’re a Current Owner

Use this when you already own the home and want to sanity-check your next bill.

Open the estimator

Go to treas-secure.state.mi.us/ptestimator. treas-secure.state.mi.us
Enter your current Taxable Value

Use the “To estimate property taxes paid by the current owner, enter the taxable value” field. You’ll find Taxable Value on your most recent tax bill or assessment notice.
Select your County

Pick the county from the dropdown. treas-secure.state.mi.us
Choose your Local Unit and School District

Select the city/village/township and the correct school district. treas-secure.state.mi.us
Review the Results

Compare the estimator’s output with your actual bill. If your bill is materially different, check for special assessments or changes not reflected in the posted millage table on the site. treas-secure.state.mi.us

Inflation will drive Michigan property tax bills up again in 2024

Worked Example (Buyer)

Purchase price: $320,000 → SEV ≈ $160,000
Enter SEV: 160,000
Select county/local unit/school district: (example) Oakland County → [your township] → [your school district]
Read the output: You’ll see the projected annual total. For a quick mental check, remember that total tax ≈ Taxable Value × (millage/1,000). After purchase, your Taxable Value ≈ SEV (because of uncapping), so you can approximate:

If composite millage were ~40 mills: $160,000 × 40 / 1,000 ≈ $6,400/year.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Relying on the seller’s tax bill: That bill often reflects years of capped taxable value; your post-sale bill will be higher due to uncapping.
Wrong school district: Two homes across the street can have different school millages—double-check the district.
PRE assumption errors: If it’s not your primary residence, remove the PRE effect when comparing.
Special assessments: The estimator notes that certain localized assessments aren’t included; verify with your local assessor if your property has extra charges. treas-secure.state.mi.us
The calculator has a disclaimer at the bottom stating they may using the previous years millage rates up until August of the current year, so you may have to cross reference with the millage rate PDF of that current year which you can find here: https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/property/estimator/related/millage-rates

Notes About the Estimator

The page explains you can estimate by local unit and school district by entering SEV (future owners) or Taxable Value (current owners), then selecting county, etc. treas-secure.state.mi.us
It also includes a notice about which millage year the tool is currently using statewide and that some special/local assessments may not be included in the estimate. Always confirm specifics with your city/township assessor. treas-secure.state.mi.us