Tax Information

Summer Taxes: 
Summer tax statements are sent out annually on July 1st and are due on September 14th without interest or penalty.  Beginning September 15th through September 30th, 1% interest is added.  An additional 1% interest is added for each calendar month thereafter on the unpaid balance through February. On March 1st a 4% penalty and fee will be charged on any unpaid balances, and you must then pay your tax bill at the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office, 1200 Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341.   

Winter Taxes: 
Winter tax statements are sent out annually on December 1st and are due on February 14th without interest or penalty.  Beginning February 15th through February 28th/29th, 1% interest is added.  On March 1st a 3% penalty and fee will be charged on any unpaid balances, and you must then pay your tax bill at the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office, 1200 Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341.   

Tax Statements:
Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from interest or penalties.  If you do not receive a tax bill, please contact the Treasurer’s office at 248-887-3791 Ext. 4.   

Property Tax Information:
Property Tax Information can be accessed free of charge, 24 hours a day on the Oakland County Tax Hotline at 248-858-0025 or 1-888-600-3773.  You need your 10-digit parcel ID number (Begins with H-11), which can be found on your tax bill, assessment notice or your warranty deed. 
View your property tax information.   

Payments:  
Payments are accepted at the Highland Township offices by cash, check, or credit card.  The Township drop box is available for check payments only. You can pay online with a credit card or e-check through Oakland County at www.paylocaltaxes.com or on the tax hotline (248-858-0025 or 888-600-3773). Please note you will pay a convenience fee for this service.  We do accept partial payments with no minimums, however if your bill goes delinquent to Oakland County for collection the minimum payment is $25.00. 

Township Offices Hours : 
Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Mail payments to: 
Highland Township                                               
205 N. John Street
Highland, MI 48357 

24-Hour Drop Box: 
Payments by checks can be made 24 hours a day utilizing the drop box available inside the main entrance to the Township Offices. 

Credit Card: 
To pay online, you will need to provide your name, parcel # or property address and Bill # that you can find on your tax bill. 
Please note you will pay a  convenience fee for this service. 

Late Payments:  All payments must be physically received at the Highland Township Treasurer’s Office on or before February 28th/29th.  Postmarks will NOT be honored.  Beginning March 1st, all annual unpaid real property taxes must be paid to the Oakland County Treasurer, 1200 Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341, with additional penalties. 

Summer Deferred:  
Summer taxes can be deferred without interest or penalty through February at the township, March and April will also be deferred, however payments then must be made at Oakland County to the Oakland County Treasurer. 
You can apply for deferment if your previous year’s total household income was less than $40,000 and you meet one of the following criteria:                                        
     -62 years of age or older
     -Paraplegic, quadriplegic, or hemiplegic
     -Eligible serviceperson, veteran, or widow  or widower of a service person     
     -Blind person
     -Totally and permanently disabled

Applications for deferment are available at the Treasurer’s Office and must be received by September 14th of the current tax year.  An application will be automatically sent to you if you had your taxes deferred the prior year.   

Change of Ownership:  
Report change of ownership promptly to the Highland Township Assessing office at 248-887-3791 Ext. 3.  Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt your taxes from penalties.  Make sure your principal residence exemption and property transfer papers are filed with the Township Assessor.  

Escrow/Mortgage Company:  
If you have a mortgage escrow account, your mortgage company will receive a tax bill and you will receive an Information Copy for your records.  Your bill should show the name of your mortgage company.  Please contact us if your mortgage information is incorrect.  Failure to receive payment by the due date will result in interest and penalties.   

Personal Property Taxes:  
The assessment date for personal property tax is December 31st of the prior year.  If you are in business as of that date, you are responsible for the summer and winter taxes. 

2024 Property Tax Rates:

Tax Collection Information

To figure out your tax bill take the millage rate, times your taxable value, divided by 1000. Example:               
A home has an SEV of $75,000 and a Taxable value of $50,000.                  
32.5638 (2024 total Homestead millage rate) x $50, 000 (taxable value)/1000 = $1,628.19                
Plus, any special assessments (trash pickup, lake levels, etc.)

Trash pickup: is currently $180.00, and it is billed to every household in Highland on the Winter tax statement. 

Property tax calculation:  Prospective new home purchasers should be aware that an increase in taxes typically occurs upon the sale of the property.  Prospective purchasers should include this calculation in their purchasing decision.   Calculate your estimated property taxes.  

 **This calculation should give you an approximation of the tax responsibilities that you will assume with the purchase of the property.