Assessing
Tyler Tacoma, MMAO (4)
Assessor
Phone: 616-896-8376 ext. 1007
Fax: 616-896-7271
Email: ttacoma@twp.jamestown.mi.us
Office Hours: By appointment only.
Taxes
Scott Brouwer
Treasurer
Office: 616-896-8376 ext. 1003
Fax: 616-896-7271
Email: sbrouwer@twp.jamestown.mi.us
Office Hours: Monday-Saturday, all calls will be returned within 24 hours
Transfers of Ownership
Any time a transfer of ownership takes place on a property, the buyer or grantee (person receiving the property) is required by Michigan State Law to file a Property Transfer Affidavit with our Assessor’s Office within 45 days of the transfer.
The Property Transfer Affidavit is a one page form that must be filed for typical sales between unrelated buyers and sellers. In addition, it is also a required filing for any transfer of ownership. Some examples are a transfer to a trust, transfer to a spouse, sale of property using a land contract, quit claim deed, giving property to children or other estate planning transfers, foreclosures, etc.
Why is the Property Transfer Affidavit important to the Assessor?
- The Assessor needs to know who the current owner of the property is so that the taxes are billed to the appropriate person.
- The sale price must be given on this form, whether it was or wasn’t shown on the deed and whether or not the purchase price reflects the actual market value. The sale price is vitally important as it helps the Assessor’s Office know what properties are currently selling for in the real estate market. Along with the sale price, items 10-15 on the form help the Assessor determine if the sale was a typical market transaction or if there were other factors that affected the sale price such as: purchasing from a relative at a discount, short sale at a reduced price before a foreclosure, a land contract with an excessive interest rate, or a purchase that included other items such as a vehicle or other personal property (appliances, furniture, etc.).
- The transfer of ownership may or may not require an “uncapping” of the taxable value. Normally, the year after a property sells, the taxable value is “uncapped” and reset to whatever the property’s assessed value is. However, in some cases, the transfer of ownership may be exempt from “uncapping” of the taxable value. The information provided on the Property Transfer Affidavit allows the Assessor to determine whether or not to uncap the taxable value.
Per state law, if this form is not timely filed with the Jamestown Township Assessor’s Office within 45 days of the transfer of ownership, a penalty of $5/day (maximum $200) will be applied to the winter tax bill on the property. Filing of the form by the buyer is a win-win situation that ensures the correct person receives the tax bills and that our Assessor’s Office gains valuable information about sales activity in the local market.
Property Site Visits
The Assessor’s Office makes several property visits throughout the year. Most notably, the Assessor and/or staff visits all of the sites that have been issued a building permit throughout the year by the Township’s Building Inspectors. In addition, property-by-property reviews are conducted of the entire township, with field staff visiting roughly 20% of the parcels in the township each year.
When do appraisal reviews take place?
Most appraisal reviews of new construction are completed in the winter toward the end of the year, as “Tax Day” each year is December 31st. From an assessment perspective, the valuation for the upcoming year’s assessment roll is based on “whatever the property looks like on ‘Tax Day,’ December 31st.” In other words, a new house that is only 50% completed as of year-end will have an assessment in the upcoming year that reflects partial construction. The Assessor’s Office will then return to that property the following year to verify that the work was completed, and change the partial construction assessment to a completed house assessment for the subsequent year.
Based on this timeline and the necessity that the Assessor’s Office keeps a current project status of properties as of December 31st, several site visits must take place in the last few weeks of the year. In order to maintain an efficient schedule, the Assessor’s Office usually goes on neighborhood-wide permit reviews stopping at several sites throughout the day. If you have a project going at your home and would prefer a scheduled appointment, please do not hesitate to contact our office and we will arrange a site review. In addition, if your project is completed before the end of the year, please feel free to let us know as we would be more than happy to complete our appraisal and assessment review of your home earlier in the year.
While completing property site visits, Field Staff will be driving an appropriately-marked vehicle such as the ones shown here. Staff will also have business cards or other official identification.
Please call the Township Office at (616) 896-8376 if you have questions regarding their visit.
Meet the Assessing Field Staff
Bruce Tacoma
Field Staff
Jamestown Charter Township
Barry DeGraaf
Staff Appraiser
Jamestown Charter TownshipFAQs: Get Answers to your Assessing & Tax Questions
1. I have not received my tax bill, what should I do?
You may request a copy from our office or search our online Property Data, Assessing & Tax Information database. Note that your due date is fixed and cannot be changed.
2. How do I know if my mortgage company was notified about the amount of my tax bill?
Because mortgages are sold frequently, we only send original bills to the homeowner. However, if your mortgage company requests the amount, we will gladly supply it. Ultimately, the homeowner is responsible.
3. How do I know if I have received the Principal Residence Exemption (formerly “Homestead”) Credit?
It is your responsibility, as the property owner, to file the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) Form. Your assessment notice and your tax bills will list the “P.R.E. %” on them.
4. I think that I may have been eligible for the Principal Residence Exemption (formerly “Homestead”) for previous years. Am I eligible for a refund?
5. I am unable to pay my entire tax bill by 5:00pm on the due date. Can a partial payment be made?
Yes, any partial payment received before the deadline means a smaller late fee for you later.
6. I have recently divorced or my spouse has died. How do I change the name on the tax bill?
A name change on a tax bill begins with the assessor. The assessor’s office requires legal documentation for all proof of ownership changes. The law requires a Property Transfer Affidavit to be filed by all grantees who are receiving property, within 45 days of acquisition.
7. How do I change the mailing address on my tax bill?
On your remittance stub, simply cross off the incorrect address and write the correct address.
8. When should I mail my payment for it to be considered on time?
If your payment envelope is postmarked on or before the posted due date, your payment will be considered on time.
9. Can my summer taxes be deferred?
Yes, if you meet the requirements as listed on the Summer Tax Deferment Form.
10. Why do my summer taxes seem so much higher this year?
There are two reasons. First, taxable values are increased due to the rate of inflation (2.4%). Second, last fall, a regional enhancement millage was passed which increases the taxes by .9 mills (90 cents per thousand of taxable value).
The following Ottawa County Proposal passed on November 6, 2018:
Shall separate tax limitations be established for a period of ten (10) years, beginning in the 2019 tax year and
ending at the end of the 2028 tax year, for the County of Ottawa the townships and intermediate School District
within the Ottawa County, the aggregate of which shall not exceed 5.613 mills as follows:
Mills
County of Ottawa 4.440
Townships 1.051
Intermediate School District _.122
Total 5.613
Helpful Assessing Information
New Construction Assessment Math
2023 Ottawa County Apportionment Report – Jamestown information is on page 20 of the report