City Assessor

Rhonda Sells, MAAO – City Assessor

The Assessing Department has the responsibility of appraising and determining the true cash value of all taxable properties located within the city. The State of Michigan Constitution and Statute require that, notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, the assessed values placed upon the assessment roll shall be at 50% of the true cash value. Prior to the passage of Proposal A in March 1994, the assessed value, when equalized, became the State Equalized Value (SEV) and taxes were based on that value. This procedure changed with the passage of Proposal A which placed profound limits on the values used to compute property taxes. Starting in 1995 and thereafter, property taxes are calculated on the Taxable Value.

The Assessing Department serves as a source of information for the public by maintaining for general inspection subdivision plat maps, as well as property record cards for each parcel of land located in the City of Tawas City. The Assessing Department is constantly reviewing and updating records to reflect changes that occur to the individual properties.

For information regarding City of Tawas City taxes, assessing and utility billing, click here.

GIS – If you notice any discrepancies on a certain parcel or area, please contact the Iosco County Equalization Director Troy Somers or Erin Mahalak at 989-984-1111 or by email  [email protected] or [email protected].

City Assessor
550 W. Lake St.
P.O. Box 568
Tawas City, MI 48764

Email
Phone: (989) 362-8688
Fax: (989) 362-2521

Property Inspections

In the year that a property is scheduled for an inspection the assessor will send a card notifying taxpayers.

A property inspection consists of an exterior inspection of a residence. Upon arrival at the property the assessor will knock on the door and if answered, review the record card with the property owner/resident. Updated pictures will then be taken and the exterior of all structures/improvements will be measured. An interior inspection is only conducted by invitation. When the property owner/resident is not home, the assessor will leave a bright orange door-hanger to let the property owner know that an exterior inspection has taken place.

If for some reason the taxpayer DOES NOT want to grant permission for anyone from the assessing office to access their property for an exterior property inspection, it would be helpful to have the following questionnaire completed and returned to the assessing office.

You may also call the assessing office at (989) 362-8688 or email the assessor to express that you do not want an exterior property inspection.

Assessor Residential Record Card Verification Form

Protesting Assessed Values

The following documents and links can help you if you wish to protest the assessed value of your property:

Board of Review
Board of Review Petition
Tax Tribunal Petition

Disabled Veteran Exemption 

Disabled Veterans Exemption Form

Principal Residence Exemptions

The following links and forms offer information on filing for a principal residence exemption (PRE):

PRE Guidelines 
PRE Affidavit Form
Conditional Rescission of PRE FAQ’s
Conditional Rescission Affidavit Form
Rescission Affidavit Form
PRE Active Duty Military Form

Poverty Exemptions

A special section (MCL 211.7u) of the Michigan General Property Tax Act allows for certain property owners to be exempt from taxation. Commonly referred to as the Homestead Poverty Exemption, the law provides for a partial or complete “forgiveness” of property taxes for households that meet the poverty exemption guidelines set by the Tawas City Council. Feel free to contact the Assessing Department at (989) 362-8688 or by email for the current Federal Poverty Income amounts that are adjusted annually. The following documents provide more information on poverty exemptions:

Poverty Exemption Guidelines 2025
Form 5737 Application for MCL 211.7u Poverty Exemption
Form 5739 Affirmation of Ownership and Occupancy
Form 4988 Poverty Exemption Affidavit