Search Kalamazoo Property Tax Records
Kalamazoo property tax records are managed by the City of Kalamazoo Assessor's Office. The city uses BS&A Online to give residents and researchers fast access to parcel data, assessed values, and tax history. This page covers how to search Kalamazoo property tax records online, what the assessor's office does, how exemptions work, and what to do if you want to appeal your assessment. Whether you own property in Kalamazoo or are researching a parcel, the information here points you to the right sources.
Kalamazoo Overview
How to Search Kalamazoo Property Tax Records
The City of Kalamazoo uses the BS&A Online portal as its public property tax search tool. You can look up any parcel in Kalamazoo by owner name, property address, or parcel number. The portal displays the assessed value, taxable value, legal description, and tax payment history for each parcel. No account or login is needed for basic searches. This is the quickest way to find Kalamazoo property tax records from any device.
The screenshot below shows the BS&A search portal used by the City of Kalamazoo. This tool is your primary source for accessing Kalamazoo property tax records online.
The portal is updated regularly and reflects current tax year data for all parcels within city limits.
If online search does not give you everything you need, visit or call the City Assessor at 241 W. South Street. Staff can pull up records, answer questions about assessed values, and help with exemption paperwork. For parcel boundaries and mapping, the City of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County both offer GIS tools that let you view properties on an interactive map alongside tax data.
City of Kalamazoo Assessor's Office
The City of Kalamazoo Assessor's Office is responsible for valuing all real and personal property within city limits. Each year the assessor reviews parcels and sets an assessed value that reflects 50% of the property's true cash value, as required by MCL 211.1. That value is the starting point for calculating your tax bill. The assessor's office also handles exemption applications and responds to questions from property owners about how their values were determined.
| Office | City of Kalamazoo Assessor's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 241 W. South Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| Phone | (269) 337-8043 |
| Online Search | BS&A Online - Kalamazoo City |
| County Treasurer | Kalamazoo County Treasurer (delinquent taxes) |
The assessor's office is the best first stop for any question about a Kalamazoo property tax record. Staff can confirm assessed and taxable values, verify exemption status, and explain what information is on file for a specific parcel.
Property Tax Assessment in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo property is assessed each year as of December 31 under MCL 211.30. This is Michigan's Tax Day. The assessor reviews every parcel and sets a new value based on current market conditions. Assessment notices are mailed in February. If you see a change in your assessed value, check the notice carefully. It will show the current year value and the prior year value side by side.
Michigan limits how fast your taxable value can grow while you own the same property. The taxable value can only increase by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower, as long as there is no transfer of ownership. When a property is sold or otherwise transferred, the taxable value uncaps and resets to the assessed value starting the next tax year. This often results in a meaningful increase in taxes after a sale. Buyers in Kalamazoo should use the Michigan Property Tax Estimator to get a sense of what their tax bill will look like after purchase.
The Kalamazoo area also has a unique feature in the Kalamazoo Promise, which affects some residential decisions in the city. While the Promise itself is a scholarship program and not a tax program, it influences the desirability of property in certain school district zones, which in turn can affect market values and assessments over time.
Property Tax Exemptions in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo property owners may qualify for several exemptions that lower their tax liability. The most common is the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). If the property is your main home, you can remove 18 mills from the school operating portion of your tax bill. Under MCL 211.7u, you file Form 2368 with the city assessor by June 1. This is one of the most valuable tax breaks available to Michigan homeowners, and it does not require renewal as long as you continue to live in the home and own it.
The Poverty Exemption helps low-income homeowners in Kalamazoo reduce or eliminate their property tax. You file Form 5737 and Form 4988 with the assessor. The March Board of Review acts on these requests. Income and asset limits apply, and the city sets local thresholds within state guidelines. If your financial situation has changed, it is worth checking whether you qualify, even if you did not in prior years.
Note: Veteran exemptions for disabled veterans are also available. Contact the assessor at (269) 337-8043 to ask about eligibility and required documentation.
Appealing Your Kalamazoo Assessment
If you disagree with your assessed value in Kalamazoo, the appeal process starts with the March Board of Review. This board meets in March at the city level and takes protests from property owners who believe their assessment is too high. You can appear in person or submit a written protest. Come prepared with evidence such as recent sales of comparable homes, an independent appraisal, or documentation of property defects that affect value. The Board reviews the evidence and issues a decision.
If the March Board of Review does not resolve your concern, the next step is the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The MTT hears property tax appeals statewide and is independent of local government. For residential property, the deadline to file a MTT petition is July 31. For commercial property, it is May 31. Your rights during this process are protected under the Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, MCL 205.735. The MTT can be reached at 517-335-9760.
Property Tax Payments in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo property taxes are billed in two installments each year. Summer taxes are typically billed in July. Winter taxes come out in December. Each installment has its own due date. Check your tax bill for exact deadlines. Payments go to the Kalamazoo City Treasurer for current-year taxes.
Once taxes go delinquent, they transfer to the Kalamazoo County Treasurer for collection. At that point, interest and administrative fees start adding up. The County Treasurer handles delinquent accounts, payment plans, and the formal forfeiture and foreclosure process if taxes remain unpaid long enough. Michigan's General Property Tax Act sets the timeline for how delinquency moves to forfeiture. The Michigan Treasury has general information on delinquent timelines if you want to understand the stages. If you are behind, contact the County Treasurer early to explore your options before the debt grows further.
Kalamazoo County Property Tax Records
Kalamazoo is in Kalamazoo County. The county equalization office, Register of Deeds, and county treasurer all maintain records that connect to Kalamazoo property tax data. Find full county-level resources on the county page.
Nearby Cities
Kalamazoo is the primary city in Kalamazoo County. No other qualifying cities in our coverage area are located nearby. For county-level records and resources covering surrounding communities, visit the Kalamazoo County page linked above.