Midland County Property Tax Records

Midland County property tax records are maintained by the County Equalization Department at 220 W. Ellsworth Street in Midland. Residents, buyers, and researchers can search parcel data, view assessed values, and look up tax history using the BS&A online portal. The Equalization office keeps records for every township and city in the county. This guide covers the tools, offices, and steps you need to find Midland County property tax information quickly.

How to Search Midland County Property Tax Records

Midland County uses the BS&A Online platform to provide public access to property tax records. The portal lets you search by owner name, parcel number, or property address. Results show current owner information, legal descriptions, assessed values, taxable values, and tax payment history. All townships within the county are covered in one search, so you don't need to go to each township separately.

To start an online search, visit the Midland County BS&A property search portal. No account is needed for basic lookups. Type in a name, address, or parcel ID. The system pulls up matching records right away. This is the best way to check current assessment data or look at prior tax years without making a trip to the courthouse.

The screenshot below comes from the BS&A online search portal used by Midland County to provide public access to property tax records. This portal is your main starting point for any parcel search in the county.

The portal is updated regularly to reflect current assessment year data for all parcels in Midland County.

If you need help or can't find a record online, the Equalization Department at 220 W. Ellsworth St. can assist. Director Charles M. Slagle's office is open during regular county business hours. Call 989-832-6840 before you visit to confirm hours and what documents to bring along.

Midland County Equalization Department

The Equalization Department is the main office for property assessment records in Midland County. Director Charles M. Slagle oversees the equalization process that sets assessed values for all real and personal property in the county. Under MCL 211.1 et seq., every property in Michigan must be assessed at 50% of its true cash value. The Equalization Department reviews township assessments each year to make sure they meet that standard statewide.

The office manages special assessment rolls, processes exemption applications, and keeps the county's parcel database up to date. Whether you're a homeowner checking your own assessment or a title professional doing due diligence, this is the office that holds the core property tax records for Midland County.

Midland County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds records all real estate documents in Midland County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other instruments that affect property ownership are filed here. When a property is sold or ownership changes in any way, the new owner should file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4025) with the local assessor within 45 days of the transfer date. This step is required by state law and triggers the uncapping of taxable value in the following tax year.

The standard recording fee in Michigan is $30 per document. Copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies run $5. Register of Deeds Cheryl A. Fox can be reached at 989-832-6820 for questions about recorded instruments or to request document copies. Recorded documents from the Register of Deeds work alongside Equalization records to give a complete picture of a property's ownership and tax history.

Note: Filing the Transfer Affidavit on time is important. Late filing can create problems with how your assessment is handled after a sale.

Property Assessment in Midland County

Property in Midland County is assessed as of December 31 each year, which is Michigan's Tax Day under MCL 211.30. Township assessors in each of Midland County's townships set values for individual parcels, and the County Equalization Department then reviews those values to make sure they reflect 50% of true cash value. Assessment notices are mailed to property owners in February.

Michigan caps the annual increase in taxable value at the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower. This cap stays in place as long as the same owner holds the property. Once the property is sold or ownership transfers, the taxable value uncaps and resets to the assessed value for the following year. This can result in a noticeable jump in taxes for a new buyer. The Michigan Property Tax Estimator at michigan.gov helps buyers understand what taxes to expect after a purchase closes.

For general guidance on how the assessment system works statewide, visit Michigan Treasury's property tax page. The state sets the rules; local township assessors in Midland County apply them to each parcel.

Property Tax Exemptions in Midland County

Midland County property owners can reduce their tax bills through several state exemptions. The Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) is the most widely used. Under MCL 211.7u, owners who use their property as their primary home can exempt it from 18 mills of school operating taxes. File Form 2368 with your local township assessor by June 1 to claim this benefit. You only need to file once unless your primary residence changes.

Agricultural property may qualify for an exemption under MCL 211.7v. Midland County has a mix of residential, commercial, and agricultural land, and qualifying farm operations can see meaningful reductions in their tax bills. The property must meet the state definition of agricultural property to be eligible.

Low-income homeowners can apply for the Poverty Exemption each March by filing Form 5737 and Form 4988 with their township assessor. The Board of Review rules on these requests annually. Disabled veterans and their surviving spouses may also qualify for a full or partial property tax exemption under Michigan law. Contact the Midland County Equalization office to learn which exemptions apply to your situation.

Appealing Your Midland County Property Tax Assessment

If you believe your Midland County property is overassessed, you have formal channels to challenge it. The March Board of Review is your first step. Each township holds its own Board of Review session in March to hear protests from property owners. You can appear in person or submit a written protest before the deadline. Come prepared with evidence such as a recent independent appraisal or documented sales of comparable properties in your area.

If the Board of Review does not grant relief, you can appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, which can be reached at 517-335-9760. The filing deadline for residential property is July 31 of the tax year. For commercial and industrial property, the deadline is May 31. The Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights under MCL 205.735 lays out your rights at every stage of this process. Keep copies of all filings and any correspondence with the assessor's office.

Midland County Treasurer

The Midland County Treasurer's office, led by Cathy L. Lunsford, handles delinquent property taxes after they are turned over from local townships. Summer taxes are generally due in September and winter taxes in February, though your specific township may set slightly different dates. Always check with your local township treasurer for exact due dates.

Once taxes become delinquent, they transfer to the County Treasurer. The office manages collections, payment plans, and properties that have entered the forfeiture process. Reach Treasurer Lunsford's office at 989-832-6850 with questions about delinquent amounts or to ask about a payment plan. Delinquent taxes in Michigan carry interest and administrative fees, so addressing them early reduces your total cost.

Note: Properties with unpaid delinquent taxes can eventually enter foreclosure, so staying current or working out a plan early is always the better path.

Cities in Midland County

Midland is the county seat and largest city in Midland County. Other communities include Coleman, Sanford, and the unincorporated areas of the county's townships. None of these municipalities meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Property tax records for all areas of Midland County are handled through the county Equalization Department and the BS&A online portal.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Midland County. Each has its own equalization office and property tax system. If a parcel sits near a county line, confirm which county it falls in before you search.