Access Wexford County Property Tax Records

Wexford County property tax records are managed by the county Equalization Department in Cadillac and are searchable online through the BS&A platform. Property owners, buyers, and researchers can look up parcel data, assessed values, taxable values, and tax history for any parcel in the county. This guide covers how to search Wexford County property tax records, which county offices are responsible, and how the assessment, exemption, and appeal process works in this northern Michigan county.

How to Search Wexford County Property Tax Records

Wexford County uses the BS&A Online platform to provide public access to property tax records. You can search by owner name, parcel number, or address without logging in. The portal displays assessed value, taxable value, legal description, tax amounts billed, and payment history for each parcel. It covers all townships and the City of Cadillac, so one search handles any parcel in Wexford County.

Find the Wexford County portal at bsaonline.com/?uid=7600. The system includes tax, assessment, and delinquent search options. It is updated regularly to reflect current tax year data. This is the fastest way to access Wexford County property tax records without visiting the Equalization office in Cadillac.

The screenshot below shows the Wexford County BS&A property search portal. This tool is your primary resource for online parcel and tax lookups in the county.

For in-person assistance, the Equalization Department is at 437 E. Division St., Cadillac, MI 49601. Call Director Lori A. Johnson at 231-779-9460 to confirm hours. The county equalization page at wexfordcounty.org/departments/equalization provides additional information and links.

Wexford County Equalization Department

Director Lori A. Johnson leads the Equalization Department for Wexford County. Under MCL 211.1, all property in Michigan must be assessed at 50% of true cash value. Johnson's department reviews township assessment rolls each year, analyzes sales data from across the county, and applies equalization adjustments where needed. This process ensures that properties throughout Wexford County's townships are taxed consistently based on their market value.

The office maintains county parcel data, reviews exemption applications, and manages special assessment rolls. If you have questions about how your property was valued, which exemptions might apply, or how the equalization process affects your tax bill, the Equalization Department is your starting point. Records are public and available during regular business hours at 437 E. Division St. in Cadillac.

Wexford County Register of Deeds

Register Ann M. Johnson records all real estate instruments in Wexford County. Deeds, mortgages, liens, land contracts, and easements are filed and maintained here. The Register of Deeds confirms recorded documents and provides certified copies on request. When a property changes hands, the new owner must file a Property Transfer Affidavit (Form L-4025) with the local township assessor within 45 days of the transfer date. This filing triggers the taxable value uncapping process that Michigan law requires following a sale.

The standard Michigan recording fee is $30 per document. Copies cost $1 per page and certified copies are $5 each. The Register of Deeds is at 437 E. Division St., Cadillac, MI 49601. Phone: 231-779-9450. Recorded land documents establish the ownership foundation that underlies all Wexford County property tax records.

Note: Filing the Property Transfer Affidavit late can result in a penalty and may delay the taxable value reset that is supposed to take effect the year after a sale.

Property Tax Assessment in Wexford County

All property in Wexford County is assessed as of December 31 each year under MCL 211.30. Township assessors visit properties, evaluate conditions and sales, and set values for each parcel. The Equalization Department reviews those values against recent sales data and adjusts them where needed. Assessment notices arrive in February. Owners who see a significant or unexpected change should review the notice and contact the township assessor before the March Board of Review deadline.

Michigan's taxable value cap limits annual tax increases for existing owners to the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less. When property sells, the cap lifts and taxable value resets to match assessed value in the following tax year. Buyers in Wexford County should plan for this reset using the Michigan Property Tax Estimator. Wexford County has a mix of residential, recreational, agricultural, and forested property. Lakefront and recreational parcels near Cadillac and Lake Mitchell can carry higher market values, which affects both assessed values and the post-sale tax reset for new buyers. More guidance on state assessment rules is available at Michigan Treasury property tax.

Property Tax Exemptions in Wexford County

The most common exemption for Wexford County homeowners is the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). Under MCL 211.7u, the PRE removes 18 mills of school operating tax from qualifying primary residences. File Form 2368 with your township assessor by June 1. Once filed, the exemption renews automatically each year you continue to use the property as your primary home. You do not need to re-file unless your main residence changes.

Agricultural land in Wexford County may qualify for the Agricultural Exemption under MCL 211.7v. Qualifying farm operations can see meaningful tax reductions. Ask the township assessor what qualifies and what documentation is needed. Forest land enrolled in programs like the Commercial Forest Act may also have special assessment treatment. Check with the assessor if you have forested or rural acreage.

The Poverty Exemption is available for lower-income homeowners who file Form 5737 and Form 4988 before the March Board of Review. Disabled veterans and surviving spouses may also qualify for additional exemptions under Michigan law. The Michigan Treasury has a full list of available programs and eligibility criteria.

Appealing Your Wexford County Assessment

Property owners in Wexford County who think their assessment is too high can appeal it. The first step is the March Board of Review at the township level. You must file a written protest or appear before the Board before its deadline. Bring evidence that supports a lower value. A recent licensed appraisal or comparable sales data from similar properties in the area is most persuasive. The Board of Review can reduce your assessed value if the evidence warrants it.

If the Board of Review does not resolve your concern, you can escalate to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The MTT hears property tax disputes statewide. For residential property, file by July 31. For commercial property, the deadline is May 31. The MTT is at 517-335-9760. Your rights throughout the appeal process are defined in the Property Taxpayer's Bill of Rights under MCL 205.735.

Wexford County Property Tax Payments

Treasurer Lisa R. Kerns manages delinquent property tax collections for Wexford County. Local townships collect current-year taxes during summer and winter billing cycles. Summer taxes are typically due in September and winter taxes in February. Individual townships set their own exact due dates, so check with your local treasurer for the specific deadlines that apply to your parcel.

Once taxes go delinquent, they transfer to the County Treasurer each March. At that point, interest and administrative fees begin to accrue under Michigan law. Treasurer Kerns handles payment arrangements and manages the forfeiture and foreclosure process for long-standing delinquencies. Contact her office at 231-779-9470 if you are behind on taxes or want to set up a payment plan. Acting early is always less expensive than letting delinquent taxes accumulate interest and fees. Addressing the balance promptly also keeps the property out of the forfeiture process.

Note: Michigan law allows county foreclosure of properties with taxes unpaid for three or more consecutive years. Contact the Treasurer's office as soon as possible if you have overdue balances.

Cities in Wexford County

Wexford County's largest community is Cadillac, the county seat. Other communities include Manton and Mesick. None of these municipalities meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. Property tax records for all areas in Wexford County are accessible through the BS&A portal at bsaonline.com and the Equalization Department at 437 E. Division St., Cadillac.

Nearby Counties

Wexford County borders these northern Michigan counties. Each has its own equalization office and property records. Verify which county holds a parcel near a county line before you search.