Property Tax Relief for Seniors in Michigan

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: May 3, 2026

Bottom line: Michigan does not have one automatic statewide property tax break just because you are older. Most seniors should start by checking the Principal Residence Exemption, the Homestead Property Tax Credit, the summer tax deferment, and any local poverty exemption. These programs do different things. One lowers the bill, one may give a tax credit, one buys time, and one depends on local hardship rules.

If you need more help in Michigan, start with our Michigan senior benefits guide. You can also compare property tax relief by state, review our tax guide for seniors, or use our senior help tools if you are sorting bills, benefits, or paperwork.

Quick start: where to begin

Contents

• Urgent home help
• Five facts to know first
• Start here
• Who usually qualifies
• Best relief options
• How local rules differ
• Apply the smart way
• Application checklist
• Reality checks
• Common mistakes
• Best options by need
• If denied
• Backup plans
• Local and community help
• Help for specific groups
• Other routes
• Phone scripts
• Resumen en español
• FAQ

If you may lose your home, do these three things today

• Call the county treasurer now: once taxes are delinquent, fees and interest build. Unpaid taxes can move through Michigan’s tax foreclosure process.
• Call your city, township, or village treasurer: ask if you can still file for summer deferment, make a local payment, or avoid the next penalty date.
• Get free help the same day: use Michigan Free Tax Help, a housing counselor, or a local senior agency if forms are stopping you.

Do not wait for a perfect plan. A short call can tell you whether the bill is still local, already with the county, or close to the next foreclosure step.

Five facts to know first

• Best first move: check your Principal Residence Exemption and the Homestead Property Tax Credit before you assume there is no help.
• Age alone is not enough: Michigan does not have a blanket senior-only property tax exemption or freeze in effect as of May 6, 2026.
• Local rules matter: poverty exemption income and asset rules are local. A senior may qualify in one city and not in another.
• The state credit is widely used: Michigan Treasury said nearly 1.1 million claimants received about $900 million in Homestead Property Tax Credits during the 2025 filing season, with an average credit of $820.
• Get papers first: pull your summer and winter tax bills, February assessment notice, income proof, and any letters from the assessor, treasurer, or county.

Some online articles talk about a new senior property tax refund of about 10%. As of May 6, 2026, that idea was still tied to the governor’s budget proposal. Do not count on it unless Michigan Treasury later publishes final rules.

Start here: what Michigan relief really looks like

Do this first: make sure your home has the Principal Residence Exemption, often called the PRE. Then check whether you claimed the Homestead Property Tax Credit on your last Michigan tax return. The PRE lowers the bill itself. The credit is Michigan’s main circuit-breaker, which means it may help when property taxes or rent take too much of your household income.

If property taxes are only one part of a bigger housing problem, also review housing and rent help and utility bill help. Lowering other bills can make it easier to keep up with property taxes.

Who usually qualifies

Start with residence: for most property tax programs, you must own and live in the home as your main home. Age by itself usually is not enough.

• For the PRE: you must own and occupy the home as your principal residence.
• For the Homestead Property Tax Credit: you generally must have lived in Michigan for at least six months during the tax year, own or rent and occupy a Michigan homestead, have total household resources of $71,500 or less for tax year 2025, and meet the taxable value rule if you own the home.
• For summer deferment: you must meet the income rule and be in a qualifying group, such as age 62 or older, blind, totally and permanently disabled, an eligible serviceperson, an eligible veteran, or an eligible widow or widower.
• For poverty exemption: your city or township sets the exact income and asset tests. Local income rules must follow state law, but the local details still matter. Our guide to the federal poverty level can help you understand why some limits change by household size.

Best Michigan property tax relief options for seniors

Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)

• What it is: Michigan’s main homeowner homestead exemption. It exempts a principal residence from up to 18 mills of local school operating tax.
• Who can get it: homeowners who own and occupy the property as their principal residence.
• How it helps: it lowers the actual bill every year, which is why this is the first thing to check.
• How to apply: file Form 2368 with your local assessor. A valid form filed on or before June 1 can apply to the current summer and winter levies. A valid form filed after June 1 and on or before November 1 can apply to the current winter levy and later levies.
• What to gather: deed or closing papers, ID, parcel number, and any trust or land-contract papers if title is unusual.
• Reality check: if you move out, sell, rent out the home, or stop using it as your main home, you may need to rescind the PRE within the required time.

Homestead Property Tax Credit

• What it is: Michigan’s statewide circuit-breaker credit. It is the main way many low-income and moderate-income seniors get help with property-tax burden.
• Who can get it: for 2025 returns filed in 2026, total household resources generally must be $71,500 or less. The credit begins to phase out above $62,500. Homeowners usually need taxable value of $165,400 or less.
• How it helps: the credit can be worth up to $1,900 for tax year 2025. Your amount depends on your household resources and tax burden.
• How to apply: file the MI-1040CR instructions with your Michigan return, or file the claim by itself if you do not otherwise need to file. The timely deadline for 2025 claims was April 15, 2026, but the refund claim window runs up to four years from the original due date.
• What to gather: both summer and winter 2025 tax bills, taxable value, school district code, and proof of Social Security, pensions, wages, and other household income.
• Reality check: this credit often comes through tax filing. It may not solve a bill that is due this week.

Summer property tax deferment

• What it is: a delay, not a discount. It lets some seniors and other qualifying households pay summer taxes later without added penalty and interest if they pay by the new deadline.
• Who can get it: owners of a principal residence with prior-year gross household income of $40,000 or less who are age 62 or older, or who meet certain disability, blindness, serviceperson, or veteran rules.
• How it helps: a valid deferment lets the summer taxes be paid on or before February 14 without added penalty and interest. The payment is still due.
• How to apply: file Form 471 with your city, township, or village treasurer before September 15, or before the date your summer taxes are due, whichever is later. Do not file this form with Michigan Treasury.
• What to gather: current tax bill, proof of age or qualifying status, income records, property ID number, and the deferment form.
• Reality check: deferment buys time. It does not erase the bill.

Local poverty exemption and hardship programs

• What it is: a local exemption for homeowners who cannot pay because of poverty. State law allows a whole or partial exemption for a principal residence, but the local unit must use its adopted rules.
• Who can get it: owners who live in the home and meet local income and asset rules. Local units must adopt income guidelines, and the income floor cannot be lower than the federal poverty guidelines.
• How it helps: it can reduce current-year taxes. Common reductions include 25%, 50%, or 100%. Some local units may use another approved percentage, such as 75%.
• How to apply: file Form 5737 and Form 5739 with your local assessing unit or Board of Review. If someone in the home was not required to file a tax return, ask if Form 4988 is needed.
• What to gather: ID, proof of ownership, tax returns or no-return affidavits if required, proof of household income, and a full list of assets.
• Reality check: many local units require yearly action unless they adopted a specific extension rule. Ask, “Do I need to apply again next year?”

Disabled Veterans Exemption

• What it is: a separate homestead exemption for certain disabled veterans and some un-remarried surviving spouses.
• Who can get it: eligibility is defined in the state’s Disabled Veterans Exemption guidance. This is not a general senior discount.
• How it helps: a qualifying homestead may be exempt from property tax.
• How to apply: state guidance for 2026 says first-time applicants in a local unit generally file after January 1 and before December 31 of the year requested. The assessor reviews the claim.
• What to gather: the local exemption form, a current U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability letter, ID, and papers showing the property is your homestead.
• Reality check: starting with 2025 approvals, many approved claims carry forward until the veteran, surviving spouse, or heirs rescind because of a move, sale, rental, death, or remarriage where that applies. Ask your assessor how your local unit handles this.

How local rules can look very different

Apply the smart way so you do not waste time

• Check PRE status first: if your principal residence exemption is missing, fix that before anything else.
• Pull the right bills: use the actual summer and winter tax bills for the right tax year, not just a mortgage escrow summary.
• Run the state credit next: use a trained free preparer or the state form instructions.
• If cash is tight now: ask the local treasurer about summer deferment before the deadline passes.
• If income and assets are low: ask the assessor for the poverty exemption packet and the exact Board of Review dates.
• If taxes are already late: call the county treasurer and ask for the payoff amount, the tax year at risk, and payment-plan options.
• Keep proof: save copies, screenshots, receipts, and names of staff you spoke with.

If you are helping an older parent or relative, also check whether caregiving costs are part of the family budget. Michigan families may want to review paid caregiver programs while they work on taxes.

Application checklist

• ☐ Current and prior-year property tax bills
• ☐ February notice of assessment or taxable value record
• ☐ Driver’s license or state ID
• ☐ Deed, land contract, trust, or probate paperwork
• ☐ Social Security, pension, wage, and bank income records
• ☐ Federal and state tax returns for adult household members, if required
• ☐ Asset list for any local poverty review
• ☐ Any disability, veteran, or surviving-spouse proof that applies
• ☐ County treasurer letters if taxes are delinquent

Reality checks that save people trouble

• A tax credit is not a bill cut: the Homestead Property Tax Credit usually comes back through a tax filing. It may not stop a shutoff, tax sale, or county deadline by itself.
• Income means more than wages: many programs count taxable and non-taxable income. Social Security, pensions, gifts, and other support may matter.
• Local hardship rules differ: Detroit, East Lansing, Novi, and Ann Arbor use different deadlines, forms, or support systems.
• Late taxes get expensive: Michigan’s foreclosure timeline says unpaid taxes returned delinquent on March 1 pick up a 4% administration fee and 1% monthly interest.
• Mortgage escrow can hide the problem: if a lender pays your taxes, you may still see a higher monthly payment if taxes rise or an exemption is missing.

Common mistakes that cost seniors money

• Assuming age alone qualifies you: in Michigan, that is usually wrong.
• Forgetting the state credit: many people who do not owe income tax can still claim the Homestead Property Tax Credit.
• Using the wrong tax year’s bills: old bills can cause a wrong credit claim.
• Ignoring PRE letters: a PRE audit can create a back bill if you do not answer.
• Missing local Board dates: poverty exemption dates are local. Ask for the exact deadline in writing.
• Thinking one office handles everything: the assessor, local treasurer, county treasurer, and Treasury each handle different parts.

Best options by real-life need

• I need the current bill lower: check PRE first. Then ask about the local poverty exemption or HOPE if income and assets are low.
• I already paid and need money back: file the Homestead Property Tax Credit if you may qualify.
• I need more time, not a discount: ask for summer tax deferment before the local deadline.
• I am a veteran with severe service-connected disability: ask your assessor about the Disabled Veterans Exemption.
• I am already behind: call the county treasurer and ask about payoff, payment plans, and counseling referrals.
• I need help sorting calls: your local Area Agencies on Aging may be able to point you to benefits counseling or local senior support.

If your application gets denied

• Ask for the reason in writing: find out whether the problem was income, assets, ownership, residency, missing papers, or timing.
• Ask what can still be fixed: some local denials can be corrected at a later Board of Review if the issue is missing paperwork.
• For state credit problems: use Michigan Treasury contact or call 517-636-4486. TTY help is available through 711.
• For serious Treasury delays: the Taxpayer Advocate may be an option after you have tried normal Treasury channels.
• For property-tax appeals: the Michigan Tax Tribunal can be reached at 517-335-9760. Staff cannot give legal advice.

Backup plans if the first path fails

• File older credit claims: if you qualified but did not file, Michigan says you generally have up to four years from the original due date to claim the credit.
• Use foreclosure-prevention help: the state’s taxpayer resources page points homeowners to county treasurers, MDHHS Home Ownership Services, and MSHDA counseling.
• If you are in Detroit: the Detroit Tax Relief Fund may help with delinquent taxes for some homeowners who already received HOPE and Pay As You Stay. Call 866-313-2520.
• If paperwork is the problem: use free tax prep, a legal-aid referral, or a paid CPA or enrolled agent if your case involves trusts, land contracts, business use, or multiple parcels.
• If other bills are crushing you: food, utilities, medical costs, and housing help can matter. Ask 2-1-1 or a local senior agency what emergency help may be open while you work on the tax issue.

Local and community help

• Michigan Free Tax Help: free local return preparation and credit-claiming help. You can call 2-1-1, call 844-875-9211, or text your ZIP code to 898211.
• Treasury’s free-prep page: the state lists tax preparation help, including AARP Tax-Aide, VITA, MyFreeTaxes, and other options.
• Ann Arbor Housing Bureau: the 2026 poverty packet tells older adults to call 734-998-9339 for filing help and possible foreclosure support.
• Detroit HOPE partners: the city lists appointment support and help lines for the HOPE application.
• Michigan Legal Help: this nonprofit has plain-language information about tax foreclosure and housing issues.

Help for specific groups

• Seniors with disabilities: summer deferment rules include people who are blind, totally and permanently disabled, paraplegic, hemiplegic, or quadriplegic. Treasury also offers TTY help through 711.
• Veteran seniors: ask about both the Disabled Veterans Exemption and the summer deferment. These are different programs.
• Renters: the Homestead Property Tax Credit may still matter if you rent and meet the state rules.
• Immigrant and refugee seniors: free tax-prep programs may be able to help people who speak English as a second language. Bring ID, tax papers, and any letters from the landlord or agency.
• Rural seniors: call before driving long distances. Ask the office to list every document needed for the first visit.

Other routes that may still help

• Assessment appeal: if the home value itself looks wrong, use your local Board of Review process. That is different from hardship relief.
• Conditional rescission: if you moved and still own the old home, review the state’s conditional PRE rescission rules.
• Home repair problems: if tax stress is tied to costly repairs, ask your city, township, county, or Area Agency on Aging about local repair and weatherization programs.
• Paid professional help: if title, trust, probate, divorce, or business-use issues are involved, a CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney may save time even though it costs money.

Phone scripts you can use

Call the assessor about PRE

“Hello, my name is _____. I am a senior homeowner. Can you tell me whether the Principal Residence Exemption is active on parcel number _____? If it is not active, what form do I need, and what deadline applies?”

Call the treasurer about summer deferment

“Hello, I am age 62 or older and my household income may be under the limit. Can I apply for summer property tax deferment? What is the local due date, and can you send me Form 471?”

Call about a poverty exemption

“Hello, I need the 2026 poverty exemption packet. What income and asset limits does this city or township use? Which Board of Review can hear my application, and what documents must I bring?”

Call the county about late taxes

“Hello, I am calling about delinquent taxes on parcel number _____. What year of delinquency am I in? What is the payoff amount today? Are payment plans, hardship options, or housing-counseling referrals available?”

Resumen en español

Michigan no tiene una exención automática de impuestos de propiedad solo por tener cierta edad. Si usted es una persona mayor con casa propia, empiece por revisar si su vivienda tiene la Principal Residence Exemption. Después, revise si reclamó el Homestead Property Tax Credit en su declaración de impuestos de Michigan. Esta ayuda puede servir para dueños de casa y también para algunos inquilinos.

Si no puede pagar la factura de verano, llame al tesorero de su ciudad, pueblo o municipio y pregunte por el summer tax deferment. Esta opción no elimina la deuda, pero puede darle más tiempo si cumple las reglas. Si sus ingresos y bienes son muy bajos, pida al asesor local el paquete de poverty exemption. Las reglas cambian según la ciudad o township.

Si los impuestos ya están atrasados, llame hoy al tesorero del condado. Pregunte cuánto debe, qué año está en peligro, y si hay plan de pago o ayuda para evitar foreclosure. También puede llamar a 2-1-1 para encontrar ayuda gratis con impuestos. No espere hasta recibir otra carta.

FAQ

Does Michigan have a property tax exemption just for seniors?

No. Michigan does not have a blanket statewide property tax exemption or freeze that starts automatically at age 65. The main statewide tools are the PRE, the Homestead Property Tax Credit, and summer deferment. Low-income seniors may also qualify for a local poverty exemption.

What is the Homestead Property Tax Credit?

It is Michigan’s main property-tax credit for qualified homeowners and renters. For tax year 2025, the maximum credit is $1,900, the total household resources limit is $71,500, and the credit begins to phase out above $62,500.

Can renters in Michigan get property-tax help?

Yes. The Homestead Property Tax Credit is not only for homeowners. Renters may be able to claim it if they occupy a Michigan homestead and meet the state rules.

Can I delay my summer property taxes?

Possibly. Some seniors age 62 or older with prior-year gross household income of $40,000 or less may qualify for summer tax deferment. File with your local treasurer by the required deadline.

What is the difference between PRE and the state credit?

The PRE lowers the property tax bill itself by removing up to 18 mills of local school operating tax. The Homestead Property Tax Credit is claimed on your Michigan tax filing and may come back as a refund or credit.

What if I missed the April 15 deadline?

You may still have time for the Homestead Property Tax Credit. Michigan generally allows up to four years from the original due date to claim a past credit if you qualified.

What should I do if my hardship request is denied?

Ask for the reason in writing. Then ask whether missing papers can still be filed at a later Board of Review. If taxes are already delinquent, call the county treasurer right away.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified May 3, 2026. Next review September 3, 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, disability-rights, immigration, veterans-benefit, tax-preparer, or government-agency advice. Program rules, income limits, deadlines, local policies, and availability can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official program, assessor, treasurer, or agency before you act.

About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.