Tax bills are sent out in July and December of each year. The summer bill is due, without interest, September 14 and the winter bill is due, without interest, February 14. We collect with penalty (after February 14) and interest until February 28th. Interest on summer bills are 1% from September 15- 30th and 1% for each month after. Winter bills are charged a 1% penalty from February 15 - 28. As of March 1st all unpaid tax bills are sent to Oakland County for delinquent collection. Each unit has a different fiscal year; the 2007 time periods covered for each unit are as follows:  

                                           Summer          Winter           Fiscal Year 
 
     Huron Valley               100%                                        7-1-08 to 6-30-09 
 
     OCC                             100%                                        10-1-08 to 9-30-09

     ISD                               100%                                         7-1-08 to 6-30-09

     SET                              100%                                        10-1-08 to 9-30-09
 
     Oakland County         100%                                        10-1-07 to 9-30-08
 
     Highland Township                            100%                1-1-09 to 12-31-09 

You may claim a homestead, and therefore a lower tax rate, if you own and occupy your home before May 1st. Non-Homestead properties are rental or second homes, commercial and vacant properties. 2008 rates are 30.2952 for homestead properties and 48.2952 for non-homestead.

If you need to change the name on a property call our assessing department at 887-3791 x 3.

To figure out your tax bill take the millage rate times your taxable value divided by 1000. Example:

     A home has a SEV of 75,000 and a Taxable value of 50,000
     30.2952 (2008 Homestead millage rate) X
     50,000(taxable value) / 1000 = $1514.76

You can access your property tax information 24 hours a day on the Oakland County Tax Hot Line. You need your 10-digit parcel ID number. The Tax Hot Line can be reached at 248-858-0025 or 1-888-600-3773. There is no charge for Highland residents to use this service. You can find your parcel ID number on your tax bill, assessment notice or your warranty deed. We can get it for your based on your address or map location.

We accept partial payments, no minimum for Township collection. If your bill goes delinquent to Oakland County for collection the minimum payment is $25.00.

Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from interest or penalties. If you do not receive a bill, please contact the Treasurer's office at 887-3791 X 4.
If you have an escrow account, your mortgage company should receive a tax bill. You should receive an Information Copy for your records. Your bill should show the name of your mortgage company. Please contact us if your mortgage information is incorrect.

Qualified taxpayers with annual income under $40,000 can apply for a deferment on your summer tax bill. This allows your summer taxes to be paid, without penalty, before February 14th without any interest. You must apply for a deferment before September 14th. Deferment forms are available in the Treasurer's office and will be automatically sent to you each year once you have applied.

Payments are accepted by cash or check. On line credit card payments will be accepted through www.paylocaltaxes.com and Oakland County's website  There will be a convenience fee estimated at 2.75% charged for this service. For collections, the Township office has a drop box, an addressed envelope is included with your tax bill, or the Treasurer's office is open Monday through Friday.