Treasurer

In person (during office hours): Cash, checks or money orders are accepted at Laketon Township Hall or at any Choice One Bank. Credit or debit card payments can be made at Laketon Township Hall – there is a 3% convenience fee charged by the payment processing company – Laketon Township does not receive any of these fees for offering the service.

In person (after office hours):  There is an after hours “drop box” where payments made by check or money order can be dropped off.  This drop box is emptied several times per day.  NO CASH is accepted in the drop box.

By mail: You can mail your check or money order payment to Laketon Township Hall, 2735 W. Giles Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445

Over the Phone: Credit or debit card payments can be made over the phone by calling Laketon Township Hall at 231-744-2454 during normal business hours – there is a 3% convenience fee charged by the payment processing company – Laketon Township does not receive any of these fees for offering the service.

Online: There are a couple of options for online payments: You can use your own online bill pay through your bank to have them send us the funds, or you can use the online bill pay option on the Laketon Township website. Fees apply to payments made via the online bill pay system offered by Laketon Township and are explained on the online bill pay page – these fees are not charged by Laketon Township nor does Laketon Township receive any of these fees for offering the service.

You can provide an alternate mailing address to Laketon Township  or you can use Postal Mail Forwarding – with the Post Office to have all their mail forwarded to them wherever they are going to be.

Online Payments are also an option.

Over the Phone Payments – call Laketon Township Hall.  

Please keep in mind online payments and over the phone payments incur additional processing fees – see FAQ on methods of payment.

No, by law, we cannot collect any payments until the bills have been levied for each billing cycle (on July 1st and December 1st).

No. Once you receive your bill, you may begin making payments. Please remember that if the balance is not paid in full by the due date, interest will apply to only the unpaid balance as noted above. In addition, any remaining balance not paid by March 1st is turned over to the Muskegon County Treasurer as noted above.

Anytime a check is returned by the bank unpaid (bounced) the payment is not valid, which means the taxes are still unpaid. Laketon Township WILL NOT send any notices that your check has been returned – this issue is between you and your banking institution. Replacement payments must be made by cash, money order or other certified funds. If the replacement payment is made after the tax bill due date, the payment is late and the appropriate interest WILL apply.

There is a returned check fee charged for any/all checks returned by the bank unpaid.

Laketon Township is NOT responsible for tax payments that are mailed but not received. It is the responsibility of all taxpayers to ensure their tax payment is made on time. If you are concerned about mailing your payment, the U.S. Post Office offers several types of guaranteed or proof of delivery mailing services. Otherwise, if your payment does not clear your bank account within a few days (5 to 7 days) of mailing, just call Laketon Township to verify your payment has been received.

Please be aware that the tax bill does not have to be paid in one lump sum. If it is easier, you may make payments. You can begin making payments once you receive your bill. Please call if you have any questions.

The tax bill must be paid in full by the due date in order to avoid the interest and penalty outlined below. However, any payments made before the due date will reduce the balance due and therefore reduce the interest and/or penalty.

Summer Tax bills: As per state law, if summer taxes are not paid by the due date (Sept. 14th), interest will be charged in the amount of 1% per month (or fraction of a month) on the unpaid balance. *Note; summer taxes remain at the township treasurer’s office for payment until the last day of February each year.

Winter Tax bills: As per state law, if winter taxes are not paid by the due date (Feb 14th), interest will be charged in the amount of 1% per month (of fraction of a month) on the unpaid balance. *Note; winter taxes remain at the township treasurer’s office for payment until the last day of February each year.

Penalty: As per state law, any taxes (winter or summer or both) that remain unpaid as of February 15th will be have a 3% penalty added to the balance due.

Any taxes that remain unpaid on March 1st, each year, are turned over to the Muskegon County Treasurer for collection – where additional penalties/interest are added and continue to accrue as per State law. Please contact the County Treasurer for more details on their state mandated processes. The Muskegon County Treasurer’s Department phone number is: 231-724-6261

Each year, the winter tax bill includes a notice on it if that year’s summer tax amount is still outstanding, BUT the summer and winter amounts ARE NOT added together on the winter billing.

The law does not require any late notice mailing by Laketon Township. However, in recent years Laketon Township has been mailing late notice/reminders after the February 14th due date as a courtesy to taxpayers so they have one final opportunity to make payment before unpaid bills are turned over to the County delinquent on March 1st.

Muskegon County Treasurer’s Office takes over collection of delinquent taxes as of March 1st each year and delinquent tax bills are sent out by their office. At this time summer and winter amounts ARE added together by the County for a total delinquent in any given year (plus interest & penalty as required by state law).

Contact the County Treasurer’s Office as soon as possible. The County Treasurer’s office will also accept partial payments on the balance due, call to make payment arrangements. Muskegon County Treasurer’s Office: 231-724- 6261

The State of Michigan tax law includes provisions for poverty exemptions from property taxes.

There is an application process, requirements for income levels, asset levels, proof of income, expenses etc. 

The Laketon Township Poverty Exemption Policy and Application Forms can be found on  the Forms and Ordinances Page of this website.

If you have questions about this exemption, please call the Laketon Township Treasurer’s Dept. 231-744-2454

The State of Michigan Tax Law provides provisions for Disabled Veterans (or their qualifying, unremarried surviving spouse), who are Michigan Residents,  to receive a property tax exemption if they meet certain requirements.

1.  Has been determined by the United States Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veteran’s benefits at the 100% rate.
2. Has a certificate from the United States Veteran’s Administration, certifying that the veteran is receiving or has received pecuniary assistance due to disability for specially adapted housing.
3. Has been rated by the United States Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs as individually unemployable.

For more information or to download the required application form, please visit the State of Michigan website at:  https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/local/stc/ppe/detail/disabled-veterans-exemption-information 

You will need to bring the completed Form 5107 to Laketon Township, along with your VA documentation of disability.  and provide a photo ID, preferably with your address on it.