The  tax bills will soon be sent out.  If you need to make any changes to your mailing address, contact Mindy at #616-846-2210.  Please note that ownership or name changes can only be processed with a legally recorded document, such as a deed.  We do receive copies of all recorded documents and update our records accordingly.  Occasionally, transfer documents do not get recorded with the Ottawa County Register of Deeds office so we need your assistance in letting us know when a tax bill or assessment notice is incorrect.

 

You may have noticed the initials PRE on your tax bill.  PRE stands for Principal Residence Exemption which is the new name for the Homestead Exemption.  This name change became effective on January 1, 2004.  If you own and occupy your home as your principal residence than you are eligible to receive an exemption from 18.0 mills of school taxes.  If your PRE shows 100% then you are recieving the exemption and a 0% indicates that you are not getting the exemption.  If you are receiving the exemption because you are farming the property, there will be a notation of Qualified Ag. with the appropriate percent.

 

When you buy and sell property, you must be sure to rescind the PRE at the home you are moving out of and file a new PRE for the home that you have moved into.  The PRE is filed in the township/city/village that the property is located in.  Most title company's will automatically take care of this paperwork for you at your closing.  We have the forms available for you at the township or you can download them from the following websites: