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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Clinton County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Clinton County, MI. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1.17% to 1.50% of assessed value (varies by taxing district combination)
1st Due
Jul 1
2nd Due
Dec 1
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Clinton County, Michigan operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, public safety, road maintenance, and county operations. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these services, with tax rates varying significantly based on your specific location within the county due to different combinations of special taxing districts such as school districts, fire departments, library districts, and municipal authorities.

The effective tax rate in Clinton County typically ranges around 1.17% to 1.50% of assessed value, though this can vary considerably depending on which taxing jurisdictions apply to your property. Your actual tax rate is determined by combining the county base rate with rates from your local township, school district, and any special assessment districts that serve your area. Properties are assessed at approximately 50% of true cash value (market value) as required by Michigan law.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $1,000)Description
Clinton County6.0140Base county operations, courts, sheriff
Township (Example: Johnson)1.2070Local township services, varies by township
School DistrictVariesK-12 education, typically largest component
Intermediate School DistrictVariesRegional educational services
Community CollegeVariesLocal community college funding
Library DistrictVariesPublic library services (where applicable)
Fire/EMS DistrictsVariesEmergency services (where applicable)

Rates shown are for Tax Year 2025 (payable in 2025-2026). Total millage rates typically range from 30-45 mills depending on your specific combination of taxing jurisdictions. Contact the Clinton County Equalization Department for your exact millage rate breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Clinton County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Jul 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Dec 1
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Clinton County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are mid-year changes to property ownership, value, or use. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase assessed value, changes from exempt to taxable status, or corrections to previous assessments.

Supplemental taxes are calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in January that increases your assessed value by $25,000 (50% of market value), and your total millage rate is 35 mills, you would owe an additional $875 in supplemental taxes for that year ($25,000 × 0.035 = $875).

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Credit

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value: $150,000 (50% of market value)
  • Less: Homestead Credit Applied: $18,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $132,000
  • Tax Rate: 35.0 mills (example combined rate)
  • Annual Tax: $4,620
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $385

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead Credit

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit Applied: $18,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $282,000
  • Tax Rate: 38.5 mills
  • Annual Tax: $10,857
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $905

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home (No Credits Applied)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value: $500,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $500,000
  • Tax Rate: 42.0 mills
  • Annual Tax: $21,000
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $1,750

Note: Credits shown require annual application and approval. Rates vary by specific taxing district combination.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Clinton County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment or upon borrower request. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment, depositing these funds into an escrow account. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to Clinton County when they become due, typically in July and December installments.

Lenders are required to provide annual escrow statements showing collections, payments, and account balances. They may adjust your monthly escrow payment based on actual tax bills and projected changes. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or millage changes, expect your monthly mortgage payment to adjust accordingly. You can request escrow account details from your lender and should verify that payments are made on time to avoid penalties. Property owners with escrowed taxes should still monitor their tax bills for accuracy and file any necessary credit applications independently.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Clinton County property taxes due for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due February 17, 2026 without penalty. In-person payments have an extended deadline to March 2, 2026. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: The primary credit is the Homestead Property Tax Credit (Principal Residence Exemption), which must be filed annually and can reduce taxable value by up to $18,000. Veterans' exemptions, senior citizen credits, and disability credits are also available but require separate applications with specific deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit caps the annual increase in your property's taxable value (not market value) and provides additional tax relief. You must file Form 2368 with the assessor by May 1st following the tax year. This is not automatic and must be renewed if you move or change ownership.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Michigan law requires annual assessment updates. Major reassessments typically occur every 3-5 years. You can appeal your assessment during the March Board of Review meetings in your township.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Properties become delinquent on March 1st with interest charges beginning immediately. Additional collection fees apply, and properties can eventually be subject to foreclosure for unpaid taxes.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, Clinton County offers online payment options through their official website. Credit card and electronic check payments are typically accepted with associated processing fees.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Clinton County? A: Different combinations of school districts, townships, fire districts, library districts, and other special authorities create varying total millage rates across different areas of the county.

Q: How do I find my exact millage rate? A: Contact the Clinton County Equalization Department or check your annual property tax statement, which itemizes all applicable millage rates for your specific property location.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Itemized Property Tax Information - Auditor - Clinton Countyauditor.clintoncounty12.us
02
Tax Doc
2025 Ad Valorem Property Tax Reportmichigan.gov
03
County
Auditor: Tax Rates - Clinton Countyauditor.clintoncounty12.us
04
Tax Doc
7-23-12) - PROP. TAX COLLECTION; RESERVE FUNDlegislature.mi.gov
05
Tax Doc
Winter Taxes Due February 17, 2026 – In Person March 2 ...eagletownshipmi.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Taxeagletownshipmi.gov
07
County
Clinton County Auditorco.clinton.oh.us
08
County
Property Tax Calculation - Clinton Countyauditor.clintoncounty12.us
09
Principal Residence Exemption | DeWitt, MIdewitttownship.gov
10
Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 62/Thursday, March 31, 2011 ...govinfo.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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