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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Leelanau County
Property Tax Guide

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

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
18-25 mills (1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value), varies significantly by taxing district location
1st Due
Jul 1
2nd Due
Dec 1
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Leelanau County property taxes are the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, county government operations, fire protection, libraries, and other community services. Property owners pay taxes based on their property's assessed value multiplied by the applicable millage rate for their specific location within the county.

The effective property tax rate in Leelanau County varies significantly by location due to different combinations of special taxing districts, but typically ranges from approximately 18-25 mills (1.8% to 2.5% of assessed value). For the 2025 tax year, rates include components such as the Traverse City Area Public Schools millage renewal of 20.0616 mills (effective 2026-2035) in applicable areas. Your actual tax rate depends on which school district, township, and special assessment districts serve your specific property location.

Property taxes in Leelanau County are collected on a fiscal year basis, with winter tax bills typically mailed December 1st and due by March 2nd of the following year. All property tax credits and exemptions require formal application and are not automatically applied to your tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
County Operating~2.5-4.0General county services, sheriff, courts
School Operating~18.0000Local school district operations (varies by district)
School Debt~2.0616Traverse City Area Public Schools bond (2026-2035 in applicable areas)
Township/Municipal~1.0-3.0Local government services (varies by jurisdiction)
Fire Protection~0.5-2.0Fire department services (varies by district)
Library~0.5-1.0Public library services (varies by district)
Special AssessmentsVariesRoad maintenance, drainage, etc. (location-specific)

Total Estimated Range: 18-25 mills for FY 2025-2026

Note: Actual rates vary significantly by specific location within Leelanau County based on your school district, township, and special taxing districts. Contact your local assessor for your exact millage rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Leelanau 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 property taxes in Leelanau County are triggered when there are changes to property ownership, new construction completion, or significant property improvements that increase assessed value during the tax year. These supplemental bills represent the additional tax owed from the date of the triggering event through the end of the current fiscal year.

The supplemental tax is calculated by determining the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, multiplying by the applicable tax rate, then prorating based on the number of months remaining in the tax year. For example, if a $50,000 home addition is completed in October and increases your assessed value by $25,000, with a total tax rate of 22 mills, you would owe approximately ($25,000 × 0.022 × 5/12 months) = $229 in supplemental taxes for the remainder of that fiscal year.

Supplemental tax bills are mailed separately from regular tax bills and typically have a 30-day payment deadline from the date of mailing.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if qualified): Limits assessment increases
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: 22 mills (2.2%)
  • Annual Tax: $6,600
  • Monthly Escrow: $550

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if qualified): Limits assessment increases
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: 23 mills (2.3%)
  • Annual Tax: $13,800
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,150

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if qualified): Limits assessment increases
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: 24 mills (2.4%)
  • Annual Tax: $24,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $2,000

Note: All tax credits require application and approval. Homestead credits limit annual assessment increases but do not reduce market value. Actual rates vary by specific location within the county.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Leelanau County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely tax payments. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments as part of your mortgage payment, typically 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill plus a small cushion for potential increases.

Lenders typically pay your winter property taxes directly to Leelanau County by the March 2nd deadline. Your lender will receive the tax bill and handle payment processing. However, property owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid on time, even when using escrow services.

Each year, your lender conducts an escrow analysis to compare actual tax payments with collected escrow funds. If your property taxes increase due to assessment changes or millage rate adjustments, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. You can verify your current tax amount and payment status through the Leelanau County Treasurer's office online portal or by contacting your local tax collecting unit directly.

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

When are property taxes due in Leelanau County? Winter property tax bills are mailed December 1, 2025, and are due by 5:00 PM on March 2, 2026, for the FY 2025-2026 tax year. Summer tax bills (if applicable in your jurisdiction) typically have different due dates.

What homestead tax credits are available? The Principal Residence Exemption (Homestead Credit) limits annual taxable value increases and requires application. This credit must be filed with your local assessor and is subject to audit by the County Treasurer's Office. It does not reduce your property's market value but caps assessment growth.

Do tax credits apply automatically? No. All property tax credits and exemptions in Leelanau County require formal application and approval. They are not automatically applied to your tax bill. Contact your local assessor's office for application forms and deadlines.

How often are properties reassessed? Michigan law requires annual assessment reviews, but full reassessments vary by jurisdiction within Leelanau County. Your local assessor determines the specific schedule for your area.

What are the penalties for late tax payments? Late payment penalties and interest charges apply after the March 2nd deadline. Contact the Leelanau County Treasurer's office at (231) 256-8196 for specific penalty rates and payment options.

Can I pay property taxes online? Yes, most jurisdictions in Leelanau County offer online payment options. Check with your specific tax collecting unit (township or city) for available online payment portals and accepted payment methods.

How do special assessment districts affect my tax rate? Special districts for services like fire protection, libraries, and road maintenance create additional millages that vary by location. Your total tax rate depends on which combination of districts serve your specific property address.

How do I appeal my property assessment? Assessment appeals must be filed with your local Board of Review during their annual meeting period, typically in March. Contact your local assessor's office for specific dates, procedures, and required documentation for appeals.

What triggers a supplemental tax bill? Ownership changes, completed new construction, major improvements, or other events that change your property's assessed value during the tax year trigger prorated supplemental tax bills for the remainder of that fiscal year.

How can I report suspected homestead exemption fraud? Anonymous reports of suspected fraudulent homestead exemptions can be made by calling the Leelanau County Treasurer's office at (231) 256-8196.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
2025 Leelanau County Equalization Reportleelanau.gov
02
County
COUNTY TOWNSHIPSgtcountymi.gov
03
Equalization - Documents And Formsleelanau.gov
04
Suttons Bay Townshipleelanau.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Foreclosure Timelineleelanau.gov
06
Summary as Reported from House Committee (6/21/2022)legislature.mi.gov
07
Homestead Exemptionleelanau.gov
08
County
Leelanau Countyleelanau.gov
09
Frequently Asked Questionsleelanau.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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