My tax bill jumped.

In Michigan there are four usual suspects, and one of them is famous. Work down the list — most people find their answer at the first stop.

1. 1

   You bought the place recently

   The likeliest cause. Michigan caps how fast Taxable Value can grow — until the property sells. The year after a sale, the cap comes off and the bill resets to the home's real value. It has a name: uncapping, the pop-up.

   Property-tax uncapping →Calculate your post-sale bill →
2. 2

   Your PRE is missing

   If the bill shows the non-homestead rate on the home you live in, the Principal Residence Exemption isn't applied — that's up to 18 extra mills of school tax. Common after a purchase when the form never got filed.

   The PRE and how to claim it →
3. 3

   Voters passed something

   A new school bond, a public-safety millage, a library renewal — local ballots change local bills. Your town's page shows the current rates by school district, so you can see what moved.

   Look up your town's rates →
4. 4

   The assessment itself went up

   If none of the above fits, the assessor may simply value the home higher. You can challenge that — but the window is specific: the March Board of Review first, the Tax Tribunal after.

   How to appeal your assessment →