Michigan Porch

Topic

Money & Taxes

Between city income taxes, state credits, and everything else, Michigan's money rules get confusing fast. Here's what helps you understand what you owe and keep more of your paycheck.

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City income tax in St. Clair County

Port Huron levies a city income tax, while St. Clair County's other St.-Clair-only cities do not.

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Does Montmorency County have a city income tax?

Montmorency County has no incorporated city, so there is no local city income tax anywhere in the county.

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Does St. Ignace have a city income tax?

St. Ignace and the rest of Mackinac County do not levy a local city income tax.

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Good news on city income tax in Newaygo County

Fremont, Grant, Newaygo, and White Cloud do not levy a city income tax, so Newaygo County has no local income tax on paychecks.

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Hart has no city income tax

Hart is the only city in Oceana County, and it does not levy a local city income tax.

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Is there a city income tax in Alpena County?

Alpena County has no local income tax: Alpena is the county's only city, and it does not levy one.

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Is there a city income tax in Cheboygan County?

Cheboygan County has no local income tax: Cheboygan is the county's only city, and it does not levy one.

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No city income tax in Onaway

Onaway does not levy a local city income tax, so residents generally pay only Michigan's state income tax unless they commute to a taxing city.

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No city income tax in Rogers City

Rogers City does not levy a local city income tax, so residents generally pay only state and federal income tax.

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The Principal Residence Exemption in Leelanau Township

When you buy property in Leelanau Township as your primary home, filing for the Principal Residence Exemption — and a Property Transfer Affidavit — are the first tax steps to take care of.

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Do Cadillac or Manton have a city income tax?

Cadillac and Manton do not levy a city income tax, so Wexford County residents owe state income tax but no local paycheck tax.

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Do Lake City or McBain have a city income tax?

Lake City and McBain do not levy a city income tax, so Missaukee County has no local income tax on paychecks.

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Good news on city income tax in Mason County

Ludington and Scottville do not levy a city income tax, so Mason County has no local income tax on paychecks.

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Does Frankfort have a city income tax?

Frankfort does not levy a city income tax, so Benzie County buyers do not owe a local tax on their paycheck.

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No city income tax in Grand Traverse County

Traverse City does not levy a local city income tax, so Grand Traverse County residents do not file a separate city income-tax return.

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Do you pay the Big Rapids income tax out here? Only if you work in the city

Big Rapids Township and Green Township residents do not owe Big Rapids resident income tax unless they live in the city.

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Gaylord has no city income tax

Gaylord does not levy a city income tax, so Otsego County buyers do not need a separate city return.

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Good news on city income tax in West Branch and Rose City

West Branch and Rose City do not charge a city income tax.

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Good news on local income tax in Roscommon

Roscommon County has no cities, so the village of Roscommon does not have a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Charlevoix County

Charlevoix County's three cities do not levy a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Emmet County

Petoskey and Harbor Springs do not levy a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Gladwin or Beaverton

Gladwin and Beaverton do not charge a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Harrisville

Harrisville is Alcona County's only city, and it does not levy a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Reed City or Evart

Neither Reed City nor Evart charges a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Standish, Au Gres, or Omer

None of Arenac County's three cities charges a local city income tax.

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No city income tax in Tawas City, East Tawas, or Whittemore

Iosco County's three cities do not charge a city income tax.

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Hudson has a city income tax

Hudson is one of Michigan's cities with a local income tax for residents and nonresidents who work inside the city.

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Jackson has a city income tax

Jackson is one of Michigan's cities with a local income tax for residents and nonresidents who work inside the city.

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No city income tax

Sandusky, Croswell, Marlette, and Brown City do not charge a local city income tax.

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No city income tax here

Alma, Ithaca, and St. Louis do not charge a local city income tax.

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No city income tax here

Bad Axe, Harbor Beach, and Caseville do not charge a local city income tax, unlike some other Michigan cities.

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No city income tax in Imlay City

Imlay City does not charge a local city income tax, unlike nearby Lapeer.

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Saginaw has a city income tax — and it's on the higher side

The city of Saginaw has a higher-tier Michigan city income tax for residents and nonresidents who work inside the city.

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This city has a local income tax

Some Michigan cities charge the standard local income tax: 1% for residents and 0.5% for nonresidents who work in the city.

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Three Calhoun cities have a local income tax

Battle Creek, Albion, and Springfield each levy a local income tax on residents and nonresidents who work in the city.

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A city income tax in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights

Muskegon and Muskegon Heights both have a local city income tax, unlike the rest of Muskegon County's cities and townships.

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Benton Harbor has a city income tax

Benton Harbor is one of Michigan's local-income-tax cities, with a 1% resident rate and 0.5% nonresident work-in-city rate.

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Buying in a township? Watch for special assessments on top of your taxes

Michigan township buyers should check for special assessments that can add separate road, sewer, water, lighting, sidewalk, or drain charges.

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Buying in the city of Ypsilanti? No income tax — but the city's still paying off a big debt

Ypsilanti has no city income tax, but its Water Street redevelopment debt still shapes the city's budget and tax picture.

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Dexter used to be a village in two townships — becoming a city in 2014 simplified the taxes

Dexter became a city in 2014, ending its old village-plus-township tax setup and unifying local government.

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Do any Macomb County cities have a local income tax?

Macomb County has no city income tax in any of its cities or townships, so property tax is the main local tax to watch.

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Does Ann Arbor have a city income tax? No — but the question keeps coming back

Ann Arbor has no city income tax, but voters and city leaders have revisited the idea several times over the years.

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Flint has a city income tax (and it's moving to state processing)

Flint charges a 1% resident and 0.5% nonresident city income tax, with state processing scheduled for the 2026 tax year.

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How Michigan State University shapes East Lansing — including your taxes

Michigan State University defines East Lansing's economy, housing market, taxable land base, and city-income-tax story.

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How the University of Michigan shapes Ann Arbor — including your tax bill

The University of Michigan drives Ann Arbor's economy, housing demand, culture, and a long-running property-tax-base debate.

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In Michigan, you get two property-tax bills a year — not one

Most Michigan property owners get separate summer and winter tax bills, with local rules deciding what lands on each bill.

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Lansing and East Lansing both have a city income tax

Lansing and East Lansing both charge a local income tax, with 1% resident and 0.5% nonresident rates under Michigan's city-income-tax system.

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Live in a Michigan village? You pay an extra layer of property tax

Michigan village residents usually pay village property taxes on top of township taxes, so the village boundary can change a buyer's total rate.

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Porch Note

Manchester became a city in 2023 — what that changed

Manchester became a city in late 2023, leaving Manchester Township and moving tax collection, assessing, and elections into one city government.

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Porch Note

Which Grand Rapids-area cities charge a local income tax?

In Kent County, Grand Rapids and Walker charge a local income tax, while most nearby suburbs do not.

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