The Detroit Quantum Renaissance: DOJ, MIED, FBI & A Bunch Of People Who Actually Care About The Poors Of Detroit

Welcome to the Detroit Quantum Renaissance.

Much love the Michigan Eastern District U.S. Attorney's Office and the Detroit Federal Bureau of Investigation to stop the stealin' of children, land & votes.

Low-income in Detroit? How to pay lower property taxes

Thanks to a newly approved ordinance, it may be easier for low-income Detroit residents to apply for poverty tax exemption — and avoid foreclosure — starting next year. But before that kicks in, take note: There's still time to apply for an exemption on 2018 taxes before the Dec. 10 deadline.

In July, the American Civil Liberties Union and Detroit settled a lawsuit that claimed the city's poverty exemption program was tough to apply for and wasn't well-publicized. Detroit will have to "streamline" its application process and provide more notice to low-income residents. The new ordinance solidifies those requirements into law and expands upon them.

Here's what you need to know about applying before Dec. 10 and beyond:

What is a poverty tax exemption?

Homeowners pay property taxes. But some low-income homeowners may struggle to pay their property taxes, leading to foreclosure.

Poverty tax exemption allows low-income homeowners to get some or all of their taxes exempted to help lift that burden. In Detroit, the exemptions come through the Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program.

Do I qualify?

If you live alone in your home, you must make $16,660 a year or less to receive a 100 percent exemption. You must make $19,160 a year or less for a 50 percent, or partial, exemption.

See page three of the 2018 application for the full breakdown depending on how many people you live with.

How do I apply?

If you think you might be eligible, you're strongly encouraged to go to a workshop led by a nonprofit agency, which will help fill out the application, said Alexa Eisenberg, a member of the coalition that helped draft the ordinance. Workshop leaders will help you square away the application, get it notarized and turn it in for you. 

Workshops are available at the following dates and locations:

• District 1 and 2: Monday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Focus Hope, 1400 Oakman Blvd.
• District 3 and 4: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Alkebulan Village, 7701 Harper Ave.
• District 5: Tuesday, Dec. 4t, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Central Detroit Christian, 1550 Taylor St.
• District 6: Friday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St.
• District 7: Thursday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center, 19321 W Chicago St.

Otherwise, see the 2018 application here. You will need to print it, fill it out, get it notarized and turn it in to the address on the first page of the form: OCFO – Office of the Assessor, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Room 804, Detroit, Michigan 48226. You might consider mailing it with a return receipt requested.

To ask the City of Detroit questions about the application, call 313-224-6214 or 313-628-0723.

What do I need for the application?

You will need ALL of the following items and should bring them to the workshop, according to the Quicken Loans Community Fund:

• Deed for the home in your name
• Current ID for all adults over 18
• Proof of income for everyone over 18 (Ex.: W2’s, paystubs, SSI/SSD, food stamps, etc.)
• Proof of expenses (Ex.: current utility bills,tax payment plan, medical bills, credit card bills, etc.)
• Financial Assets (Ex.: Bank statement, 401k, insurance settlement, etc.)
• Report cards for school age children
• Notarized letter of help from anyone who is assisting you financially
• 2017 Federal & State income tax return

Do I have to get it notarized?

Yes. But starting in fiscal year 2019, when the new ordinance takes effect, you may be exempt if you're of advanced age, provide caretaker services to a dependent or have limited physical mobility.

Is there an application fee?

No.

When will I know the status of my application?

Sometime before or at the beginning of the new year, you'll get notice via mail of the status of your exemption.

To be clear, the Dec. 10 application round is to exempt your 2018 property taxes. If you already paid, you will get a refund for your exemption. 

Will I have to apply again next year?

Yes. Exemptions only cover one tax year at a time. However, the new ordinance will allow some people who have received the exemption in past years to do an abridged version of the application. Ask about that next year.

More:

It just got easier for poor Detroiters to get poverty tax exemptions

 Lawsuit filed over property taxes paid by Michigan lawmaker

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©