Treasury Department

When should I expect to receive my property tax bills and when are they due?

Our summer property tax bills are mailed yearly in mid-June and are payable without penalty thru September 14. Our winter property tax bills are mailed yearly in mid-November and are payable without penalty thru February 14. Due dates falling on a weekend or holiday will be extended to the following City business day. Note: The property tax lien dates are: Summer tax bill - July 1; Winter tax bill - December 1.

My tax bill indicates a mortgage company will be paying my bill but my taxes are not escrowed. What should I do?

Please call our Treasury Department at 248-656-4675 so we can remove the mortgage company from our tax records. You may use this bill to pay your taxes. If your tax bill for the next tax season still shows a mortgage company, you will need to contact them to correct their records.

My tax bill doesn't indicate that a mortgage company will be paying my property taxes but my taxes are paid thru escrow. What should I do?

Contact your mortgage company so they can correct their records as they did not request your bill. You may send your bill on to the mortgage company for payment. Or you can call us and request that we mail a copy of your bill to your mortgage company. Please contact us so we can add your mortgage company to our tax records.

I did not receive my tax bill. What should I do?

Please call our Treasury Department at 248-656-4675 to request a bill.  Note: Failure to receive a tax bill does not waive interest and/or penalties.

I received a delinquent water/sewer or special assessment notice and did not pay it by September 1. Will this appear on my tax bill?

If you do not pay your delinquent bills or assessments by September 1, they will appear on your winter tax bill. If you pay the delinquent assessment before November 1, your payment will be indicated on the winter tax bill.

I recently purchased my home. Will my taxes on this home be about the same amount as the prior owner's taxes?

No. When a property is sold, the Taxable Value (which the tax bill is based on) becomes uncapped to the SEV (State Equalized Value). There could be a substantial increase in your tax depending on the difference between the Taxable Value and the State Equalized Value of your property. Treasury Department at 248-656-4675 can supply you with an estimated property tax amount based on the uncapping.

I have not been claiming a homestead exemption on my home. What should I do?

Contact our Assessing Department as 248-656-4605 to correct your homestead status. Recent tax law changes allow the City to correct the homestead status for the current year and 3 years back. If you are due a refund for prior year tax payments, your refund will be issued by the Oakland County Treasurer's Office.

I do not have children in school. Is there a property tax exemption for this?

No. If your property is 100% homestead, you are already exempted from paying the 18 mills school operating tax. You should complete State form 1040CR, Homestead Property Tax Credit, to determine if you are eligible for a refund from the State for your property taxes. If you are eligible for a refund, you may defer payment of your summer and winter taxes with the City thru February 28. You must contact our office to be eligible for the deferment.

I will not be able to pay my tax bill on time. What should I do?

Current year property taxes are payable to the City of Rochester Hills up to March 1 of the following year. On March 1, the taxes are delinquent and are payable to the Oakland County Treasurer. Please be aware that laws regarding delinquent property taxes were changed and properties with delinquent taxes remaining unpaid for two years will be foreclosed. Please direct questions regarding delinquent taxes to the Oakland County Treasurer at 248-858-0611. For further information about delinquent taxes please log on to the Oakland County website.

I own a dog or a cat.  What do I need to do?

Per State Law, all dogs four months or older are required to be licensed.  Residents of Oakland County's service area may purchase a license at the City Treasury Department, Oakland County Animal Control or at a participating veterinarian.  Licenses must be renewed yearly by June 1. In order to acquire or renew a license, your dog's rabies certificate must be presented.  To purchase a dog license at the City Treasury Department, you must make your check payable to the "City of Rochester Hills".  Dog licenses are $15.00 but are discounted to $7.50 for spayed or neutered dogs (must show proof).  Dog owners 65 years or older also get a senior citizens discount. Delinquent dog licenses, those not renewed by June 1, cost $30.00.  Per City ordinance, you must apply for a kennel license to keep more than 3 dogs.  Kennel licenses are only permitted in the "light industrial districts" of our City.  The City Building Department at 248-656-4615 handles all ordinance violations. To report a roaming dog you may contact Oakland County Animal Control at 248-391-4102.  At this time, there is no requirement in our City to license cats but cat licenses are available for a one-time fee of $7.50.  Your cat's rabies certificate must be presented when you apply for the license.