Township of Washington

1 Charter Twp of Washington COUNTY OF MACOMB STATE OF MICHIGAN Dan O’Leary, Supervisor Stanley Babinski, Trustee Kathy Bosheers, Clerk Abby Jacobson, Trustee Mike Nicley, Treasurer Sebastiano Previti, Trustee Art Grimes, Trustee Guidelines for Poverty Hardship Exemption

Section 211.7u(1) of the Michigan General Property Tax Act defines the poverty or hardship exemption as a method to provide relief for those whom in the judgment of the Supervisor and the Board of Review are unable to full contribute to the annual property tax burden of their principal residence due to their financial situation.

In granting Poverty Exemptions, the Charter Township of Washington and the Board of Review realize that it represents a shift of those property taxes exempted to the other taxpayers of the Township. Poverty Exemptions are intended to assist those who are in a temporarily financial strait; it is NOT intended as a permanent or continuous subsidy.

To qualify for a Poverty Exemption, a homeowner must have a Principal Residence Exemption and provide the Assessing Office with all the information listed below or the application WILL NOT be considered by the Board of Review.

1. Written letter stating your hardship 2. Fully complete the Exemption Form 3. A copy of their Federal income Tax Return (1040 or 1040a) 4. Proof of ownership and residency of the property in which the tax relief is filled on. a. A Drivers license or method of identification b. A deed, land contract or other document of ownership 5. Must meet the Federal Poverty Exemption Guidelines. 6. All financial Institution balances will be taken into account. a. Stocks and bonds b. Life insurance policies c. Vehicles d. Interest income e. Any other assets 7. Gifts and contributions by all persons, living within your household, or not. 8. Extraordinary medical expenses may be taken into consideration. 9. The Board of Review shall follow the guidelines of the local Assessing unit in granting or denying and exemption, unless there are substantial and compelling reasons why there should be a deviating from the guidelines; these reasons shall be communicated in writing. 10. In accordance with PA 360 of 1994, the applicant must meet the “asset guidelines” adopted by the township board. 11. Applicant shall not have ownership interest in any real estate other than their homestead. 12. Applicants shall not have more than $10,000 in any savings or checking account.

Please be aware that as an applicant of a Poverty Hardship Exemption you must also comply with the following section of the Michigan complied tax laws: Section 211.118; Perjury: any person, who, under any of the proceedings required or permitted by this act shall willfully swear falsely, will be guilty of perjury and subject to its penalties.

Original Approval 04/16/14 Revision Level: 06 Revision Date: 01/17/18 2

B.O.R. Mar July Dec parcel number______

Letter / in person appointment Name______

Date______

Time______

Petition #______

Charter Township of Washington Macomb County Poverty Hardship Exemption Application Tax Year 2018

A DEADLINE

You must complete this application in full and return it, along with a copy of last year’s state and federal Income tax returns, with the Michigan Property Homestead Tax credit form (MI-CR) for each person residing in or contributing to the household. If not required to file a federal or state Income Tax Return, a filing exemption affidavit must accompany this application. This form must be returned to the Assessor’s Office before the last day of Board of Review.

B. STATEMENT

I ______being the owner and resident of the property listed below, desire to apply for Tax Relief under MCL 211.7u of the Michigan general Property Tax Act: (the principal residence of persons who, in the judgment of the supervisor and board of review, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute toward the public charges is eligible for exemption in whole or in part from taxation under this act.)

C. PROPERTY ADDRESS

Property Address______Parcel number______

How long have you lived at the above address?______

Legal Description______

D. APPLICANT INFORMATION

APPLICANT______CO OWNER______

Date of birth______Date of birth______

Phone Numbers Home (____)______Phone Numbers Home (____)______

Work (_____)______Work (____)______

Cell (_____)______Cell (____)______

Other contact number: name______Phone______

CURRENT MARITAL STATUS FOR HOW LONG?

_____ married _____ divorced _____widowed______Separated_____single ______

APPLICANT STATUS

_____employed ______full-time _____part time Employer______

Date of Hire______Occupation______

______Retired: date retired______Employer______

______Laid off: last date worked______Employer______

______Disabled: last date worked______Employer______

Possible return date______Cause______

______Not working – How long______Reason______

Describe any disability or health problems______

______

SPOUSE OR CO OWNER STATUS

_____employed ______full-time _____part time Employer______

Date of Hire______Occupation______

______Retired: date retired______Employer______

______Laid off: last date worked______Employer______

______Disabled: last date worked______Employer______

Possible return date______Cause______

______Not working – How long______Reason______

Describe any disability or health problems______

RESIDENT INFORMATION

List all people, not listed above, living in your household. (Attach additional sheet if necessary).

Full name

Age Yes No Yes No Yes No Dependent

Relationship

Occupation

Annual income

Do they contribute Yes No Yes No Yes No to the household income?

Amount of contribution

Full name

Age Yes No Yes No Yes No Dependent

Relationship

Occupation

Annual income Do they contribute Yes No Yes No Yes No to the household income?

Amount of contribution

E. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

Does any other person not listed above make any financial contribution to the Household? If yes how much?

Person’s Name______Monthly Contribution ______

Type of monetary contribution______Other______

F. PROPERTY

Are you and/or your spouse sole owners of the property? ______yes ______no

If no list all owners and their percentage of ownership of the property______

When did you and/or your spouse purchase this Homestead? ______

Is this home paid in full? ______yes ______no

If no, how many years are left on the mortgage? ______

If no, how much money is left on the mortgage or land contract? ______

What is your monthly payment? ______Taxes Included? ______

Are any mortgage payments delinquent? ______how much? ______

Are any tax payments delinquent? ______how much?______

If yes please previous years and amounts of delinquent taxes______

Have any improvements, changes or additions been made to the property within the last 2 years?___

______If yes please explain ______

Are there any changes or additions that need to be made to the property? ------

------If yes please explain______

G. OTHER REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS

Do you, your spouse, or any other person residing in the homestead have a financial interest in any other real estate?______If yes please provide the following information concerning that financial Original Approval 04/16/14 Revision Level: 06 Revision Date: 01/17/18 7

interest.

Location-City State Tax ID or property Value of property Amount of Equity number $ $

H. ASSET INFORMATION (must be completed)

What are your current assets; in addition to the real estate noted previously?

Cash $

Checking accounts $

Savings accounts $

CD’s money markets $

Stocks, bonds, treasury bills $

Insurance policy (surrender cash value) $

Retirement accounts $

Personal property (jewelry old coins, collections) $

Other (please explain) $

List all motor vehicles in household (whether paid in full or not) including cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles i.e.: boats, motorcycles, motor homes, travel trailers, jet skis, snow mobiles, ATV’s, etc. Use additional pages if necessary.

Vehicles: Year Make Model mileage Date Purchase Purchase Balance acquired or lease price

Recreation Vehicles: Year Make Model

I. INCOME INFORMATION

Please list all sources of your personal income on a monthly basis.

SOURCE APPLICANT SPOUSE

$ $ Employment $ $ Social Security $ $ Pension – from $ $ Unemployment / worker compensation $ $ General assistance - type $ $ Child Support / Alimony $ $ Family Support / gifts - from $ $ Interest (taxable & non Taxable);

Original Approval 04/16/14 Revision Level: 06 Revision Date: 01/17/18 9 dividends $ $ Rental Income $ $ Other Income______$ $ Other monetary assistance - source

Has your income significantly changed in the last year? ______yes ______no. If yes, please

Explain.______

Do you receive food stamps, a bridge card or other public assistance? ______yes ______no.

Amount $______per month. Benefits received for:______

J. EXPENSE INFORMATION

Please list all sources of household expenses on a Monthly basis.

$ House payment $ Child care / day care $ Taxes on other property $ Special Assessments $ Home insurance $ Car payment #1 $

Car payment #2 $ Auto Insurance $ Health Insurance (include prescription coverage) $ Medical Bills (not covered by insurance) $ Prescriptions (not covered by insurance) $ Cell Phone $ Cable / Satellite $ Internet $ Utilities: gas, electric, water $ Other; (please explain)______

Have your expenses significantly change in the last year? ______yes ______no If yes please

Explain______

Do you anticipate any major changes in income for the coming year? ______yes ______no If yes

please explain______

Are any household expenses paid for by another party? ______yes ______no ****if yes please

provide a statement including exactly what is paid, when how much and by whom.

K. DEBT INFORMATION

Please list any outstanding loans, credit cards and personal debts. (Attach a separate sheet if necessary) MONTHLY TO WHOM FOR WHAT PAYMENT BALANCE

Do you expect to sell the homestead for which the tax relief is being sought within the next year?

______yes ______no / If yes please explain______

Persons in household 2018 Federal Poverty Level Threshold 100% FPL

1 $12,060 2 $16,240 3 $20,420 4 $24,600 5 $28,780 6 $32,960 7 $37,140 8 $41,320

If your family contains more than 8 people add $4,180 for each additional person.

Charter Twp of Washington COUNTY OF MACOMB STATE OF MICHIGAN Dan O’Leary, Supervisor Stanley Babinski, Trustee Kathy Bosheers, Clerk Abby Jacobson, Trustee Mike Nicley, Treasurer Sebastiano Previti, Trustee Art Grimes, Trustee

Real property tax poverty exemption resolution

Whereas, Section 211.7u of Act No. 206 of the Public Acts of 1893, as amended, provides that the homestead of a person who, in the judgment of the Supervisor and Board of Review, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute toward the public charges are eligible for exemption in whole or in part from taxation under the Act; and,

Whereas, said section provide certain eligibility requirements for exemption under said section; and,

Whereas, said section requires that an applicant meet the Federal Poverty Income Standards as defined and determined annually by the United State Office of Management and Budget or alternative guidelines adopted by the governing body of the local assessing unit; provided, however, such alternative guidelines do not provide income eligibility requirements less than the Federal Guidelines; and,

Whereas, The Board of Trustees of the Township of Washington is the governing body of the local assessing unit; and

Now, Therefore, be it resolved that the following standards be adopted in relation to applications for the Real Property Poverty Exemption;

In order to qualify for the Poverty Exemption, the claimant MUST meet all of the following requirements. It may be possible that a claimant meets the income standard for the Poverty Exemption but not meet the asset standard or other standards as set forth in these guidelines.

The Board of Review shall follow these guidelines when granting or denying a Poverty Exemption. The same standards shall apply to each claimant in the Township for the assessment year “unless the Board of Review determines that there are substantial and compelling reasons why there should be a deviation from the guidelines and the substantial and compelling reasons are communicated in writing to the claimant.”

In granting Poverty Exemptions, the Township of Washington and the Board of Review realizes that this represents a shift of those property taxes exempted to the other taxpayers of the Township. Poverty exemptions are intended to assist those who are in temporary financial straits are NOT intended as a permanent or continuous subsidy. Poverty exemptions shall apply only to the applicant’s qualified homestead and the property must be classified as RESIDENTIAL for property tax purposes. Under no circumstance shall a poverty exemption be granted of apply to the property of a business, partnership or corporation.

To be eligible for exemption by reason of poverty, a person shall do all of the following on an annual basis:

1. Applicants MUST be an owner of and occupy as a homestead (as defined by MCL 211.7c) the property for which an exemption is being requested. Vacant, unplatted, contiguous land shall not qualify as homestead property for purposed of these guidelines. 2. Applicants MUST file a completed “Poverty Exemption Application” with the Board of Review on a form provided by the Assessing Department and include a copy of their Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim and State of Michigan Income Tax returns / and all supporting documents and schedules for ALL PERSONS residing in the homestead, including any property tax credit returns (MI-1040CR), filed in the immediately preceding year or in the current year. 3. Applicants must provide a valid driver’s license or other form of identification and must also provide a copy of a deed, land contract or other evidence of ownership of the property for which an exemption is requested by the Assessor or Board of Review. 4. Applicants MUST meet poverty income standards determined by the Charter Township of Washington. These standards shall be posted annually in the Assessing Department and made available upon request at no charge. These income standards will be based upon the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The Board of Review shall consider income from all sources and from all occupants of the homestead when determining whether an Applicant meets Township poverty income standards as established by the Township Board of Trustees.

The Board of Review shall also take into consideration certain household assets:

 The amount of money the applicant has in checking and savings accounts, with the total not to exceed $10,000.  Ownership interest in real estate other than the homestead. Applicants shall not have ownership of or interest in, real estate other than the qualified homestead.  The applicant must meet the asset guidelines as adopted by the Township Board (see attached).

Charter Twp of Washington COUNTY OF MACOMB STATE OF MICHIGAN Dan O’Leary, Supervisor Stanley Babinski, Trustee Kathy Bosheers, Clerk Abby Jacobson, Trustee Mike Nicley, Treasurer Sebastiano Previti, Trustee Art Grimes, Trustee

Board of Review

Asset Guidelines Used in the Determination Of Poverty Exemptions for 2018

As required by PA 360 of 1994, all guidelines for poverty exemptions as established by the governing body of the local assessing unit SHALL also include an asset level test. The following asset test shall apply to all applications for poverty exemption.

1. The Taxable Value of resident cannot exceed $135,000 (TCV of $270,000).

2. The Applicant shall not exceed a total assets (Including the value of the principal residence) of $300,000.

Assets may include but are not limited to:

 Bank accounts  Stocks and bonds  IRA’s and other investment accounts  Pensions  Money received from the sale of property such as stocks, bonds, a house or vehicles.  Excess or vacant land.  Recreational vehicles*.  Equipment  Extraordinary automobiles  Other personal property of value.

*Recreational Vehicles may include snowmobiles, boats, camping trailers, travel trailers, motorcycles, jet skis, motor home, off road vehicles or any vehicle that may be considered recreational.

Original Approval 04/16/14 Revision Level: 06 Revision Date: 01/17/18