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The Assessing Department is responsible for the inventory of all property within Gaines Charter Township and the valuation of all of its taxable property.  We maintain records of current ownership, assessed and taxable values, property characteristics and market data.  This office follows the requirements of the General Property Tax Law of the State of Michigan.

In addition, the assessor is responsible for ensuring that every resident who qualifies receives a Principal Residence (Homestead) Exemption.  Property Transfers are also reviewed to determine whether or not a transferred property should be uncapped.

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Kelley Ziesemer

Assessor/Network Administrator
616-698-6640 Ext. 40
E-mail: kelley.ziesemer@gainestownship.org

Vicki VanderLugt

Assistant Assessor
616-698-6640 Ext. 29
E-mail: vicki.vanderlugt@gainestownship.org

Wendi Huston

Appraiser
616-698-6640 Ext. 15
E-Mail: wendi.huston@gainestownship.org

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• Annual changes of assessment are based on sales in the neighborhood.  We have at least 100 sales neighborhoods in Gaines Township.  Your neighborhood rarely consists of just the homes on your street.

• Your taxable value can never exceed your assessed value.

• Principal Residence Exemptions that are in effect January 1 each year stay in effect for the calendar year.

• The May 1 filing deadline for Principal Residence Exemptions applies to new applications only. You do not need to reapply each year.

• A property Transfer Affidavit must be filed whenever a real estate is trans.

• The assessor is not permitted by State Law to set your new assessment at one half of your purchase price.

• It is your responsibility as a taxpayer to review your property record card periodically to be sure you agree with all the information that is currently of record.

• The assessing staff is available Monday thru Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm . Feel free to come in or call (616) 698-6640 if you have any questions on your property. The assessing system is quite complex, and we are always willing to help our taxpayers understand how the system works.

Tax and Property Information

We have provided a link to BS&A software so that you can look up information pertaining to real property, special assessments, tax payments (current and history) and building permits. Please click here to be redirected to the BS&A website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question you may find the answer by looking at our departments list of Frequently Asked Questions.

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Application Forms and Permits

• Address Change Form

• Board of Review Appeal Form

• Homeowner's Principal Residence Exemption Affidavit

• Industrial Facilities Tax (I.F.T.) Policy and Guidelines

• I.F.T. Abatement Application

• Permit to Close a Business

• Personal Property Statement

• Poverty Exemption Application

• Property Transfer Affidavit

• Request to Rescind Homeowner's Principal Residence Exemption  

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Facts and Figures

Have you ever wondered how many properties there are in Gaines Township? What about all the growth, how has it affected these numbers? Here are a few statistics from the Assessor's office:  

Total properties in Gaines:

2008                    8146

1 year ago     8077

5 years ago    6959

Average Value (based on 2x AV) of a home in Gaines:

$185,634

Breakdown of Property Types:

85% Residential

1% Agricultural

11% Commercial, industrial, and personal

3% Exempt

School Districts:

Kentwood:  51% of the properties, 49% of the value

Caledonia: 29% of the properties, 35% of the value

Byron Center: 20% of the properties, 16% of the value

• 2008 Valuation Totals

• Gaines Township Sales Listed By Address

• 2007 Millage Chart

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Appeal Process

Assessment Notices are mailed by the end of February every year. It will detail the changes in Assessed and Taxable Value. It will also indicate when the Hearing Dates are for the March Board of Review. These dates are set by the General Property Tax Law of the State of Michigan. This is the only time during the year when a taxpayer can protest their valuation. The Hearings always begin on the second Monday of March and continue through the next day (Tuesday). Protesting at March Board of Review is a prerequisite for an appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. A letter of intent to appeal the decision of the March Board of Review must be received by the Michigan Tax Tribunal by July 31st of the year you appealed.

• Board of Review Appeal Form

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Poverty Exemption

• Poverty Exemption Application

• Poverty Exemption Guidelines

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Regional Geographic Information System (REGIS)

Aerial photos, bus, road and other information is now available to residents through the
REGIS Public Internet Mapping System, an agency of the Grand Valley Metro Council.
Click on the logo below for details:
 

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Links and Other Information

• Kent County

• State of Michigan Forms

• State of Michigan Tax Calculator

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Other Departments
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