Exemptions

Check if you’re eligible

To qualify for the Disabled Veterans exemption, you need to be:

• A Michigan resident
• Living in the home you own (commonly referred to as your homestead)
• Disabled as a result of your service from which you were honorably discharged and meeting at least one of three criteria detailed in the law, or the surviving spouse of the eligible disabled Veteran, and you have not remarried

Want to review the law that was written for this exemption? Read it here.

Gather your documentation

You’ll need to file for this exemption every year. You can file for the upcoming tax year starting January 1st, and up until the Board of Review concludes in December. It’s a good idea to pick a month before December and make a reminder for yourself to file every year.

You’ll need to send a copy of your DD214 along with your original, completed affidavit and one of the following documents:

• Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs stating you are 100% disabled
• Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs saying you are receiving or have received payment assistance for specially adapted housing
• Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs saying you are individually unemployable

Are you the legal designee of the Disabled Veteran or surviving spouse? You’ll need to provide proof that you can file for them.

Complete the Michigan Affidavit 5107

The form you use to apply for this exemption is a State of Michigan form called the State Tax Commission Affidavit for Disabled Veterans Exemption. 

You can fill out the form on your computer, but you’ll need to print it and sign it before turning in the original to the City Assessor’s Office. Don’t have a printer? You can pick up the form at our office.

Download and Print the Disabled Veterans Exemption Affidavit

Mail your documents to our office

If you’re ready to submit, mail your affidavit and supporting documentation to the address listed in the Contact Us section of this page.

We’ll review your application

We’ll send your application on to the Board of Review. Keep in mind that their process could take months to get you a notice of approval or denial.

Check your eligibility

You could qualify for the poverty exemption if you:

• Live in the home you own (commonly referred to as your homestead) and have a valid Principal Residence Exemption on file
• Meet the federal poverty income standards and Asset Level Test identified in our 2023 Poverty Exemption Policy.
• NEW: IF YOU ARE ON A FIXED INCOME SOLEY FROM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE THAT IS NOT EXPECTED TO INCREASE BEYOND INFLATION AND YOU DO NOT EXPECT ANY OTHER FUTURE CHANGES REGARDING TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME, HOME OWNERSHIP STATUS, OR OCCUPANCY STATUS - PLEASE ALSO COMPLETE FORM 5739 TO REMAIN EXEMPT WITHOUT SUBSEQUENT REAPPLICATION - UNTIL EITHER A CHANGE IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES OR UP TO THREE YEARS.

Gather your documentation

You’ll need to file for this exemption every year. You can file for the current tax year starting January 1st, and up until the Board of Review concludes in December. It’s a good idea to pick a month before December and make a reminder for yourself to file every year. We strongly recommend submitting your application in February to the March Board of Review to avoid receiving a tax bill altogether. You’ll need to include the following documents with your application:

• A copy of your valid driver’s license or other form of ID, for everyone living in the household over age 16
• Income verification. This includes, but is not limited to the following: Social Security income, employment income, disability income, cash assistance, documentation of rental income, child support, alimony, food assistance and all other sources of income, for everyone living in the household over age 16
• Federal, State and Local income tax returns from the current or previous year for everyone that lives in the home. Include any property tax credit forms you have
• Current bank/credit union statement for all checking, savings and money market accounts
• If someone living in the home did not have to file federal or state income tax returns, they need to sign and submit the affidavit in the application

Complete the application

You’ll need to print and submit the original application, along with your supporting documentation to our office. Don’t have a printer? You can pick up the form at our office.

Board of Review

You are required to attend, in person, either the March, July or December Board of Review. The board will discuss your application with you and ask some general questions. Meetings are about 10 minutes long. You will not find out if you are approved or denied at this time.

Review your application

After the deliberations by the board we’ll mail you a notice of approval or denial.

Check if you’re eligible

There are multiple types of organizations that may qualify for a property tax exemption under Michigan law.

To qualify for this exemption, you’ll have to own and occupy the property as of December 31st prior to the year you want to be exempt.

Complete the application

Your application has to be filed no later than the second Monday in March. Organizations may submit an application for exemption for the upcoming tax year as early as April 1, however, all applications must be reviewed based on the status of the property as of tax day, which is December 31.

Mail or drop off your application and all required documents to our office

Mail or drop off your application and all required supporting documentation to our office.

Review of application

All applications undergo a legal review by the City Assessor’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office.

Audit

The City Assessor’s Office is required to review all exempt properties status every 5 years. As a result, organizations that are exempt from property taxes may periodically be requested to file an updated exemption application.  Failure to file an updated exemption application when requested may jeopardize the continuation of the exemption.

Senior Citizens

The State of Michigan does not currently offer a property tax exemption for senior citizens. However, Senior Citizens are entitled to the Homestead Property Tax Credit. 

If you are required to file a Michigan Individual Income Tax return MI-1040, submit the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim MI-1040CR with your MI-1040. If you are not required to file an MI-1040, you may file the MI-1040CR by itself. 

The City of Holland is not involved in this process. More information is available here:

Homestead Property Tax Credit