SUMMER TAX

Deadline: September 1

Summer taxes are due without interest: (1) If paid in full on or before September 1 or, (2) If one-half is paid by September 1, and the second half is paid on or before December 1. Click here for additional information on late taxes.

School Taxes (July Tax Bill):

East Detroit and South Lake school districts have requested that 100% of school taxes be billed on the July (Summer) tax bill.

Macomb County Taxes:

Macomb County has requested that the county operating taxes be billed on the July (Summer) tax bill.

Deferment:

If you are eligible, summer taxes can be deferred until February 15. Click here for qualifications for deferral of taxes.

Many ways to pay your taxes:

• Mail To:

City of Eastpointe
23200 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021

• The following local branches accept City of Eastpointe tax payments:

  • First State Bank

• Taxes may be paid at the Treasurer's office during regular working hours. Those hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• An after-hours drop box is located behind City Hall in the parking lot. No cash please!

• Taxes may be mailed by returning the tax bill along with your payment (do not send cash) to receive proper credit. To avoid late charges, payments must be postmarked no later than the due date on the reverse side of the bill. No exceptions. Your canceled check will serve as your receipt.

• To pay by check, please make checks payable to:
  Treasurer, City of Eastpointe.
  Write your Parcel Identification Number on your check for reference. Checks are accepted only as conditional payment. If not honored by the bank, tax is unpaid and subject to penalties and/or interest.

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DEFERRAL OF SUMMER TAXES

Homeowners can delay paying summer taxes until February 15 if the total household income is $40,000 or less (as shown on the Michigan Homestead Property tax return, line 30) as long as the taxpayer can be classified as one of the following:

• Senior citizen (age 62 or older) - must provide copy of Michigan Drivers License

• Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, Quadriplegic or totally and permanently disabled - must provide copy of original Social Security letter

• Blind - must provide copy of original Social Security letter

• Currently serving in the military with household income less than $7,500

• A veteran who: (must provide copy of Military Identification)

1. Receives compensation for a service-connected disability, or

2. Served in the military during the Vietnam era, Korean War, World War II, World War I or earlier wars, and has a household income of $7,500 or less.

• The un-remarried, surviving spouse of any service person or veteran who: (must provide copy of Military Identification)

1. Met qualification a) or b) above, or

2. Died while serving in the military.

Taxpayers may claim a deferment by filing an application for deferment of summer taxes. A deferral form is available at City Hall. Taxpayers eligible for deferral must file an “Application of Deferment” on or before September 15. Click here for deferment application. (Note - Deferral Form requires "Acrobat Reader," available as a free download from the Adobe website.)

Required Documentation for Tax Deferment

• Application for Deferment

• Original Tax Bill

• Signed copy of Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim for the current year

Proof of eligibility must be presented when filing.

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LATE TAXES

 Summer (City, County Operating, and School) Taxes

Payable July 1, through September 1. Beginning September 2, add one (1%) percent per month for each calendar month thereafter on the unpaid balance through February. February 15 – 28, an additional two (2%) percent penalty will be charged to any unpaid balance.

All late payments must be received by the City of Eastpointe Treasurer on or before February 28. Beginning March 1, all unpaid taxes must be paid to Macomb County Treasurer's Office, One South Main Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043, with additional penalties. During the month of March, a revised statement from the city treasurer must accompany the remittance to the County Treasurer.

Winter (County Debt and Huron-Clinton Metro Authority) Taxes

Payable December 1, through February 15, without penalty. February 15 – 28, add three (3%) percent penalty.

All late payments must be received by the City of Eastpointe Treasurer on or before February 28. Beginning March 1, all unpaid taxes must be paid to Macomb County Treasurer's Office, One South Main Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043, with additional penalties. During the month of March, a revised statement from the city treasurer must accompany the remittance to the County Treasurer.
 

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WATER AND SEWER RATES

Effective with readings beginning July 1, 2009, water and sewer rates will increase as follows:

Water Service Rates:

1. $2.32 for each 100 cubic feet of water consumed

2. $9.97 per month for each fire service line connected to the premises

Sewer Use Rates:

There is a fixed charge per month based on the size of the pipe attached to the water meter as follows:

In addition to the above rates, a charge of $4.64 will be billed for each 100 cubic feet of water consumed.

A minimum charge of $0.33 per month shall be charged for operation and maintenance of the wastewater retention basin.

WATER AND SEWER UTILITY BILL DIRECT PAYMENT SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE.  You can pay your water/sewer bill through our Direct Payment Service.  There is no charge to you to use this service.  By sending in the completed Water/Sewer Direct Payment Enrollment Form, payment will automatically be deducted from the checking or savings account you specify on the bill due date.  If you decide to cancel, need to make a change, or have any questions simply call 586-445-5030, or write the Finance Department at City Hall.  If you set-up your payment withdrawal from a savings account, be aware that certain banks limit the number of electronic transaction that can be made within a 30-day statement cycle for savings accounts.  Please contact your financial institution to check their policy.  Money market accounts are considered checking accounts by all financial institutions.  Per City fee schedule, $30.00 will be charged for all items returned from the bank due to non-sufficient funds (NSF), closed account or exceeding the allowable number of electronic transactions on a savings account.

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WATER AND SEWER BILL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is my meter broken?
   A meter will slow down and stop if it is not working. Meters do not speed up.
   
    

2. How do I read the meter?
   The meter is either numbers or dials, and the meter is read from left to right.
   
    

3. How could I have used so much water?
   If a water reading is an actual read, the water used at your house flowed through your meter. Check for leaks!
   
    

4. What is a unit of water?
   A unit of water is equal to 100 cubic feet. There are 7.48 gallons per cubic feet. So one unit is 748 gallons.
   
    

5. Will you shut off my water?
   We do not shut off water for overdue bills. We do not make payment arrangements, but we will accept any payment amount at any time. There is a 5% late fee added on the unpaid balance, plus 1% per month interest. Any balance 6 months overdue may be placed on taxes.

WATER AND SEWER BILL DEFINITIONS

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REMEMBER WHEN MOVING...

Final Bills---

Appointments for final readings must be made in advance. As soon as you have a closing date, please call 445-5053. The appointment will either be 7:30-10:30 a.m. or 12:00-2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and someone must be there. The meter reader will take a reading inside and outside. It is very important to be accurate at this time as it is Final. The bill will then be ready for pickup the following afternoon.

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WATER AND SEWER BILLING FYIs

NAME CHANGES must be requested in writing.

SUMMER BILLS are always higher, not just from watering grass, but because we physically use more water in the heat.

COMPARING BILLS with different usage or with your neighbor may not always be accurate.

CHECKING FOR LEAKS:

1. Put 15 drops of food coloring in the tank of the toilet. Do not flush. After 1 hour check the bowl, and if the colored water leaked through to the bowl, there is a leak in the toilet.

2. Write down the numbers on your meter at night before you go to bed. Do not use any water. In the morning, check the meter again. If the numbers have advanced without using any water, there is a leak in the system and a plumber should be called.