Treasurer’s Office 734-258-3012 Office Hours Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
James E. Dallos, Treasurer
The Office of the City Treasurer is responsible for the collection of cash receivables on behalf of the City.
Our office staff consists of an elected Part-Time Treasurer, a full-time Deputy Treasurer, one full-time and two part-time clerical employees. Our staff collects tax bill payments, water bill payments, and fees charged by our various city departments, including our Building and Recreation Departments and receipts from our Southwinds Golf Course. Dog licenses and garage sale permits can be purchased in our office. Taxes collected for the City, County, and School District are disbursed to each entity.
PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION
All properties in the City of Southgate receive two tax bills per year:
- A City "Summer” tax bill is mailed around July 1, and is payable August 15 without penalty.
- A County "Winter” tax bill is mailed around December 1, and is payable February 14 without penalty.
If you do not receive a Summer bill by July 15, or a Winter bill by December 15, and do not have an escrow account, please call the office at the number above and we will mail the bill to you.
If you elect to pay your property taxes through an escrow account, your tax bill will be sent directly to your escrow agent. If you receive your tax bill in error, please forward it to your escrow agent.
For billing accuracy, it is important that you inform the City of Southgate of changes that may affect your tax billing status. Some examples of these changes include:
- Change of Mortgage Company – contact the Treasurer’s Office 734-258-3012.
- Principal Residence Information – contact the Assessor’s Office 734-258-3005.
- Transfer of Ownership – contact the Assessor’s Office 734-258-3005.
ALL MORTGAGE COMPANIES AND TITLE COMPANIES ARE REQUITED TO PAY A $5 DUPLICATE BILL FEE UNLESS THEY HAVE THE ORIGINAL (OR A COPY) OF THE TAX BILLS. MEMO BILLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Tax information is available on line at https://accessmygov.com/?uid=426 to taxpayers, mortgage companies, real estate offices, title companies, and the general public. You will need to establish a user account by following the prompts. There is no cost to resident taxpayers for this service. Non-residents will be charged a nominal fee of $2.00 per record. Information is also available by calling the Treasurer’s office above.
PENALTIES FOR LATE TAX PAYMENTS
Penalties begin accruing immediately after the due date at the following rates:
- Summer (City) bill: ½ of 1% of the amount owed beginning August 16. The penalty increases by ½ of 1% each month on the unpaid amount until February 28. This is the final day we can accept real property tax payments in this office for the previous tax year.
- Winter (County) bill: From February 15 to February 28, the penalty is 3% of the entire bill. Beginning March 1, you will have to contact the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office to pay your tax bill.
DELINQUENT TAXES
You can pay your property taxes to our office from July through February. If your taxes are unpaid as of February 28, you must pay them to the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office. Call their office at 313-224-5990, or visit their website at http://www.treasurer.waynecounty.com/ for payment arrangements.
TAX DEFERMENTS
Tax deferments are available for senior citizens and legally disabled persons with a total annual household income of less than $40,000. This deferment is for a homeowner’s principal residence only. Qualified persons must apply for deferments each tax season. Application forms are available at the Treasurer’s office. A deferment allows you to pay your Summer taxes, without penalty, on or before February 14 of the following year; and to pay your Winter taxes, without penalty, on or before April 15. After February 28, you must arrange to pay all unpaid taxes directly to the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES
Payments for all taxes levied on business personal property must be paid through the City Treasurer’s Office. Any business operating on December 31 of any year will be responsible for the next year’s entire billing cycle, i.e. both summer and winter bills. This is a State of Michigan law. Failure to pay Personal Property Taxes as billed may result in the placement of a Warrant of Distraint on said property and possible seizure of the property. If you currently have past due Personal Property Taxes, please contact our collection clerk at 734-258-3010 ext. 3104.
WHERE TO MAKE PAYMENTS
Tax and water bills can be paid by mail or in person at our Treasurer’s office window on the first floor of the Norma J. Wurmlinger Municipal Building, 14400 Dix-Toledo Road, Southgate, MI 48195. Payment may also be left in our drop-box outside the wall to the right of the front entrance of city hall. If using the drop box, please place your payment (no cash) in an envelope or attach the bill and check together. Payments placed in the drop box will be processed on the next business day. Payments must be received on or before the due date by 4:30 p.m. We do not accept postmarked envelopes as proof of timely payment.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You may make payments by cash, checks, money orders, credit cards and debit cards at our Treasurer’s Office window on the first floor of the Norma J. Wurmlinger Municipal Building at 14400 Dix-Toledo, Southgate, MI 48195, Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
You may also make payments by credit/debit cards or by electronic checks over the telephone, or by going on line. To pay by phone, please call our toll free number at 844-400-3558 and follow the prompts to register an account. To pay on line, click here: https://accessmygov.com/?uid=426 and follow the prompts.
There is a 3% convenience fee for payments made by credit or debit cards. There is a minimum flat fee of $3 for payments made by electronic check for amounts up to $10,000. For amounts over $10,000, the flat fee is $10.
The convenience fees are paid to our credit/debit card processing service provider, and are not paid to the City.
If you wish to arrange to pay your Water bills by Automatic Payment, please contact our Water Department at 734-258-3018.
Application for AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS OF YOUR WATER BILL.