Payment for taxes to the City may be made with a credit or debit card over the phone, online, or electronically through the options listed below:
Pay with a Credit Card by Phone
The City accepts IVR Payments (Interactive Voice Response) by phone. IVR is a technology that allows customers to make payments over the telephone 24/7 by calling (855) 786-5350 (convenience fee of 2.95% with a $1.95 minimum).
Pay with a Credit Card Online
The City accepts online payments for Property Taxes (convenience fee of 2.95%, with a $1 minimum applies).
Learn how to enroll in InvoiceCloud (online payments)
Drop Box
Drop payment in the "Red Drop Box" that sits in front of the Governmental Center.
Please pay by check or money order if making a payment in our Drop Box. Cash payments are not recommended.
Payments by Mail
City Treasurer
Governmental Center 1st Floor
400 Boardman Ave
Traverse City, MI 49684
Please pay by check or money order if making a payment by mail. Cash payments through the mail are not recommended.
Customer Service Department
Pay your bill in person at the Customer Service Department located at 400 Boardman Avenue. Cash, check, credit card (convenience fee of 2.95%, with a $1 minimum applies) and money orders are accepted at this location.
Look Up Your Taxes Online
Please visit our the BS&A webpage. By simply creating an account, you can look your taxes and tax payment history on BS&A.
Learn More About Your Tax Bill
Payment Information
- Summer Taxes are payable July 1st through July 31st without interest and penalty. Beginning August 1st a 2% penalty is added along with ½ % interest. An additional ½ % interest will be added on the 1st of each month to the unpaid balance.
- Deferment of Summer Taxes: The law provides that beginning August 1st, a 2% penalty and a ½ % interest be paid. However taxes may be deferred without penalty and interest until February 14th for any taxpayer who is either a senior citizen (62 years of age or older), totally and permanently disabled, or otherwise eligible, and whose annual household income does not exceed a certain dollar amount. Applications for deferment are available at the City Treasurer’s Office and must be returned to our office by September 14th.
- Winter Taxes are payable December 1st through February 14th without penalty or interest. There will be a 3% penalty if paid February 15th through February 28th. Beginning March 1st all real property taxes must be paid to your respective County Treasurer. A 4% administration fee and 1% interest per month is applied to delinquent taxes when paid at the County.
- Checks are accepted only as conditional payment of taxes. If the check is not honored by the bank the tax is considered unpaid and will be restored to the tax roll without further notice and subject to the penalty and interest noted above.
- U.S. Postal Service postmark must be on or before due date to avoid late or delinquent penalties.
- If you wish to receive a paid receipt, please enclose a self addressed stamped envelope.
Tax Descriptions
CITY……………………………… City of Traverse City operating millage
CITY ACT 345…………………… City of Traverse City public safety retirement millage
CITY FIRE 2023……………….....City of Traverse City emergency medical services millage
NORTH ED ……………………….Northwest Education Services operating millage
STATE ED……………………….. State Education Tax millage
TCAPS-OPERATING..………….. Traverse City Area Public School operating millage
TCAPS-DEBT……………………. Traverse City Area Public School voter approved debt millage
NMC-OPERATING……………… Northwestern Michigan College operating millage
NMC-DEBT……………………… Northwestern Michigan College voter approved debt millage
COUNTY………………………… County operating millage
COA-SENIOR CEN..……………. Commission on Aging operating millage for the Senior Center
DDA……………………………… Downtown Development Authority operating millage
BATA…………………………….. Bay Area Transportation Authority voter approved operating millage
COA………………………………. Commission on Aging voter approved operating millage
LIBRARY-OPER……………….... Traverse Area District Library operating millage
REC AUTH-OPER………………. Garfield Twp/City of Traverse City Recreational Authority operating millage
REC AUTH-DEBT………………. Garfield Twp/City of Traverse City Recreational Authority debt millage
LEE ROAD………………………. Leelanau County voter approved road maintenance millage
LEE LIBRARY OPER…………… Traverse Area District Library operating millage
LEE COA SENIO..……………….. Leelanau County voter approved millage
LEE EARLY CH………………….Leelanau County voter approved early childhood services millage
LEE REC OPER………………….. Garfield Twp/City of Traverse City Recreational Authority operating millage
LEE REC DEBT………………….. Garfield Twp/City of Traverse City Recreational Authority debt millage
ROAD COM…...………………….Grand Traverse County voter approved road millage
ANIMAL CONTRO………………Grand Traverse County voter approved animal control millage
VETERANS…..………………….. Grand Traverse County voter approved veteran service millage
CONSERVATION………………...Grand Traverse County voter approved conservation district millage
Personal Property Taxes
Personal property (tax on the value of equipment of a business) is subject to seizure and sale per provisions of the State General Tax Laws if the tax is not paid on time. The City has a statutory lien on the personal property and taxpayer is liable for all of the Personal Property Taxes (Summer & Winter) if the business had equipment located in the City of Traverse City on December 31st preceding the tax year.
Other Information
Failure to send or receive a tax notice does not in any way prejudice the City’s right to collect or enforce the payment of any tax.
Statement of right to appeal Principal Residence Exemption: Please contact the Assessing Department at (231) 922-4450 with questions regarding qualifying and filing for the Principal Residence Exemption.