Assessing


Assessor - Shalice Northrop MMAO (4)	assessor@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov
Assessor's Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 9 am to 1 pm Will Make Appointment	(269) 925-7036 ext. 134 phone (269) 925-7134 fax
Charges for Copies - 8 1/2 x 11 Single copy $.50	Taxpayers asking for their own record copy, No Charge.

Assessor's Office

Benton Charter Township's Assessor's Office is responsible for the inventory of all properties within the Township of Benton. Using the methodology set forth by the State Tax Commission; our mission is to equitably evaluate all taxable property and prepare an assessment roll in the most efficient fashion. Our records include but are not limited to information such as: taxability, ownership, land descriptions, location and valuation (Assessed, Taxable and Capped).

We are committed to providing assistance in the most courteous and professional manner.

Requests or inquires for the Assessor or otherwise authorized individual can be made via phone, or email at the above contact information or in-person during Township business bours; Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm. Any requests made to the Assessor or otherwise authorized individual will be returned within 3 business days of the request. To arrange an in-person or virtual meeting with the assessor or otherwise authorized individual can be requested via phone, email or in-person. A meeting will be scheduled within 7 business days of the request or on a date that is mutually agreed upon between both parties. Requests to meet with the assessor or otherwise authorized individual regarding property valuation disputes will be scheduled prior to the first meeting of the March Board of Review. Property disputes that cannot be resolved through the informal meeting will be scheduled for the March Board of Review.

To ensure proper billing of taxes and required notices I encourage you to notify us of any name changes, mailing address changes or business changes.

Again, this year we will out in the neighborhoods taking pictures and updating our records. The State Tax Commission requires assessors to reassess 20% of all properties and to verify all sales within the Township each year. By law, we are required to have a drawing of the improvements and pictures of the properties. We will be in a marked vehicle and will have identification.

What's New in Assessing

March Board of Review Dates are as follows:

March 10, 2025, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

March 11, 2025, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

March 12, 2025, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Board of Review Members

Michelle Priefer
Vickie Brown

State Tax Commission announced the inflation rate multiplier for 2025

The State Tax Commission announced the inflation rate multiplier or consumer price Index (CPI) for 2025 to be applied to the 2024 taxable value of all the property in the State of Michigan, is 3.1%. The Assessor does not have any control over the Inflation Rate Multiplier. This is statewide and mandated by the State of Michigan. To learn more about the CPI and how it affects your taxes, see STC Bulletin 16 of 2023 or visit the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

How Your Assessed Value is Determined

Annually the State Tax Commission requires assessors to perform property sales analysis to determine the market value of all properties in the township. The assessed value of your property is 50% of the calculated market value of your property. Below are the links to the analysis that was performed to determine the current assessed value for all properties in Benton Charter Township.

2025 Land Value Analysis

2025 Economic Condition Factor

Just looking for info? Property Information is now available online! Click the link below.

BSA Online Property Information Look-U

Beacon GIS Imagery Berrien County

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Thank you to all Veterans who have served our County. We can never thank you enough for the service and sacrifice you and your families have made to protect our county. In 2013, the Michigan legislature approved the disabled veteran exemption for those veterans who are determined to be 100% disabled or 100% unemployable by the VA. Please reach out to the assessing office if you think you may qualify or would like further information on this property exemption. Download the application for the Disabled Veteran Exemption

Personal Property Information

In order to claim an exemption for personal property with a true cash value less than $80,000, you must file Form 5076 Small Business Taxpayer Exemption with your local unit that the personal property is located no later than February 20, 2025 (postmark is acceptable). Late filed forms may be filed directly with the local unit March Board of Review prior to the closure of the March Board of Review.

All 5076 forms MUST BE FILLED OUT IN IT'S ENTIRETY. Failure to fill out the form completely can be cause for denial of the exemption.

Once this exemption is granted, you will continue to receive the exemption until you no longer qualify for the exemption. Once you no longer qualify, you are required to file a rescission form 5618 and a personal property statement, form 632 (L-4175) no later than February 20th of the year that the property is no longer eligible. Failure to file the rescission form will result in significant penalty and interest as prescribed in MCL 2311.9o.

In order to claim an exemption for personal property with a true cash value greater than or equal to $80,000 but less than $180,000, you must file Form 5076 Small Business Taxpayer Exemption along with form 632(L-4175) ANNUALLY with your local unit that the personal property is located no later than February 20, 2025 (postmark is acceptable).

ATTENTION Eligible Manufacturing Personal Property Exemption (EMPP) and Essential Services Statement (ESA) filers, Beginning in 2024, parcels that received the EMPP exemption in the immediately preceding year carry forward the exemption in each subsequent year until the property becomes ineligible for the exemption.

A Combined Document (Form 5278) needs to be filed to claim the EMPP exemption only on those parcels that did not receive the EMPP exemption in the immediately preceding year. Deadline for filing form 5278 is February 20, 2025, postmarks no later than February 20, 2025, accepted. Late filed forms may be filed directly with the local units March Board of Review prior to the closure of the March Board of Review.

Please visit the links below to learn more about the Small Taxpayer Exemption, Eligible Manufacturing Personal Property Exemption and Essential Services Assessment.

Personal Property Tax General Information

Essential Services Assessment (ESA) Overview

Please click the following link for Michigan Tax Tribunal inquiries www.michigan.gov/taxtrib.