House Finance Committee hears bill to treat postmark as property tax payment date

The Michigan House Standing Committee on Finance heard testimony Tuesday on House Bill 47-99, which would make a taxpayer's postmark date the operative date for determining whether a property tax payment was made on time and would bar interest and penalties when the payer can show the payment was postmarked by the due date.

Supporters said the change would align property tax practice with most other taxes and protect taxpayers who mailed payments on time but whose envelopes were not received by part-time or understaffed local offices. Randy Gross, vice president of tax policy at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, told the committee that the bill brings property-tax practice into line with federal and most other state tax rules. "If a taxpayer pays their tax bill prior to the due date and it's postmarked and they can show that, they shouldn't be subject…