Wayne County Treasurer offices to close to public effective Monday, March 16 to prevent Covid-19 spread

DETROIT – Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree, citing an abundance of caution, and interests of the health and safety of Wayne County taxpayers and Treasurer Office employees, has announced the closure to the public of Treasury offices beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 until Friday, April 3,2020.  A decision will be made at that time whether to reopen to the public.

This decision is consistent with Governor Whitmer’s request to cancel gatherings of over one hundred people. The Wayne County Treasurer’s Office averages over 400 visitors per day and — given peak tax visit days — there are often long lines to pay taxes at any given time. Taxpayers should continue to use the numerous methods available to them to pay delinquent taxes without having to travel to the Treasurer’s office. Payment plan agreements will have to be made through the mail until further notice.  Payment Plan agreements will be available on line starting Monday March 16, 2020 at: https://www.waynecounty.com/elected/treasurer/home.aspx.

“Delinquent taxes still have to be paid and interest will continue to accrue on unpaid balances,” Sabree said. “This decision will allow taxpayers more time to pay and also reduce the threat that the coronavirus will spread among the public. We encourage taxpayers to continue making payments, including those already enrolled in payment plans.”

We have extended the date for redemption of forfeited properties through May 13, 2020. Taxpayers have until May 13 to have all 2017 and prior year’s taxes paid in full or to be enrolled and compliant in a payment plan with the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office.

“Our staff will continue to work to process payments and answer questions via phone or email to assist Wayne County Taxpayers until this health crisis subsides,” Sabree said.

In the meantime, taxpayers are urged to pay taxes online, through one of the 75 DivDat kiosks located throughout the county, by mail, by mobile app, or by phone. Checks and money orders can also be placed in an envelope and placed in the drop box on the first floor of the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office located at 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, Michigan in the International Center Building near Greektown. The received drop box payments will be processed within 24 hours.

A new law (Public Act 33) was recently enacted which will help certain low income tax payers avoid property tax foreclosure. This law is referred to as PAYS or Pay As You Stay. It will allow those who are exempt from property taxes due to low income the ability to remove interest, penalties and fees from their delinquent taxes and pay their balance over a three year period. We will continue with our plans to implement the PAYS program on April 1, 2020. Taxpayers qualified for the PAYS program applicants will be contacted and at that time, if necessary, their payment plans will be processed through the mail and with assistance from our nonprofit partners.

“On behalf of all of us at the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office, we thank you for your cooperation and patience during this very serious time to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus,” Sabree said.

Please also visit www.TreasurerWayneCounty.com for additional information.

For kiosk locations visit DivDatKioskNetwork.com

Contact the Treasurer’s Office by phone at (313)224-5990 or email : taxinfo@waynecounty.com

Media Contact, MetroRealPR, LLC Mario Morrow 313-806-0818 or Bruce Babiarz 248-890-5030