TAXES
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​​Jill Marble, Treasurer
[email protected]
office: 231-352-9791 x2
office hours: M-T-W,
9 a.m.-Noon
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As the CLT Treasurer, Jill is responsible for collecting, depositing, reconciling and disbursing our property taxes.  She is also responsible for all other revenue funds for the township, is an officer on the CLT Board, represents the township on the City of Frankfort Fire Advisory Board, assists with Short-Term Rental Ordinance and wears other hats, as well.

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PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION: 
Every effort is made to get your property tax bill(s) in your hands.  If snail mail is failing you, request to get on the CLT magic email list by contacting Jill Marble.  Ultimately, getting your tax bill and making timely payments is the property owners' responsibility.

• Summer 2026 property taxes are mailed to the address of record the first week in July.  To avoid interest your property taxes must be paid by September 14.

• Winter 2026 property taxes are mailed to the address of record the first week in December.  To avoid interest and penalty your property taxes must be paid by February 16.

HOW TO PAY PROPERTY TAX TAXES AT THE TOWNSHIP: 

• Pay via the drop box at the hall, 1651 Frankfort Hwy. Frankfort, MI 49635.  Look for dedicated black mailbox at the lower entrance. 
• Hand it to Jill, who is often in the office than just her posted hours.  If the VW bug is in the parking lot, Jill is in the office.
• Pay online.  The credit card fee is 3.5%.  Click here to pay online.  However, we recommend to avoid those high rates and use ACH which charges much less.  Check with Jill if you have any questions how to use ACH.

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WHEN CAN'T I PAY MY TAXES AT THE TOWNSHIP?:
After the first of March, or the first business day thereafter, property taxes are turned over to the county and can no longer go to the township.​​​

​RECEIPTS FOR YOUR TAX PAYMENTS ARE NOT AUTOMATIC:
Your canceled check or credit card statement provides record of your payment.  If you would like a property tax payment receipt, just ask.
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PROPERTY TAX MAILING ADDRESSES:  
The townships and the County continue to work towards correct mailing addresses.  If your mailing address is incorrect on your property tax bill, please email [email protected] with the correct address.  You may also contact Jill Marble at [email protected] or 231.352.9791 ext. 2 and she will relay the correct address to our assessor.

ANSWERS TO TAX ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS:

• ​On the CLT website home page, find the A-E drop down box and click on "Assessment."  
• Use the following link to access the CLT Assessor's database that will give you much more information on. Our assessor is always ready and willing to help find interpret and clarify any concerns you may have about the information provided.
• Check out our own township BS&A database for some information by clicking the button below. 

CLICK HERE: CLT Tax Information DATABASE

 HOT TOPICS IN TAX COLLECTION:
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• HEADLEE AMENDMENT and possible RE-SET OF YOUR TAXATION RATE. The Benzie County Board of Commissioners has --understandably--  brought the issue of financing local government to a head.  We urge you to study up on what exactly "Headlee" refers to and what "re-setting" means for your millage rates. Choose to click on any of the following for links covering everything from general primers to documents specific to Benzie County and Crystal Lake Township: 1) Most recent Benzie County Full Explanation Printout  2) Benzie website link 3) Michigan State University Extension Office article  4) Benzie County Printout  5) Library Association Handout. ​​

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• TOWNSHIP MILLAGES: It was decided by the CLT Board that township millages should appear on the previous 2025 Winter tax bill  as the following per every $1000 tax value on real property:

               .50 for general township operations/.65 for fire & rescue service
               .9813 for township road maintenance & repair.   

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• RE-SETTING MILLAGES:  The above could change in the future.  Currently, the board is allowed to collect approximately .68 cents (per the Headlee Rollback factor from the original $1.21) for general township purposes but choses to collect only .50 cents. Re-setting the millages to the recommended originally pre-approved millage rates --as is proposed on the August 4th, 2026 ballot-- would not only allow the county to raise funds for maintaining operations but also allow the township the option of raising should there be the need, the operating rate to 1.21.  At this time, the Board does not have plans to raise the millage rates but the township does re-evaluate all millages every September, and forecasts foreseeable expenses with its officially adopted budget, presented in the new year following and adopted in time for April 1st.  Need help understanding how this all works?  We're here to help explain.

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TAX EXEMPTIONS:

• QUALIFIED DISABLED VETERAN  In Nov., of 2013, Public Act 161 was signed into law granting a 100-percent property tax exemption for qualified disabled veterans.  Real property used and owned as a homestead by a disabled veteran or their un-remarried surviving spouse is exempt from the collection of taxes.  Use the link below for more information.
• PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE: The General Property Tax Act allows a 100-percent property tax exemption for the principal ("homesteaded") residence of persons who, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute to property taxes.  An eligible person must own and occupy the home and file an annual claim.  Use the Poverty/Hardship Exemption State of Michigan link below for more information.  Also use the Crystal Lake Township link by clicking here.

HELPFUL STATE OF MICHIGAN LINKS:
Michigan Department of Treasury
Property Tax Estimator
Personal Property Tax Exemption
Principal Residence Exemption
​Disabled Veterans Exemption Information
Poverty/Hardship Exemption Information
Tax Proration Calculator