CRYSTAL LAKE TOWNSHIP IN BENZIE COUNTY MICHIGAN
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TAXES

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​Jill Marble, Treasurer
[email protected]
office: 231-352-9791
cell: 517-
​243-1615 ext. 2
office hours: M-T-W, 9 a.m.-Noon

​
Jill is your go-to person for your tax collection questions. Crystal Lake Treasurer is responsible for collecting, depositing, accounting and distributing taxes, as well as all other revenue the township.  
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NO FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: October 29 - November 12, 2025.  Many apologies!  We are transferring to entirely new financial software. Due to a badly needed system update process on these 15 days, we will be unable to process any financial transactions during the switch over.  Any transactions submitted will be processed after 11.12.25.  Feel free to stop by in person or give us a call with questions. Thanks in advance for your anticipated patience with this unavoidable hiatus in our normal business operations. 
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LOOK UP YOUR OWN ANSWERS TO TAX ASSESSMENT AND PAYMENT QUESTIONS:
Our records are public records!  For transparency we provide a quick access button below for you to find your own answers to property assessment and tax collection/payment information.
CLICK HERE FOR CLT Tax Information DATABASE
​As you can see, online access to tax and assessor information is now available and totally transparent to the public by clicking on button above. Everything for every taxable parcel in Crystal Lake Township is available here, for you or a neighbor to see, from property descriptions to a history of taxes.  Can't figure out the database after clicking on our button above? Need help learning how to better navigate bsaonline.com?  If you would call us when you're in front of your computer, we can give you a quick "how-to" lesson.
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RECEIPTS FOR YOUR TAX PAYMENTS:
No receipt is automatically mailed to you. Your cancelled check or credit card statement could be your receipt. Otherwise, you must specifically ask for a receipt when you pay your taxes OR click on the button above to print one for yourself.
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​​​DO WE HAVE YOUR PROPER ADDRESS?:  When we mailed out the Summer 2025 tax bills, 100 of them came back to us for lack of a proper address. There might have been mail forwarding issues, it might be the problem associated with with many of our residents having both summer and winter addresses. In any case, we would like to get all our mail to you delivered directly into your hands. Please email the treasurer, Jill Marble, at [email protected] or call her at 231-352-9791 ext 2. if you have had trouble receiving mail from us. We might also provide you with snail-mail versus email options.  Finally, although not required, we recommend you give us a phone number to reach you should issues arise. 
HOT TOPICS IN TAX COLLECTION:
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a) HEADLEE AMENDMENT and possible RE-SET OF YOUR TAXATION RATE. 
You're going to be hearing more and more about this topic in the coming months and years.  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 to primers and for more information, or google more articles: 1) Benzie website link   2) Michigan State University Extension Office article  3) Benzie County Pamphlet  4) Library Association Handout. 

b) 
TOWNSHIP MILLAGES for the 2026 upcoming year *: It was decided by the CLT Board in its September 17, 2025 Board meeting that township millages shall be the following amounts per every $1000 tax value on real property: .50 for general township operations, .65 for fire & rescue services, and .9813 for township road maintenance/repair.                                     

(*) to appear on your Winter 2026 tax bill
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NOTICES & UPDATES:
  • Summer tax bills are mailed by the first of July.  The summer tax accrues interest after Sept. 14.
  • Winter tax bills are mailed by the first of December.  The winter tax accrues interest after Feb. 14.
  • As of the first of March, summer and winter taxes from the previous year are delinquent and are delivered to Benzie County for collection and administration.
  • ​​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.
  • ​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
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1651 Frankfort Highway | PO Box 2129 | Frankfort, MI 49635​
Phone: (231) 352-9791 | Fax: (231) 352-6689
© Copyright 2025 Crystal Lake Township
  • HOME
  • Staff
  • Meetings & Minutes
    • Upcoming Meeting Info
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Videos of Meetings
    • Open Meetings
    • Archived Minutes
  • A - E
    • ADA Compliance
    • Assessment
    • Airport (FCCAA)
    • Audits
    • Blight
    • Board of Review
    • Budget & Finances
    • Cemeteries
    • Clean Up Days & Garbage Disposal
    • Elections & Voting
    • EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEERISM
    • Environment
    • Enforcement
    • Events
  • F - Z
    • Fireworks
    • Fire & Rescue
    • Newsletters
    • Planning
    • Policy & Procedure Manual
    • Records & FOIA
    • Recycling
    • Roads
    • Septic Systems
    • Short Term Rentals
    • Support Services
    • Taxes
    • Zoning
    • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • General Township
    • Fun Facts
    • History
    • Maps
    • Mission Statement & Ethics Code
    • Roles & Responsibilities
    • Salaries & Compensation
    • Township Law
  • Quick Forms
  • Message Us