Michigan property taxes can change dramatically after a home sale. The post-pandemic market brought rising inflation and property values, triggering a key limit in Michigan’s tax law. In 2023, inflation hit 7.9%, and for the first time, the full 5% cap on taxable value increases went into effect. Buyers need to  understand how property taxes reset and what that means for future bills.

The Rules: Headlee Amendment & Proposal A

Michigan’s Headlee Amendment limits how much tax revenue local governments can collect, forcing rate reductions when property values rise faster than inflation. Proposal A, passed in 1994, caps annual taxable value increases at the lesser of; inflation or 5%. While this cap generally protected homeowners from sharp tax hikes, it has now come into play due to high inflation. Inflation rates were 3.3% in 2022, 7.9% in 2023 (capped at 5%), 4.1% in 2024, and 2.9% in 2025. These figures determine how much a property’s taxable value can increase annually—unless it’s sold.

What Happens When a Property Sells

When a home sells, the capped value and taxable value are reset the following January 1st. The new owner’s taxable value becomes equal to the SEV(State Equalized Value)—half the home’s assessed market value. This often results in a significantly higher tax bill than what the seller was paying. From there, future increases are once again capped by inflation or 5%.

Taxable vs. Market Value: The Gap

From 2012 to 2025, Michigan property values increased by 196%. But capped taxable values for homeowners who didn’t move rose only 37.9%. This large gap explains why new buyers often pay much more in taxes than their neighbors.

Don’t Focus on the Wrong Numbers

Buyers should not compare their expected taxes to those of the seller or nearby homeowners. Instead, they should look at the current SEV and determine whether it reflects about 50% of the home’s true market value. If the SEV appears too high relative to the sale price, it may be worth discussing with the local assessor.