PROPERTY VALUE ASSESSMENT GROWTH LIMITS AND REDISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM MICHIGAN

We examine the change in the distribution of property tax payments resulting from Michigan’s imposition of a property tax assessment growth cap in 1994. The cap restricts growth in property value for tax purposes to the inflation rate, for those maintaining continuous ownership. Upon sale, however, the tax base is adjusted to reflect market value. Using data from a survey conducted in 2008, we find that long-time homeowners enjoy an average reduction in effective tax rates (relative to new homeowners) of 19 percent. The cap also appears to have reduced effective property tax rates for older homeowners, and for those with higher incomes.