Welcome to the Treasurer's Department

The Treasurer’s Department is responsible for mailing tax notices and receipting payments, as well as, distributing the taxes to the proper taxing authorities. In addition, this department is also responsible for the investments to generate interest revenue, recording of financial transactions, preparing for and assisting in the annual audits, preparation of the annual budget, providing financial analysis and conducting financial research for the Township Board.

Contact the Treasurer

Treasurer: Jim Ringler
Deputy Treasurer: Linda Keller ext. 16
Ph: 269.684.0870 ext. 16
Fax: 269.684.1996

Treasurer's office will be open until 7:00 pm on February 14th for your convenience - last day to pay taxes.

Paying Taxes

Depending on your property tax question(s), you may find the answers on this site, or the Assessors.

Summer taxes for 2010 are due on September 14, 2010. After September 14 interest and penalties will be added. Please call for current amount due.

Winter taxes for 2010 are due on February 14, 2011. Taxes are delinquent as of March 1, 2011
See delinquent tax information below

Please make checks or money orders payable to: NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP TREASURER
Paying by check authorizes Niles Charter Twp. to send the information from your check electronically to your bank for payment. Checks are accepted as conditional payment until the check clears the bank. Please include your telephone number and the parcel number on the check.

Have you moved? Please report any changes in mailing address and mortgage/escrow company to the Niles Charter Township Deputy Treasurer at 269.684.0870 ext.16.

Delinquent real and personal property taxes (land and structures-business equipment): On and after March 1, 2011 delinquent real and personal property taxes are paid (with interest and penalties) to the Berrien County Treasurer, at 701 Main Street, St. Joseph,  MI 49085. Please call 269.983.7111 ext. 8569 or locally 269.684.5274 ext. 8569 for the current amount due.

Personal property taxes are a SECURED LIEN under Michigan Law (P.A. 206 of 1893, as amended; MCL 211.40) and are SUPERIOR to other liens, including those recorded with the Michigan Secretary of State under the Uniform Commercial Code. Tax liens do not have to be recorded with the Michigan Secretary of State.

Additional property tax forms you may find helpful:
Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes
Senior Citizen or Totally and Permanently Disabled
Property Tax Relief During Active Military Service
 
NOTICE: It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to verify that payment is being made on the correct property description. The tax amounts listed on the tax notice are levied on the property described on the tax bill and are for the indicated tax year.
Failure to receive a tax bill or failure to deliver timely tax payment does not waive interest or penalty charges.
For your convenience, there is a blue payment drop box located at the rear of the Township hall just West of the DPW building.

2010 Niles Charter Township
Final Tax Rates

Where Does My Tax Dollar Go?
Residents and business owners pay their property taxes to Niles Charter Township, however the Township only keeps approximately 22% of that amount. We collect and distribute taxes for Brandywine, Niles and Buchanan public schools, Berrien Regional Education Service Agency, Lake Michigan College, Niles District Library, Buchanan District Library, SMCAS, Berrien County and the State of Michigan (SET-State Education Tax).

SUMMARY OF GENERAL FUND REVENUES

SUMMARY OF GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

2011 Adopted Budget

Niles Township’s fiscal year is based on the calendar year January 1 through December 31. The Township follows GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principals) guidelines to account for all funds.  GAAP requires using the Modified Accrual basis of accounting for all governmental funds, and the Accrual basis of accounting for proprietary funds.  Niles Charter Township uses the modified accrual basis of accounting to budget ALL funds. Thus, the basis of budgeting is not the same as the basis of accounting for all proprietary funds.  Under GAAP basis of accounting, capital outlays and debt service payments are not reported as expenditures in the current year, but allocations are made for depreciation and amortization expense. Under the modified accrual basis of budgeting, these amounts are recorded as expenditures in the current year.

Electronic Enrollment
Niles Charter Township offers residents the ability to have their utility bills, as well as their tax bill, automatically debited from a specified checking or savings account. Forms must be submitted a minimum of 10 days prior to the date of withdrawl.*

• Electronic Payment for Utility Bills
• Electronic Payment for Tax Bills
  

*Unfortunately, we are unable to set-up automatic electronic payments from your credit card nor can you pay online at this time. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience.
+Electronic Tax payments must be submitted 10 days prior to the due date selected.