Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Tawas City, Michigan
Median Tawas City, Michigan effective property tax rate: 1.39%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Michigan state median of 1.05%.
Median Tawas City, Michigan home value: $251,100
Median annual Tawas City, Michigan tax bill: $2,895, $495 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Arenac calculated?
Property taxes in Tawas City, Michigan are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Tawas City's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Tawas City, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.39%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,490
$3,239
How Does the Tawas City Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Tawas City property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Tawas City's median effective tax rate of 1.39% — based on actual property records in Arenac County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessor uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Tawas City's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Tawas City: rates range from 1.39% in 48763 to 1.39% in 48763, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Tawas City.
About Tawas City Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Tawas City, Arenac, Michigan
Tawas City’s median effective property tax rate of 1.39% is higher than the Michigan state median of 1.05% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Arenac County base levy combined with local school district levies and tax increment finance districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Tawas City. Homeowners in ZIP code 48763 carry a median effective rate of 1.39%, while those in the same ZIP code also pay 1.39%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Arenac County. Understanding which part of Tawas City you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Tawas City homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the March 9, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Tawas City’s effective property tax rate to other cities in Michigan and the median property tax rates in Michigan and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Tawas City Tax Rate
1.39%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Arenac County Tax Rate
1.30%
Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate
1.05%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48763 | 0.87% | 0.95% | 1.39% | 1.59% | 1.90% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Tawas City, Michigan, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Arenac County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Arenac County, assessment notices are sent in February each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of February.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. For example, the median home price in Tawas City is $251,100, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 48763 has the highest median home price at $251,100.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell
$104,800
$177,950
$251,100
Median Tawas City Market Value
$251,100
Median Arenac County Market Value
$117,200
Median Michigan Market Value
$213,740
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48763 | $47,860 | $96,600 | $251,100 | $389,800 | $547,560 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
Property tax bills in Tawas City are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on market conditions and local assessment rules. For a home with a median value of $251,100, the bill can vary widely depending on the property’s assessed value and any local taxing jurisdictions that apply.
What homeowners pay is shaped by more than just home value. School districts, county services, and city levies all affect the final bill, so two similar homes can owe different amounts if they are in different tax settings. In Tawas City, the median tax bill is $2,895, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Bills can range from $1,228 at the 25th percentile to $5,246 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $7,610. That spread shows how property taxes can significantly affect homeowners, especially when assessed values rise or local rates change.
Median Tawas City Tax Bill
$2,895
Median Arenac County Tax Bill
$1,433
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$2,084
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Tawas City, Arenac County, Michigan
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48763 | $685 | $1,228 | $2,895 | $5,246 | $7,610 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | March 9 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Arenac Tax Assessor | |
| Website | bsaonline.com |