Michigan Tax Tribunal

Huron Nottawaseppi Property Tax Dispute

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Battle Creek Inquirer:

ATHENS — Athens Township’s attorney said the township has no means to collect back taxes from the local Potawatomi.

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi’s Pine Creek Reservation in Athens Township was federally entrusted in summer 2008, making it untaxable land. But that came after it was assessed for 2008, so the tribe was billed for those taxes.

The tribe didn’t pay, saying it didn’t owe as a federally recognized tribe. The unpaid 2008 taxes are part of a pending Michigan Tax Tribunal case: The Potawatomi also has asked that taxes it paid from 2004 to 2007 be returned.

At the township board meeting Tuesday, Assessor Marcia Bails read a letter from Jim Norlander, township counsel. It said even though the property was assessable for 2008, Pine Creek now is federal property and can’t be foreclosed upon.

Continue reading →

Nottawaseppi Huron Band Tax Dispute

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From Indianz:

The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi says it won’t pay local taxes until the Michigan Tax Tribunal resolves its case.

The tribe says it is owed a refund on more than $90,000 in township, school, county and state taxes. The tribe says it shouldn’t pay because the Pine Creek Reservation is held in trust. But Athens Township says the tribe owes the money because the reservation wasn’t taken into trust until the summer of 2008. The treasurer says the bill comes to $112,770 for 2008. The tribe won federal recognition in 199.

Get the Story:
Tribe’s taxes go unpaid as dispute continues (The Battle Creek Enquirer 1/12)

Related Stories:
Nottawaseppi Huron Band negotiates service deal (1/7)

Huron Nottawaseppi Awaits Decision from Michigan Tax Tribunal on Tax Status of Pine Creek Reservation

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

Tribe awaits ruling on tax-exempt status

ATHENS TOWNSHIP — The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi is awaiting a Michigan Tax Tribunal decision on whether the tribe is liable for township taxes on its Pine Creek Reservation.

Continue reading →