Key Takeaways
- The clock runs about 25 months: Unpaid Flint taxes move to the Genesee County Treasurer on March 1, forfeit the next March 1, and foreclose on March 31 a year after that.
- The balance grows each month: The county adds a 4% fee and 1% interest a month in the first year, then 1.5% a month, a $175 forfeiture fee, and other administrative fees.
- Owner-occupants have relief options: Genesee County offers a one-year hardship postponement for qualifying homestead owners, and the City of Flint's HOPE exemption can cut the current year's bill.
- You can sell until redemption rights expire: A sale that closes before March 31 of the foreclosure year typically pays the delinquent taxes from the proceeds, and the rest goes to you.
- After foreclosure, watch July 1: To claim any remaining proceeds from the county's tax-foreclosure sale, a former owner must file Treasury Form 5743 by the July 1 after foreclosure.
If you are behind on property taxes in Flint, Michigan, you likely have more time and more options than a single overdue notice suggests. Genesee County tax foreclosure follows a fixed state calendar, and the County Treasurer's own FAQ says owners have "a total of 25 months to pay their taxes" from the day they turn delinquent. That window is long enough to pay, ask for a postponement, apply for an exemption, or sell on your own terms.
This guide covers the Genesee County details: the dates, the fees, the county's hardship program, the City of Flint's HOPE exemption, and what happens to your equity. For the general Michigan process, see our statewide Michigan property tax foreclosure guide. Nothing here is legal advice, and the Treasurer's office can confirm the exact balance on your parcel.
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Let's chatHow does Genesee County tax foreclosure work?
Genesee County tax foreclosure moves in three stages over about 25 months: delinquency, forfeiture, and foreclosure. Each stage starts on a date set by Michigan's General Property Tax Act, so the calendar is the same every year. Flint bills the taxes, but the County Treasurer collects them once they go unpaid.
Stage 1: Delinquency on March 1
The City of Flint sends a summer bill in July and a winter bill in December. The Treasurer's FAQ says summer bills are "normally due in September" and winter bills are "normally due in February." Any of those taxes still unpaid on March 1 are "returned as delinquent for collection" to the county (MCL 211.78a). From that day on, you pay the County Treasurer, not City Hall.
Stage 2: Forfeiture the following March 1
A year later, a house with taxes delinquent for 12 months or more "is forfeited to the county treasurer" (MCL 211.78g). Forfeiture does not take your ownership. You still hold title, you can still live there, and you can still pay or sell. Within 45 days, the Treasurer records a forfeiture certificate with the Register of Deeds, so the delinquency shows up on the title.
Stage 3: The court hearing and the March 31 deadline
By June 15 of the forfeiture year, the county files one petition in Genesee County Circuit Court listing every forfeited parcel not yet redeemed (MCL 211.78h). The court holds the foreclosure hearing no more than 30 days before the next March 1. The judgment takes effect on March 31, and "all redemption rights to the property expire" that day in an uncontested case (MCL 211.78k).
After March 31, title passes to the county, along with any equity in the house. The county does not get possession until April 1. The Treasurer's FAQ puts it plainly: once the foreclosure date passes, "the foreclosure is final."
| Date (2024 taxes as the example) | What happens in Genesee County |
|---|---|
| July and December 2024 | The City of Flint mails the summer and winter tax bills. |
| March 1, 2025 | Unpaid 2024 taxes transfer to the County Treasurer as delinquent. A 4% fee and 1% monthly interest start. |
| March 1, 2026 | Forfeiture. Interest rises to 1.5% a month, and a $175 fee is added. |
| By June 15, 2026 | The county files its foreclosure petition in Circuit Court. |
| Within 30 days before March 1, 2027 | The Circuit Court holds the foreclosure hearing. |
| March 31, 2027 | Foreclosure takes effect unless the taxes are paid. Redemption rights expire. |
| July 1, 2027 | Deadline to file Form 5743 to claim remaining proceeds from a later sale. |
| September and October 2027 | The county's tax-foreclosure sales, per the Treasurer's FAQ. |
The Treasurer's FAQ uses the same pattern with older years: 2020 taxes transferred on March 1, 2021, entered forfeiture on March 1, 2022, and faced foreclosure if unpaid by March 31, 2023.
What the delay costs: Genesee County penalties and fees
Delinquent taxes in Genesee County grow by a 4% fee plus 1% interest a month in the first year, then 1.5% a month after forfeiture, with a $175 forfeiture fee on top. The Genesee County Treasurer's FAQ (read October 2026) lists each charge. It adds that "additional administrative fees" also apply.
The higher rate reaches back in time. Under MCL 211.78g, the extra half percent is computed from the March 1 when the taxes first went delinquent. The county's delinquent-tax page says the same thing: at forfeiture the rate goes "from 1% per month to 1.5% per month, back to the date the taxes became delinquent."
An illustrative example
The figures below are illustrative only. They use $1,000 of unpaid 2024 taxes and the rates in MCL 211.78a and 211.78g, rounded. They leave out the county's other administrative, recording, and notice fees, so a real payoff will be higher.
- March 1, 2025: about $1,040 after the 4% fee.
- February 2026: about $1,160 after 12 months of 1% interest.
- March 1, 2026: about $1,395 after the retroactive half percent and the $175 forfeiture fee.
- March 31, 2027: roughly $1,590 if nothing is paid.
Two payment rules are worth knowing. The Treasurer "cannot waive penalties and interest," even when a bill never arrived. Personal checks are accepted only from March through December of the first delinquent year; after that, the office asks for a cashier's check, money order, or cash.
A City of Flint memo to City Council (December 2023) says unpaid water bills on an owner's account "automatically become a lien on the property and are added to the property tax bill if significantly delinquent." A water balance can feed the same county clock. Our guide to selling a Flint house with unpaid water bills or blight tickets covers those liens.
Where Flint owners stand in October 2026
In October 2026, Flint owners with unpaid 2024 taxes are in forfeiture and face foreclosure on March 31, 2027. Owners with unpaid 2025 taxes are in their first delinquent year. Those taxes forfeit on March 1, 2027, and face foreclosure on March 31, 2028, if they stay unpaid.
The two groups have different amounts of room. If you owe 2024 taxes, the March 31, 2027 date applies to you, and the county's postponement deadline falls on that date too. If you only owe 2025 taxes, paying before March 1, 2027 keeps the house out of forfeiture and avoids the $175 fee and the higher rate.
Some owners carry both years at once. The Treasurer's office at 810-257-3054 can give you a payoff for each tax year on your parcel. Have your ten-digit parcel number ready; it appears on any tax or assessment notice.
Paying in parts or postponing with the County Treasurer
Genesee County accepts partial payments at any time and offers a one-year foreclosure postponement to qualifying homestead owners. The Treasurer's FAQ says "partial payments are always accepted in any amount, at any time." Partial payments do not stop the clock alone, but they cut the balance that interest is charged on.
The Tax Foreclosure Postponement (Homestead)
The county's Delinquent Real Property page posts a Tax Foreclosure Postponement Form for homestead houses. The 2026 form describes "a one year extension on property foreclosure" for owners facing "substantial financial hardship." The rules on that form include:
- You must own and live in the house, with a 100% Principal Residence Exemption (PRE).
- A guardian, conservator, or agent under a power of attorney may apply for the owner.
- You bring photo ID, a deed or land contract, proof of income, and two pieces of current mail.
- First-time applicants pay a 10% deposit on the taxes and interest being postponed.
- Arrangements are made in person, and first-time applicants book an appointment at 810-257-3025.
- Approval must be renewed every year.
The form posted in 2026 covered 2023 taxes and required approval by March 31, 2026. The same calendar suggests the next cycle runs to March 31, 2027, but confirm the date with the office. The postponement adds time; the taxes, interest, and fees remain owed.
What counts as a hardship
The county's Foreclosure Hardship Policy, adopted under MCL 211.78h(3)(b), lists the qualifying hardships. One of them must apply:
- Income at or below 200% of the federal poverty standards
- Involuntary loss of income, or unavoidable, medical, household, or vehicle expenses
- Divorce, illness, death and burial, or a natural disaster
- Unique family ownership circumstances (one year only)
The same postponement form lists two outside sources of help. State Emergency Relief through Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services may help when the total delinquent tax is under $2,000. The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department takes delinquent-tax requests on Wednesdays, subject to funding.
The City of Flint HOPE exemption
The City of Flint's Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) can reduce or remove the current year's property tax bill for owner-occupants with low household income and few assets. HOPE is Flint's version of Michigan's poverty exemption (MCL 211.7u). Under the statute, the Board of Review can grant a full exemption or a 75%, 50%, or 25% reduction in taxable value.
The City of Flint HOPE page (read October 2026) sets these 2026 limits:
- Household income up to $31,300 for one person and $42,300 for two, with $11,000 more for each added member.
- Total household assets no higher than $15,000, counting items such as other real estate, boats, stocks, and IRAs.
- Michigan Treasury Form 5737, filed with proof of income and ID for every adult in the house.
- A filing deadline of 4:00 p.m. on December 11, 2026.
HOPE is an annual application, and you must reapply every year. The City notes that special assessments, such as garbage pickup and streetlights, are still owed. The page describes a cut to the current year's taxes; it says nothing about clearing older delinquent years. Ask the Treasurer how an approved exemption fits with any balance already at the county.
Can you sell a house before tax foreclosure in Michigan?
You can sell a Flint house before tax foreclosure at any point up to March 31 of the foreclosure year, even while it sits in forfeiture. MCL 211.78g lets the house be redeemed at any time before that date by paying the full delinquent balance. A sale is one way to make that payment.
How the taxes get paid at closing
At a typical closing, the title company requests a payoff from the County Treasurer for every delinquent year. It pays that amount from the sale proceeds, along with any current-year taxes owed to the City. The Treasurer then issues a redemption certificate that is recorded with the Register of Deeds. The Treasurer's FAQ notes that a warranty deed needs the Treasurer's certification that taxes are paid before it can be recorded.
What is left after the taxes, any mortgage, and other liens goes to you. You do not need to find the tax money before you sell. That can make a sale workable when paying the balance and keeping the house is out of reach.
Why the timing matters for equity
Before March 31, the equity in the house belongs to you. After that date, a forfeited house and "any equity associated with" it vest in the county (MCL 211.78g). For context, the median sale price in Flint was $65,969 over the three months through September 2026 (Redfin, September 2026). Houses there sold after a median of 36 days on the market (Redfin, September 2026).
A listing can work if the house is ready and you have months before the deadline. A cash sale can fit when time is shorter or the house needs work. Propcash buys Flint houses directly, as-is, and makes one cash offer based on local market data, with the reasoning shown. Closings can happen in as few as 7 days, and you pick the date. You can get a cash offer on your Flint house with no obligation, or read more about selling a house fast in Flint.
A sale only redeems the house if it closes and the county receives payment before the deadline. The Treasurer's office does not accept postmarks; a payment counts on the day the office receives it. If a mortgage, an estate, or a title question is involved, allow extra time.
If the house came to you through a parent or relative, the probate steps can affect timing. Our guide to selling an inherited house in Flint covers Genesee County Probate Court.
After foreclosure: claiming remaining proceeds
A former owner can claim the money left over from the county's tax-foreclosure sale, but only by filing a notice with the County Treasurer by the July 1 after foreclosure. Since July 2020, MCL 211.78t requires that notice "by the July 1 immediately following the effective date of the foreclosure." For a March 31, 2027 foreclosure, that deadline is July 1, 2027.
The deadline arrives before the sale. The Treasurer's FAQ says the county's tax-foreclosure sales are held in September and October. You file before you know the sale price.
The steps under MCL 211.78t
- File Treasury Form 5743, notarized, with the Genesee County Treasurer by certified mail or personal service.
- By the January 31 after the sale, the county mails each claimant a notice showing the sale price and the remaining proceeds.
- From February 1 to May 15, file a motion in Circuit Court to claim your share. The Treasurer's page links Form CC 540 for this.
The statute deducts the delinquent taxes, the county's foreclosure and sale costs, and a sale charge equal to 5% of the price. A claim pays only what is left after those deductions, and only after the court process. The county's older delinquent-tax page still says "foreclosure is final," which is true for getting the house back but not for this claim.
Your options at a glance
Flint owners behind on county taxes have five main paths, and the right one depends on income, equity, and whether you want to stay. For other kinds of foreclosure pressure, see our page on selling a house facing foreclosure.
| Option | Who it fits | Deadline or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Pay in full | Owners who can cover the payoff | Before March 31 of the foreclosure year |
| Partial payments or hardship postponement | Owner-occupants with a 100% PRE and a documented hardship | Approved in person by March 31; renewed yearly; 10% deposit for first-time applicants |
| HOPE exemption | Owner-occupants under the City's income and $15,000 asset limits | December 11, 2026 for the 2026 year; reapply yearly |
| Sell before foreclosure | Owners with equity who cannot or do not want to keep the house | Closing and payoff before March 31 |
| Claim remaining proceeds | Former owners after foreclosure | Form 5743 by July 1; court motion February 1 to May 15 |
These paths can overlap. An owner might file for HOPE for the current year, make partial payments on older years, and still sell before March 31. If a cash sale is not the best fit for your situation, Propcash tells you so and points you toward a better one.
Why wait? Sell your house “as is” for cash today
Tell us about your house. We'll make you a cash offer based on local market data.
Let's chatFrequently Asked Questions
How long does Genesee County give Flint owners to pay delinquent property taxes before foreclosure?
Genesee County gives Flint owners about 25 months, from the March 1 when taxes turn delinquent to the March 31 foreclosure date two years later. Forfeiture comes in the middle, on the second March 1, and adds a $175 fee and a higher interest rate. Until March 31 of the foreclosure year, you can still pay the balance and keep the house.
Can you sell a Flint house while it is in tax forfeiture?
You can sell a Flint house in tax forfeiture, because forfeiture leaves the title with you until redemption rights expire on March 31 of the foreclosure year. The title company typically pays the delinquent taxes, interest, and fees from the sale proceeds at closing. The remaining money, after any mortgage and other liens, goes to you.
Does the City of Flint HOPE exemption erase back taxes?
The City of Flint HOPE exemption reduces the current year's property tax bill for eligible owner-occupants, and the City's page does not describe it as clearing older delinquent years. For 2026, household income must be at or below $31,300 for one person, and assets cannot exceed $15,000. Ask the Genesee County Treasurer how an approved exemption affects any balance already at the county.
Who qualifies for the Genesee County hardship postponement?
The Genesee County hardship postponement is open to owners who own and live in the house with a 100% Principal Residence Exemption and can show a substantial financial hardship. Qualifying hardships include income at or below 200% of federal poverty standards, involuntary loss of income, medical expenses, divorce, and a death in the family. The postponement lasts one year, requires in-person approval by March 31, and must be renewed every year.
If Genesee County forecloses, can a former owner still get money from the sale?
A former owner can still get money from the county's tax-foreclosure sale, but only by filing Michigan Treasury Form 5743 with the County Treasurer by the July 1 after foreclosure. The form must be notarized and sent by certified mail or delivered in person. The county then mails a notice of any remaining proceeds, and you file a motion in Circuit Court between February 1 and May 15 to collect.
Will the County Treasurer waive penalties if you never received a tax bill?
The Genesee County Treasurer will not waive penalties and interest for a missed tax bill, because the Treasurer's FAQ says the office "cannot waive penalties and interest." The state holds each owner responsible for knowing the taxes are paid. If a bill did not arrive, the Treasurer can print a delinquent tax statement for a $1 fee.
Sources: Genesee County Treasurer FAQ, Delinquent Real Property page, 2026 Tax Foreclosure Postponement Form, and Foreclosure Hardship Policy; City of Flint HOPE page; City of Flint rental inspection memo (December 2023); Michigan General Property Tax Act (MCL 211.7u, 211.78a, 211.78g, 211.78h, 211.78k, 211.78t); Redfin (September 2026). Propcash is a direct cash homebuyer, not a law firm or tax advisor. For advice on your situation, contact the Genesee County Treasurer or a Michigan attorney.