By: Jasmine West
Wayne County property owners have only days remaining to apply for a reduced-interest delinquent tax payment plan or preserve their right to claim money left over from a foreclosure sale.
Enrollment in the county’s Interest Reduction Stipulated Payment Agreement, known as IRSPA, closes Tuesday, June 30. A separate July 1 deadline applies to former property owners and lienholders seeking surplus proceeds connected to properties foreclosed in March 2026.
Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree is urging residents affected by either deadline to complete the required paperwork immediately.
“We are urging Wayne County residents to act immediately on both of these deadlines,” Sabree said. “Whether you are trying to keep your home by enrolling in a payment plan or looking to recover excess proceeds from a foreclosure sale, time is running out.”
The IRSPA program allows qualifying homeowners with delinquent property taxes to reduce the interest charged on those taxes from 18% to 6%. Past-due taxes can also be combined into one payment agreement.
The program is limited to owner-occupied homes. To qualify, the deed must be in the applicant’s name, the property must be the owner’s primary residence and a Principal Residence Exemption must be on file.
The program is scheduled to end June 30 unless it is renewed by the Michigan Legislature.
“Without action by the Michigan Legislature before June 30, this vital payment plan will end this month,” Sabree said. “So we are urging Wayne County property owners who are trying to pay back taxes to enroll while they still can.”
Residents can apply online or receive assistance at the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office, 400 Monroe St., on the fifth floor in downtown Detroit. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The second deadline involves properties that were foreclosed in March.
Under Michigan law, a former property owner or eligible lienholder may be entitled to money remaining after a foreclosed property is sold and the government recovers the taxes, fees and other amounts owed.
For example, when a property sells at auction for more than the minimum amount required to satisfy the tax debt, the difference may be available to eligible claimants as surplus proceeds.
Those seeking the money must submit a notarized Notice of Intent to Claim Interest in Foreclosure Sale Proceeds by Wednesday, July 1. Missing that deadline could result in the loss of the right to pursue the funds.
The deadline applies even though the affected properties are expected to be offered during Wayne County foreclosure auctions in September and October.
“We have already returned significant funds to Wayne County residents and property owners through the claims process, and we will continue working to return surplus proceeds to those who are eligible,” Sabree said. “However, the property owners must file a claim by July 1, 2026, or they will forfeit their right to those funds.”
Eligible claimants may include people who owned the property or held a qualifying financial interest, including certain mortgages or liens, at the time of the March foreclosure.
The Notice of Intent form must be completed, notarized and delivered to the Treasurer’s Office by hand or certified mail. Forms and additional information are available through the “Claims and Auction” section of the Treasurer’s Office website.
People who meet the July 1 filing deadline are expected to receive notice by Jan. 31, 2027, stating whether surplus proceeds are available. Eligible claimants would then need to file a motion with Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court between Feb. 1 and May 15, 2027.
The Treasurer’s Office recommends that residents seek legal assistance because the foreclosure claims process can be complicated. The State Bar of Michigan’s Legal Referral Service can be reached at 800-968-0738.
Property owners seeking help with delinquent taxes may call the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office at 313-224-5990. Walk-in assistance is also available during regular business hours.
Additional information about both programs is available at WayneCountyMI.gov/Treasurer.
