Wednesday Hearing on Maturen’s ‘Dark Stores’ Proposed Tweak

Property taxes paid to local municipalities by so-called "big box" retailers is not what it should be. So says Rep. Dave Maturen (R-Brady Township), who is seeking a tweak to the law.

Maturen's proposal seeks to keep big retailers from paying property taxes on the basis that their stores are empty, rather than functioning. He says it can result in an inequitable Michigan Tax Tribunal determination when the body hears a tax dispute.

The proposal is to be discussed in a Michigan House of Representatives Tax Policy Committee hearing Wednesday, April 27 in Lansing.

In a press release, Maturen's office said "House Bill 5578 would require the entire Michigan Tax Tribunal to make its own, independent determination of the highest and best use of the property that is the subject of the appeal and insure that the comparable properties have the same highest and best use."

Hear Maturen discuss the issue on The Richard Piet Show, as well as other legislative items, by clicking the player below.

Hear The Richard Piet Show weekday mornings from 5:30-9 on WBCK.