Estate of Marguerite Schubert v. Department of Treasury ( 2017 )

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
ESTATE OF MARGUERITE SCHUBERT and FOR PUBLICATION
DALE E. SCHUBERT PERSONAL December 21, 2017
REPRESENTATIVE, 9:05 a.m.
Petitioner-Appellants,
v No. 337121
Tax Tribunal
DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, LC No. 15-000240-TT
Respondent-Appellee.
Before: MURPHY, P.J., and M. J. KELLY and SWARTZLE, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Petitioner, Dale Schubert as personal representative for the Estate of Marguerite
Schubert, appeals as of right the Tax Tribunal order determining that the Estate was not entitled
to a principal residence exemption (PRE), MCL 211.7cc(1), for the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013
tax years. For the reasons stated in this opinion, we affirm.
I. BASIC FACTS
The subject property (823 S. Lakeshore Drive) is a residential property located in
Ludington, Michigan. Schubert and her husband purchased the property in 1977. According to
petitioner, she first filed an affidavit claiming a PRE for the property in 1994, and it was granted
at that time.1 It appears that from 1994 until 2013, Schubert continued to claim and receive a
PRE on the property. However, around August 2013, the Department began an audit on the
property. And, on November 14, 2013, the PRE was denied for the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013
tax years after the Department determined that it was not owned and occupied as Schubert’s
principal residence.
1
A copy of the 1994 affidavit is not available in the lower court record; however, this fact is not
disputed by the Department.
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Schubert, through her personal representative, sought an informal conference before the
Department’s PRE unit. The hearing was held on September 22, 2014.2 Petitioner asserted that
before her retirement, Schubert was a public school teacher in Midland, Michigan. After her
retirement, she continued to use a Midland apartment as her mailing address until her son took
over responsibility for her bills. Additionally, her extended family remained in Midland, and she
continued to see doctors in Midland. Petitioner represented to the conference referee that
Schubert intended to live at the Ludington property during her retirement. Schubert’s son
explained at the conference that Schubert seasonally resided in Florida, Arizona, Midland, and
Ludington, but that she spent most of the year at the Ludington property.3 He maintained that
Schubert only kept the apartment in Midland for convenience. In the summer of 2012, Schubert
moved into a rehabilitation center, where she stayed until September or October 2012. She then
returned to the subject property. In the fall of 2013, she entered a different rehabilitation facility,
where she remained until her death in 2014.
Despite the facts presented by petitioner, the Department maintained that its denial of the
PRE was proper for a number of reasons. First, it questioned whether Schubert was an “owner”
as defined by MCL 211.7dd(a). Second, it contended that there was no evidence that Schubert
occupied the property as her principal residence during the 2010 through 2013 tax years. Third,
the Department asserted that in 2012 and 2013, when Schubert was at the rehabilitation facilities,
she did not maintain an intent to return to the subject property and she did not meet the
requirements to retain the exemption under MCL 211.7cc(5)(a), (b), or (c).
The informal conference referee found that Schubert was an owner of the property
because she was a grantor who had placed her property in a revocable trust. See MCL
211.7dd(a)(vi). The referee, however, determined that petitioner had failed to present any
documentation showing that the Ludington property was Schubert’s principal residence, whereas
the Department presented a number of documents to show that Schubert’s principal residence
was her Midland apartment. The referee further stated that because there was no evidence that
the Ludington property was Schubert’s principal residence during the 2010 through 2012 tax
years, petitioner could not establish that Schubert was entitled to retain the exemption under
MCL 211.7cc(5).4
2
Schubert died on May 22, 2014.
3
In a March 2016 submission of evidence, petitioner clarified that Schubert spent about 8
months per year at the property, typically from mid-March to mid-November; she spent the other
months in Florida, Arizona, Texas, or Midland, Michigan.
4
In relevant part, MCL 211.7cc(5) provides:
An owner of property who previously occupied that property as his or her
principal residence but now resides in a nursing home or assisted living facility
may retain an exemption on that property if the owner manifests an intent to
return to that property by satisfying all of the following conditions:
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On February 13, 2015, the informal conference recommendation was adopted as the
Department’s final decision under MCL 211.7cc(8). Petitioner appealed the decision to the Tax
Tribunal, asserting that Schubert had established a PRE for the property in 1994 and had
thereafter continuously maintained the property as her primary residence until her death in 2014.
In response, the Department conceded that Schubert owned the Ludington property, but
contended that she did not occupy it as her principal residence for the tax years at issue. It
presented documentary evidence showing that Schubert’s driver’s license listed her Midland
address until September 2013, that her 2009 through 2012 Michigan Income tax returns listed
her Midland address, that her voter registration history listed her Midland address and indicated
that she was registered to vote in Midland, and that her vehicle registration address was her
Midland address. In addition, the Department submitted a copy of a PRE Questionnaire
completed by petitioner during the August 2013 audit, which indicated that the property was
occupied “seasonally,” and a letter from Schubert’s son admitting that the Midland address was
Schubert’s permanent mailing address.
Petitioner responded by submitting a number of documents to establish that Schubert
owned and occupied the property as her principal residence for the tax years in question. In
particular, he submitted copies of envelopes sent to Schubert at her Ludington address in 2013
and 2014; a tax refund check from 2014 that reflected Schubert’s Ludington address; a copy of
the certificate of title for Schubert’s vehicle that listed her Ludington address; a copy of
Schubert’s Michigan identification card apparently issued in September 2013 that proclaimed
Schubert’s address was in Ludington; a copy of Schubert’s voter identification card stating that
as of 2014 she was registered to vote in Ludington; a copy of Schubert’s voter details stating that
she had voted absentee in 2008, 2010, and 2012;5 a copy of her obituary published in a
Ludington area newspaper; an affidavit indicating that a letter to Schubert’s creditors was
published in a Ludington area newspaper; a document purporting to show that Schubert’s will
was probated in the county that Ludington is located within; and progress notes from Schubert’s
(a) The owner continues to own that property while residing in the nursing
home or assisted living facility.
(b) The owner has not established a new principal residence.
(c) The owner maintains or provides for the maintenance of that property
while residing in the nursing home or assisted living facility.
(d) That property is not occupied, is not leased, and is not used for any
business or commercial purpose.
5
This document showed that Schubert was registered to vote using her Midland address in
December 2007, but changed the address where she was registered to vote from Midland to
Ludington in October 2013.
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rehabilitation home noting that shortly before her death Schubert requested to be taken back to
Ludington.6
On June 17, 2016, the Tribunal issued a final opinion and judgment, affirming the
Department’s denial of the PRE for tax year 2010, 2011, and 2013, but reversing its denial for
the 2013 tax year.7 Petitioner moved for reconsideration, arguing in part that petitioner had not
been allowed sufficient time to rebut the Department’s evidence. On July 15, 2016, the Tribunal
granted the motion, finding that rebuttal evidence may have been improperly excluded. The
Tribunal ordered that the rehearing be limited to one hour, and it subsequently denied
petitioner’s motion to extend the time for the hearing to two hours. At the rehearing, petitioner
submitted additional evidence, including copies of unredacted individual income tax returns for
2009 through 2012, a copy of the first page of Schubert’s 2010-2012 Michigan Homestead
Property Tax Credit claim, and a copy of a letter from Consumer’s Energy stating that the
subject property had not received external electrical services since June 2008.
On February 1, 2017, the Tribunal affirmed the Department’s denial of the PRE for the
2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 tax years. The Tribunal determined that in order to qualify for a
PRE, a person must both own and occupy a property as his or her principal residence on or
before the relevant date of the tax years involved. The Tribunal held that although there was no
question that Schubert owned the property during the relevant tax years, there was a question as
to whether she occupied it as her principal residence. The Tribunal found that, based on the
evidence presented, it was clear that Schubert “had a presence” at the property; however, it found
that her Midland address was her principal residence. The Tribunal explained that Schubert used
her Midland address for her 2009 through 2012 income tax returns; that she was registered to
vote in Midland until October 3, 2013; that her Michigan Identification Card listed her Midland
address until September 13, 2013; and that her vehicle was registered in Midland in 2010. The
Tribunal further found that virtually all of petitioner’s documentary evidence was developed
after Schubert was audited in August 2013. Finally, the Tribunal found that because Schubert
did not occupy the property as her principal residence before moving into a nursing home,
petitioner did not qualify under MCL 211.7cc(5) for a PRE for the 2013 tax year.
II. PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Petitioner argues that the Tribunal erred by affirming the Department’s denial of a PRE
for the property for the 2010 through 2013 tax years. In the absence of fraud, this Court reviews
decisions by the Tax Tribunal for misapplication of the law or adoption of a wrong principle.
6
Additional exhibits were submitted; however, they are not pertinent to the issues raised on
appeal.
7
The June 2016 order concluded that petitioner was entitled to a PRE for 2013 because of the
provision in MCL 211.7cc(5) applying to an owner in a nursing home or other rehabilitation
facility.
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Power v Dep’t of Treasury, 301 Mich App 226, 229-230; 835 NW2d 622 (2013). When the
Tribunal’s findings of fact are supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence on the
whole record those findings are conclusive. EldenBrady v City of Albion, 294 Mich App 251,
254; 816 NW2d 449 (2011). “[S]tatutes exempting persons or property from taxation must be
narrowly construed in favor of the taxing authority.” Power, 301 Mich App at 230 (quotation
marks and citation omitted). The burden of proving entitlement to a tax exemption rests with the
person claiming the exemption. Stege v Dep’t of Treasury, 252 Mich App 183, 189; 651 NW2d
164 (2002).
Issues regarding the proper interpretation and application of a statute are reviewed de
novo. Manske v Dep’t of Treasury, 282 Mich App 464, 468; 766 NW2d 300 (2009). When
interpreting a statute, our main goal is to determine the Legislature’s intent. EldenBrady, 294
Mich App at 254. The most reliable indicator of the Legislature’s intent is the words used in the
statute. Id. Therefore, we first examine the statutory language, giving the words used their plain
and ordinary meaning. Id. at 254-255. If a statute defines a word or phrase, that definition is
controlling. Orthopedic Assoc of Grand Rapids, PC v Dep’t of Treasury, 300 Mich App 447,
451; 833 NW2d 395 (2013).
II. ANALYSIS
“Michigan’s principal residence exemption, also known as the ‘homestead exemption,’ is
governed by §§ 7cc and 7dd of the General Property Tax Act, MCL 211.7cc and MCL 211.7dd.”
EldenBrady, 294 Mich App at 256. Under MCL 211.7cc(1), “[a] principal residence is exempt
from the tax levied by a local school district for school operating purposes . . . if an owner of that
principal residence claims an exemption as provided in this section.” In order to receive the
exemption, a taxpayer must file an affidavit claiming the exemption. Power, 301 Mich App at
231. MCL 211.7cc(2) sets forth the requirements for the affidavit:
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5), an owner of property may
claim 1 exemption under this section by filing an affidavit . . . . The affidavit
shall state that the property is owned and occupied as a principal residence by
that owner of the property on the date that the affidavit is signed and shall state
that the owner has not claimed a substantially similar exemption, deduction, or
credit on property in another state. . . . If an owner of property filed an affidavit
for an exemption under this section before January 1, 2004, that affidavit shall be
considered the affidavit required under this subsection for a principal residence
exemption and that exemption shall remain in effect until rescinded as provided in
this section. [Emphasis added.]
In part, the Legislature defined the term “principal residence” to mean “1 place where an owner
of the property has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home to which, whenever absent, he or
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she intends to return and that shall continue as a principal residence until another principal
residence is established. . . .”8 MCL 211.7dd(c).
In the proceedings before the Tribunal, the Department contended that, read together,
MCL 211.7cc and MCL 211.dd(c) require a person claiming a PRE to occupy the property as his
or her principal residence during every tax year the exemption is claimed. The term “occupied”
is not defined by the statute. If a word or phrase is undefined by the statute, we may turn to a
dictionary for definitions. EldenBrady, 294 Mich App at 255. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate
Dictionary (11th ed) defines “occupy” in relevant part as “to reside in as an owner or tenant.” In
turn, “reside” is defined as “to dwell permanently or continuously: occupy a place as one’s legal
domicile.” Id.; see also EldenBrady, 294 Mich App at 259 (defining “unoccupied” in MCL
211.7dd(c) as meaning without a human tenant or resident). Accordingly, it is clear that a person
must dwell either permanently or continuously at a property in order to “occupy” the property.
On appeal, however, petitioner asserts that Schubert only had to occupy the property on
the date that she filed the affidavit claiming the PRE under MCL 211.7cc(2). MCL 211.7cc(2)
requires an owner to aver that the property “is owned and occupied as a principal residence by
that owner of the property on the date that the affidavit is signed . . . .”9 Petitioner further
contends that the definition of “principal residence” in MCL 211.7dd(c) includes only an
ownership, not an occupancy requirement. We agree that the first sentence of the definition in
MCL 211.7dd(c) does not contain an occupancy requirement. However, the second sentence of
the definition provides that “[e]xcept as otherwise provided in this subdivision, principal
residence includes only that portion of a dwelling or unit in a multiple-unit dwelling that is
subject to ad valorem taxes and that is owned and occupied by an owner of the dwelling or unit.”
MCL 211.7dd(c).10 Further, the definition goes on to provide in later sentences that under
certain circumstances, portions of unoccupied property may be included in the definition of
principal residence. See MCL 211.7dd(c); see also EldenBrady, 294 Mich App at 259 (finding
8
The definition of “principal residence” additionally sets forth a number of situations in which
property is considered to be part of the principal residence even if it does not strictly meet the
above definition. See MCL 211.7dd(c). For example, the statute explains that under some
circumstances unoccupied property can be included in the definition of principle residence, as
can portions of a property that are rented or leased to another person. See MCL 211.7dd(c).
9
This requirement likely reflects the fact that an affiant cannot generally aver to events that may
occur in the future. In that regard, it is axiomatic that a person claiming a PRE on his or her
property could not properly aver that he or she currently owns and occupies the property as his or
her principal residence and will continue to own and occupy the property as his or her principal
residence for the next 50 years.
10
We recognize that this portion of the definition expressly applies to multiple-unit dwellings,
see Rentschler v Twn of Melrose, ___ Mich App ___, ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2017) (Docket No.
336333); slip op at 3. However, because we must read a statute in context to produce a
harmonious whole, it is nevertheless relevant to our analysis. See generally Robinson v City of
Lansing, 486 Mich 1, 15; 782 NW2d 171 (2010).
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that an unoccupied 10-acre parcel that was adjoining or contiguous to the petitioners dwelling
satisfied the definition of principle residence set forth in MCL 211.7dd(c)). It makes little sense
to distinguish between times when unoccupied property qualifies as a principle residence and
times when it does not if there were not an underlying requirement that the property must be both
owned and occupied as a principal residence. In addition, MCL 211.7cc(5) expressly provides
that a person who is not occupying his or her property because he or she is residing in a nursing
home or assisted living facility must satisfy a number of requirements to retain the exemption. If
a property did not have to be occupied beyond the date set forth in the affidavit, then the
language providing this exception from the occupancy requirement would be nothing more than
surplusage. See Robinson v City of Lansing, 486 Mich 1, 21; 782 NW2d 171 (2010) (stating that
we should avoid a construction of a statute that would render any part of it surplusage or
nugatory). Accordingly, we conclude that under the plain language of the statute, a person
claiming a PRE on a property must establish that he or she owned and occupied the property as a
principal residence for each year that the exemption is claimed.
Petitioner next argues that the Tribunal erred by finding that Schubert used her Midland
apartment as her principal residence and so could not claim her Ludington property as her
principal residence. MCL 211.7dd(c) provides that “principal residence” means “the 1 place
where an owner of the property has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home to which,
whenever absent, he or she intends to return and that shall continue as a principal residence until
another principal residence is established.” (Emphasis added). Petitioner directs us to consider
the phrase “shall continue as a principal residence until another principal residence is
established.” This language suggests that once a property is established as an owner’s principal
residence the sole way for it to lose its status as a principal residence is if the owner establishes a
new principal residence. Petitioner then contends that in order to establish a new principal
residence the owner must, in fact, own the new property.
However, MCL 211.7dd(c) only defines the phrase “principal residence.” It does not
provide that if a property is, at one time or another, an owner’s principal residence, that the
owner will be entitled to the PRE in MCL 211.7cc(1) until such time as he or she establishes a
new principal residence. Instead, MCL 211.7cc(5) provides that “after exempted property is no
longer used as a principal residence by the owner claiming an exemption, that owner shall
rescind the claim of exemption by filing with the local tax collecting unit a rescission form
prescribed by the department of treasury.” (Emphasis added). Thus, in order to be entitled to the
PRE, an owner claiming the exemption has a continuing requirement to use the property as his or
her principal residence. In order to use a property as his or her principal residence, it must be
“the 1 place where an owner of the property has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home to
which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return . . . .” MCL 211.7dd(c). And as explained
supra, it must also be a property that he or she occupies. Because the definition of “principal
residence” clearly provides that a person can only have one place that he or she holds out as his
or her “true, fixed, and permanent home to which, whenever absent, he or she intends to return,”
if a person stops using the exempted property in that fashion and starts using a rented apartment
as his or her true, fixed, and permanent home, then that person, by definition, is no longer using
the exempted property as his or her principal residence and must rescind the PRE under MCL
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211.7cc(5). As such, even though MCL 211.7dd(c) provides that a person’s principal residence
will continue until a new principal residence is established, a person cannot continue to claim a
PRE on a property that he or she no longer uses as a principal residence.11
Schubert never rescinded the PRE on her Ludington property. The Department, however,
was not required to wait until she filed a rescission under MCL 211.7cc(5). MCL 211.7cc(8)
provides:
The department of treasury shall determine if the property is the principal
residence of the owner claiming the exemption. Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (21), the department of treasury may review the validity of exemptions
for the current calendar year and for the 3 immediately preceding calendar years.
Except as otherwise provided in subsections (5) and (32), if the department of
treasury determines that the property is not the principal residence of the owner
claiming the exemption, the department shall send a notice of that determination
to the local tax collecting unit and to the owner of the property claiming the
exemption, indicating that the claim for exemption is denied, stating the reason
for the denial, and advising the owner claiming the exemption of the right to
appeal . . . .
Consequently, the Department was entitled to review the PRE claim to determine if the
Ludington property was Schubert’s principal residence. Further, in accordance with that power
to review the PRE claim, the Department was free to determine whether Schubert owned and
occupied the property and whether she had stopped using it as her principal residence.
Having determined that the Tribunal did not commit an error of law by requiring
petitioner establish occupancy, we next turn to whether there was competent, material, and
substantial evidence on the whole record to support the Tribunal’s findings.
Because a principal residence is defined as one’s “true, fixed, and permanent home,”
MCL 211.7dd(c), and because the burden of proving a tax exemption falls to the person claiming
the exemption, Stege, 252 Mich App at 189, petitioner had to present evidence linking Schubert
to the Ludington address. A person can present that evidence in the form of testimony or
11
Petitioner’s interpretation of the statute would lead to absurd results. Assume, for example,
that a person has a principal residence as that term is defined in the first part of the definition.
Assume further that the principal residence is wholly destroyed in a fire. Under petitioner’s
interpretation, unless the (former) owner of the residence (1) owns a new residence and (2)
otherwise satisfies the definition in MCL 211.7dd(c), his or her principal residence will
necessarily continue to be the wholly destroyed residence despite the fact that there is literally no
residence left for the owner to claim as his or her true, fixed, and permanent home to which,
whenever absent, he or she intends to return. Because we must construe MCL 211.7dd(c) to
avoid such absurd results, see Houghton Lake Area Tourism & Convention Bureau v Wood, 255
Mich App 127, 142-143; 662 NW2d 758 (2003), we reject petitioner’s interpretation.
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documentary evidence. Generally, documentary evidence relevant to whether a person occupies
the property as his or her principal residence can include utility bills, driver’s licenses, tax
documents, other documents showing the petitioner’s address, and voter registration cards. See
generally Drew v Cass Co, 299 Mich App 495, 500-501; 830 NW2d 832 (2013). No single
document is conclusive. Id.In this case, Schubert’s son testified at the hearing regarding Schubert’s intent. Petitioner
also presented a number of documents purporting to show that Schubert owned and occupied the
Ludington property as her principal residence during the tax years in question. The Department
responded by submitting a number of documents purporting to show that Schubert was
occupying her Midland apartment as her principal residence. Weighing the competing evidence,
the Tribunal found that Schubert’s Midland apartment was being occupied as her principal
residence, not her Ludington property.
On appeal, petitioner attacks the credibility of the documentary evidence submitted by
the Department. We briefly address each challenge in turn.
First, petitioner argues that the “drivers license search result” document submitted by the
Department did not show conclusively that Schubert lived in Midland during the tax years at
issue. Instead, petitioner contends the document shows that Schubert resided, at various times, in
Texas, in Midland, in Ludington, and at a post office box. He correctly points out that although
the document is dated March 2015, it does not contain any dates indicating when she lived at any
of the places listed. Instead, the document states that the “current” address on Schubert’s
identification card is her Ludington address, whereas Schubert’s Midland address is listed as a
“historical” address. A copy of Schubert’s most recent identification card was also submitted. It
proclaimed Schubert’s address as her Ludington address; however, it was issued in September
13, 2013, which was after the Department began its audit of the subject property. Given this
evidence, the Tribunal could reasonably conclude that Schubert’s identification card was
changed from Midland (one of her historical addresses on the driver’s licenses search document)
to Ludington in 2013, which would make Ludington her current address. As such, the Tribunal’s
reliance on this document was not improper, despite the fact that it could arguably be interpreted
in petitioner’s favor.
Next, petitioner asserts that the 2009 through 2012 Michigan Income Tax Returns do not
provide proof that Schubert’s principal residence was her Midland apartment. He acknowledges
that the tax returns proclaim in line 1 that Schubert’s “home address” was her Midland
apartment. However, petitioner asserts that because Schubert lived in Ludington from about
mid-March until about mid-November, and because the tax returns were completed while she
was not living on the property, Schubert was required to list her address as her Midland
apartment. His argument, however, goes to the weight of the documents. And “[t]he weight to
be accorded to the evidence is within the Tax Tribunal discretion.” Drew, 299 Mich App at 501.
“[T]his Court may not second-guess the [Tribunal’s] discretionary decisions regarding the
weight to assign to the evidence.” Id.
Similarly, we find no error with the weight the Tribunal accorded to Schubert’s
Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim forms for 2010 through 2012. Petitioner argues that
Schubert listed her Midland address because that was where she was living on December 31 of
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the relevant years, not because her Midland address was her principal residence. In support,
petitioner points out that line 36 of the Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim asks the taxpayer
“Address where you lived on December 31, [of the tax year], if different than reported on Line
1.”12 The fact that the Tribunal did not credit this explanation for the address listed in Line 1
goes to the weight of the evidence, which we may not second-guess on appeal. See id.13
Petitioner also challenges the weight given to the voter registration records. The
information indicated that Schubert registered to vote using her Midland address on October 30,
2007. It also indicated that on October 3, 2013, she registered to vote using her Ludington
address. According to the document, Schubert last voted in November 2012, which would be
when she was registered to vote in Midland, not Ludington. Therefore, this document supports
the Tribunal’s findings of fact, despite the fact that it does not conclusively tie Schubert to her
Midland apartment for the tax years at issue.
The challenge to the weight of the submitted vehicle registration information fails for the
same reason. According to the document submitted, Schubert’s vehicle was registered using the
Midland address on October 13, 2006 and again on September 12, 2010. On September 9, 2013,
a title was issued for the vehicle that listed Schubert’s Ludington address. Petitioner contends
that this document only reflects registration of the vehicle in Schubert’s name so that her son
could try and sell the vehicle for her. Petitioner also asserts that Schubert’s son testified at the
hearing that Schubert no longer drove the vehicle (or others) during the tax years in question.
The Tribunal, however, heard such testimony and decided to accord some weight to the address
and date listed on the vehicle registration document. We find nothing improper in that exercise
of discretion.
Finally, petitioner contends that the notation “seasonally” on the PRE Questionnaire
submitted as part of the August 2013 audit does not prove that Schubert only used the property
seasonally. In Part 2 of the questionnaire, the notation “seasonally” is handwritten in response to
the question “Do you currently live at the property listed in Part 1?” The property in Part 1 is
12
Furthermore, we fail to see how this establishes that the address in Line 1 was not Schubert’s
principal residence. It appears that there is no date requirement listed for Line 1, which would
allow Schubert to list her Ludington address on Line 1 and her Midland address (the place she
was living on December 31 of the relevant tax years) on Line 36.
13
Petitioner also takes issue with the Department’s decision to whiteout certain information on
the Homestead Property Tax Credit Claim form. However, we have carefully reviewed the
redacted and unredacted versions of the form and do not see any attempt to mislead the Tribunal
by whiting out the information. Moreover, the Tribunal did not rely on the whited out
information in any form when reaching its decision
In addition, petitioner contends that because the 2012 Homestead Property Tax Credit
form lists the Ludington address in Line 1, per the Tribunal’s logic, that should mean that
Schubert is entitled to a PRE for 2012 on the subject property. However, the 2012 tax return
appears to have been prepared after the audit was conducted; moreover, no one document is
dispositive. See Drew, 299 Mich App at 501.
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Schubert’s Ludington property. Although we agree that this notation is not conclusive, we do
not agree that it was improper for the Tribunal to rely on it in reaching its decision. The Tribunal
was not required to credit petitioner’s explanation for the notation.
Having carefully and thoroughly reviewed each exhibit submitted to the Tribunal, we
conclude that although petitioner challenged the evidentiary value of the Department’s evidence,
the Tribunal was still entitled to rely on those documents when reaching its decision. And on
this record, we conclude that the Tribunal’s finding that Schubert was using her Ludington
property as her principal residence, not her Midland apartment, was supported by competent,
material, and substantial evidence on the whole record. See EldenBrady, 294 Mich App at 254.
Affirmed.
/s/ William B. Murphy
/s/ Michael J. Kelly
/s/ Brock A. Swartzle
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