02._Property_Tax_Appeal_Petition_Form_Principal_Residence_Qualified_Agricultural_Exemption.0b4aa11f-9f68-4a3e-acbe-c15da07696cd.pdf
Bryan Battjes, Petitioner V Michigan Department Of Treasury, Respondent · 26-000350-TT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR PROPERTY TAX APPEAL PETITION FORM PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE EXEMPTION / QUALIFIED AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTION MOAHR DOCKET NO. Pursuant to Michigan Tax Tribunal Rule (TTR) 277(3), you MUST submit a copy of the notice giving rise to the appeal (e.g. Notice of Denial or Board of Review Decision) with this Small Claims Petition, if applicable. If you do not submit this document, you may be placed in default. Section 1: Petitioner’s Contact Information Filer Type: Individual First Name Bryan M.I. Last Name/Company Name Battjes Mailing Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 4948 Algonquin Way City or Town Okemos State Michigan ZIP Code 48864 Telephone Number 810-650-3839 Fax Number E-mail Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via e-mail) bbattjes@gmail.com Section 2: Petitioner’s Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information First Name M.I. Last Name Firm Name (if any) Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) City or Town State Michigan ZIP Code Telephone Number Fax Number E-mail Address Section 3: Subject Property Information Parcel Identification Number: 33200112312015 How many parcels are you appealing? 1 If you are appealing more than one parcel, are they contiguous or adjoining? If yes, use the attached multiple parcel form for information regarding any contiguous parcels. If no, you must file separate appeals for each non- contiguous or non-adjoining parcels or you will be defaulted. Property Address (No., Street, City, ST, ZIP) (If multiple, list first property’s address) 1149 W Saginaw St East Lansing
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR Michigan 48823 Taxing Authority: City Of East Lansing (INGHAM) County: Ingham Classification of Property: Real Residential Section 4: Check which of the following you are appealing Principal Residence Exemption Section 5: Explain the Reason for this Appeal Dear Honorable Member, Michigan Tax Tribunal, I am writing for your consideration of this petition as June Battjes was on the deed for 1149 W Saginaw St and this was her primary residence from Fall of 2020 until Fall of 2025. I didn’t receive the original notification from the Treasury regarding the question of primary resident exemption when it was sent in the fall of 2025. June had just moved out and my step daughter Brittany Pleiness-Knapp was in residence. Brittany did not notify me of the tax notifications as she assumed that I was getting notices sent to my Okemos residence. She made these assumptions because I have city utility bills, electric, and gas bills sent to my Okemos home. Brittany has difficulty managing these kinds of bills due to a traumatic brain injury she sustained when she was a young adult. She is able to be a successful adult working for the Michigan Attorney General as a Para Lega (white collar fraud/elder abuse division), but her Mom and I still have to help her manage organizational issues, especially pertaining to physical mail. She often forgets to collect the mail in a timely manner. While attending Law School, June had her mail come to our Okemos home as well because of Brittany’s struggles with managing the mail appropriately. I first learned of the denial of exemption finding when I received a tax bill from Ingham County in February of 2026 that had been mailed to my Okemos address. I purchased this home for June Battjes to live in while she pursued her higher education degree in July 2020. I lived in Fowlerville, MI at the time the home was purchased. At the time June was planning to attend Michigan State University in the fall. Timeline/Dates of Importance: July 2020: 1149 W Saginaw St was purchased by myself and my wife Kimberly Battjes August 2020: Daughter June Battjes moved into 1149 W. Saginaw St. East Lansing, MI 48823 September 2020: A Quitclaim deed was filed granting June 1% ownership of 1149 W Saginaw St and a Form 2368 was filed to establish this address as June’s primary residence. These steps were taken upon the direction of City of East Lansing authorities specifically for establishing this address as June’s primary residence. August 2020 thru May 2022: June attended MSU May 2022 to present: Step Daughter Brittany Pleiness-Knapp graduated from LCC with a Paralegal degree and moved from Pinckney to 1149 W. Saginaw St. when offered a position in Lansing as a Paralegal. May 2022 thru August 2022: June worked at Community Living Network in Mason, MI while residing at 1149 W Saginaw St August 2022: I moved my residence from Fowlerville to Okemos with my wife and son Nicholas Battjes. September 2022: June began attending University of Michigan Law School. We considered transferring her 1% share to her sister Brittany, but we did not after consulting the instructions for Form 2368 because June, although absent at times, intended to return to 1149 W Saginaw St, which she did indeed do during breaks from school when the dorms emptied out, over the summer, and after completing her education. She understood that she may accept a legal position in Ingham County upon graduation as there are many opportunities, and she has connections to the area. September 2022 thru May 2023: June stayed in the dorms at U of M Law school. May 2023 thru August 2023: June did an internship with Justice Cavanaugh of the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing and resided at 1149 W Saginaw St. September 2023 thru May 2024: June stayed in the dorms at U of M Law School. June 2025 thru October 2025: June lived at 1149 W. Saginaw St. while studying for the bar and applying for jobs. October 2025: June accepted a position as an assistant prosecutor for Kalamazoo County October 24 2025: Denial notice date December 2025: June removed furniture and belongings from her East Lansing home.
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STATE OF MICHIGAN GRETCHEN WHITMER GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS LANSING ORLENE HAWKS DIRECTOR February 22 2026: Request for an informal conference was submitted by email February 26 2026: Denial of Request for Informal Conference was denied I am more than happy to provide you with additional information as needed. Sincerely, Bryan Battjes 810-650-3839 bbattjes@gmail.com Section 6: Jurisdictional Issues List the year(s) denied: 2025 2024 2023 2022 Indicate who denied the exemption under appeal: Department of Treasury If you checked “other” above, explain: List the date the Principal Residence Exemption or Qualified Agricultural Exemption was denied: 10/24/2025 Fee Information A fee of $25.00 is required for the filing of this appeal unless you possess a Principal Residence Exemption of at least 50% at the time of the filing of this petition. Electronic Signature *Typing your name below will serve as your signature Petitioner or Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Signature: Bryan Battjes /s/