26-001205 Vac Default Dismiss (no BOR).pdf

Matthew Mazi Petitioner V Township Of Commerce Respondent · 26-001205-TT

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STATE OF MICHIGAN 

 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

GOVERNOR 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

LANSING 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

 

 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL · 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 · 517-335-9760 

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 · Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906 

Matthew Mazi, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

 

Petitioner, SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION 

 

v 

 

MTT Docket No. 26-001205 

 

Commerce Township, 

 

Presiding Judge 

Respondent. 

 

Patricia L. Halm 

 

ORDER VACATING AUGUST 28, 2026 ORDER HOLDING PETITIONER IN DEFAULT 

 

ORDER OF DISMISSAL 

 

The Tribunal has considered the file in this case and finds that it entered an order 

holding Petitioner in default on August 28, 2026, for failing to file a copy of the notice 

giving rise to the appeal, i.e., March Board of Review (BOR) results. Upon review, it 

has been determined that the Tribunal erred in the entry of this order and, as a result, 

the August 28, 2026 Order Holding Petitioner in Default shall be vacated. 

 

Further, the Tribunal finds it has no authority over Petitioner’s appeal. Petitioner is 

appealing the true cash and taxable value of Parcel No. 1709202914. The petition 

indicates that the property is classified as residential and that Petitioner did not protest 

the assessment to the March BOR. A protest to the March BOR is a prerequisite to 

invoking the Tribunal’s jurisdiction over such properties under MCL 205.735a. As such, 

and inasmuch as the Tribunal has no equitable power to waive or otherwise disregard a 

statutory filing requirement or deadline,1 it has no authority to grant Petitioner the relief 

requested.2 

 

The Tribunal notes that the petition contends that the Assessment Change Notice was 

not properly sent to Petitioner. However, as demonstrated above, this argument is not 

in conformity with the Tribunal’s statutory duties and is therefore made under equitable 

or constitutional terms. As a result of the foregoing, dismissal of this proceeding is 

appropriate.3 Therefore, 

 

1 The Tribunal’s powers are limited to those authorized by statute and do not include powers of equity. 

See Federal-Mogul Corp v Dep’t of Treasury, 161 Mich App 346 (1987), Elec Data Sys Corp v Flint Twp, 

253 Mich App 538 (2002), and VanderWerp v Plainfield Twp, 278 Mich App 624 (2008). 

2 The Tribunal also has no authority over Petitioner’s appeal under MCL 211.53a, as the facts alleged do 

not establish a prima facie case indicating that the assessment was the result of a clerical error (i.e., “an 

error of a transpositional, typographical, or mathematical nature”) or a mutual mistake of fact (i.e., “an 

erroneous belief, which is shared and relied on by both parties”). See International Place Apartments – 

IV v Ypsilanti Township, 216 Mich App 104 (1996), Ford Motor Company v City of Woodhaven, 475 Mich 

425 (2006), Eltel Associates, LLC v City of Pontiac, 278 Mich App 588 (2008), and Briggs Tax Service, 

LLC v Detroit Public Schools, 483 Mich 1024 (2009). 

3 See Sixarp, LLC v Byron Twp, __Mich __; __ NW3d __ (2025) (Docket No 166190).

MTT Docket No. 26-001205 

Page 2 of 2 

 

IT IS ORDERED that the August 28, 2026 Order Holding Petitioner in Default is 

VACATED 

. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this case is DISMISSED. 

 

This order resolves all pending claims in this matter and closes this case. 

 

APPEAL RIGHTS 

If you disagree with the final decision in this case, you may file a motion for 

reconsideration with the Tribunal or a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of 

Appeals. 

 

A motion for reconsideration must be filed with the Tribunal with the required filing fee 

within 21 days from the date of entry of the final decision. Because the final decision 

closes the case, the motion cannot be filed through the Tribunal’s web-based e-filing 

system; it must be filed by mail or personal service. The fee for the filing of such 

motions is $50.00 in the Entire Tribunal and $25.00 in the Small Claims Division, unless 

the Small Claims decision relates to the valuation of property and the property had a 

principal residence exemption of at least 50% at the time the petition was filed or the 

decision relates to the grant or denial of a poverty or disabled veterans exemption and, 

if so, there is no filing fee. You are required to serve a copy of the motion on the 

opposing party by mail or personal service or by email if the opposing party agrees to 

electronic service, and proof demonstrating that service must be submitted with the 

motion. Responses to motions for reconsideration are prohibited and there are no oral 

arguments unless otherwise ordered by the Tribunal. 

 

Alternatively, you may file a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals. If the 

claim is filed within 21 days of the entry of the final decision, it is an “appeal of right.” If 

the claim is filed more than 21 days after the entry of the final decision, it is an “appeal 

by leave.” A copy of the claim of appeal must be filed with the Tribunal to certify the 

record on appeal. There is no certification fee. 

 

 

Entered: October 1, 2026 

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ Patricia L. Halm 

kac/jc 

 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

 

I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives. 

 

By: Tribunal Clerk

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