Michael E. Byczek
Attorney
Real estate tax assessments by county government are used to set the dollar amount of annual taxes paid. Lower assessments mean a lower tax bill.
Homeowners may appeal the assessment value of their home only during specific time periods throughout the year.
In Cook County, your first opportunity to appeal the property tax assessment is with the Assessor (www.cookcountyassessor.com) once a year during a designated period for your township.
If the deadline is over, or the Assessor did not reduce the assessment, you may file an appeal with the Cook County Board of Review (www.cookcountyboardofreview.com) during their own designated period available once a year.
The Illinois Property Tax Code grants each taxpayer the right to submit a written appeal to both agencies.
The assessor is required to revise the assessment books and correct them. (35 ILCS 200/9-85).
The board of review is required to review the assessment and confirm, revise, correct, alter, or modify the assessment. (35 ILCS 200/16-95).
If the Board of Review does not reduce your assessment, there are two options still available: submit another appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board in Springfield or file a lawsuit for a judge to fix the assessment error.
The most common type of tax appeal is based on lack of uniformity. That means your home is being assessed at a higher level than similar properties. Comparable properties should be within a reasonable distance and similar in size, type of construction, age, construction materials, style, and general condition.
Results are not guaranteed because Cook County administrators have the sole discretion to keep taxes the same, or to reduce the assessment by a percentage they deem fair.
Full Legal Package
Complete package of everything needed to submit an appeal with each of the three government agencies.
Homeowner Assistance as a Consultant
Consultation to file an appeal with each of the three county and state agencies. You will receive at least five comparable properties that are similar in age, construction, and location to your home to submit an appeal on your own behalf without an attorney.
Use the comparable properties to decide for yourself whether your home's assessment is fair.