Illinois | Chicago | Cook County

Appealing residential property taxes in Cook County, Illinois, involves several key steps.

Here's a summarized guide:

  1. Understand Your Assessment Notice: Cook County sends out property assessment notices annually. This notice details your property's assessed value, which is used to calculate your property taxes. Check the notice for any errors in property description or discrepancies in assessment.

  2. Deadlines and Filing Period: Pay attention to the filing deadlines. You typically have 30 days from the date your township's assessments are announced to file an appeal.

  3. Research Comparable Properties: Gather evidence by researching similar properties in your area (often referred to as "comps"). Your goal is to prove that your property’s assessed value is higher than these comparable properties. The Cook County Assessor's website and other real estate websites can be helpful for this research.

  4. File Your Appeal: You can file an appeal with the Cook County Assessor's Office. This can often be done online. Your appeal should include your property's identification number and any evidence you have gathered to support your claim that your assessment is too high.

  5. Board of Review: If you are unsatisfied with the Assessor's decision, you can appeal to the Cook County Board of Review. Similar to the initial appeal, you need to provide evidence supporting your case.

  6. Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) or Circuit Court: If the Board of Review decision is also unfavorable, you have the option to appeal to the State of Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board or file a lawsuit in the Circuit Court.

  7. Consider Professional Help: You might consider hiring a property tax attorney or a consultant specializing in property tax appeals. They can provide expertise and assistance throughout the appeal process.

  8. Impact on Future Taxes: Be aware that successfully appealing your property taxes can lower your tax bill for the current year and potentially future years, but it might also result in an increase in future assessments.

Remember, every property is unique, and the success of an appeal can depend on various factors, including the quality of your evidence and the specifics of your situation. It's advisable to stay informed about local tax laws and any changes in the appeal process.