Monthly Archives: March 2020

Are All Property Tax Appeal Services the Same?

Property Tax Appeal Service: Buyer BewareAs with many things, doing your homework is the key to success in appealing your property tax assessment, especially in Chicago and throughout Cook County.

Some homeowners receive mailings from lawyers and other services they never heard of. Others see billboards and other advertising from online services. Are they legit or is it a scam? Do they have the right experience or is it vaporware?

Here’s what you can do to determine whether to use a property tax appeal service and which one could be the right fit for you.
Continue reading →

Assessment Notices Mailed For New Trier and Norwood Park

Assessment notices have been mailed by the Cook County Assessor’s office for New Trier and Norwood Park. If you own property in either of these townships the one month window to appeal your 2017 assessment at the Assessor’s office is now open. The deadline to file an appeal is April 3rd.Cook County Property Tax Appeal

Cook County has 38 townships which it divides into three groups for the purposes of reassessment: city, north suburbs and south suburbs. New Trier and Norwood Park townships are both located in the north suburbs group.  The next scheduled triennial reassessment year for the north suburbs group is 2019. However, you may appeal your assessment every tax year, including in non-reassessment years. Due to regular changes in the housing market we believe reviewing your assessment annually, to determine whether or not an appeal makes sense, is in your best interest.

Get Your Free Property Tax Reduction Estimate

Oak Park Property Assessment Notices Mailed

Oak ParkThe Cook County Assessor’s office has mailed 2018 assessment notices to Oak Park homeowners. Property owners have 30 days to appeal their assessment, through the Assessor’s office, up to the deadline of Monday, April 2nd.

Whether you successfully appealed your Oak Park property last year or not we recommend you review your assessed value every year to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes. The housing market changes monthly, and therefore reviewing your assessment annually, and appealing when there is an argument to be made, is very important (county officials also recommend this).
Continue reading →

Property Tax Exemption Deadline Approaching for Some Cook County Homeowners

Exemption Deadlines for Some Cook County Homeowners ApproachingEligible Cook County homeowners who did not receive the Homeowner Exemption in 2018 need to file an application for exemption with the Cook County Assessor’s Office by March 6.

The Homeowner Exemption reduces the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of a primary residence by $10,000. Your property tax bill is calculated by multiplying the tax rate in your local district by the EAV. The Homeowner Exemption is available to anyone who owns or leases their principal place of residence in Cook County and is responsible for the property taxes.

The exemption renews automatically so it is not necessary to reapply if you are still living in the same home where you received the exemption last year.
Continue reading →

Cook County Homeowners Risk Paying Too Much in Property Taxes When They Don’t Appeal

Cook County Homeowners Risk Paying Too Much in Property Taxes When They Don't AppealThe least favorite piece of mail Cook County homeowners receive hit their mailboxes last month: the dreaded property tax bill.

It requires payment by March 1 of a sum equal to 55% of last year’s taxes. And it’s only the first tax installment. The second, in July, will reflect last year’s big tax increases and those planned this year for Cook County and Chicago.

“Ironically, these tax bills serve as a reminder that you should always appeal your taxes, but by the time you receive the bill it is often too late to appeal for that year,” said Frank Dal Bello, CEO of Kensington Research and Recovery, the Chicago-based, Cook County property tax appeal and refund recovery consultants.

Continue reading →

Assessor Mails 2017 Oak Park Reassessment Notices

Triennial reassessment notices were mailed on March 1st for Oak Park Township. The opportunity to appeal your assessment at the Assessor’s office is now open. The deadline to appeal is Monday, April 3rd.Cook County Property Tax Freeze

There are 38 townships in Cook County and they are divided into three groups for the purposes of reassessment within a triennial cycle. Oak Park Township is part of the south suburban triennial group which is being reassessed in 2017. Valuation statistics for Oak Park Township are located here.

Get Your Free Property Tax Reduction Estimate

Assessment Notices Mailed to Berwyn Township

Berwyn Township2018 assessment notices were mailed to Berwyn Township property owners today. The Cook County Assessor’s 30 day window for homeowners to appeal their assessment will be open until the closing date of Monday, April 2nd.

Berwyn Township was reassessed in 2017. Whether you successfully appealed your assessment last year or not we recommend you review your property’s assessment every year to ensure you never pay more than your fair share in property taxes. The housing market is constantly changing and therefore reviewing your assessment annually, and appealing when there is an argument to be made, is really important (we are not the only ones recommending this).
Continue reading →