Chicago Homeowner Property Tax Rebate Applications Due 11/30

Update: the tax rebate deadline to file applications has been extended to December 31, 2016

Property Tax Rebate ChicagoIn an effort to offset his recent $838 million property tax hikes over the past year, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city council have implemented a homeowner rebate program.

Qualified homeowners will receive $25 to $200. You may also qualify for an additional $150 senior supplement and hardship grant that extends your total rebate up to $1,000.
Not many people know about it—we just learned about it and we follow Chicago and Cook County property tax appeal-related news closely—so please read below and share with anyone you think may meet the qualification criteria.
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Can Cook County Retaliate for Property Tax Appeals?

Property Tax Appeal Retaliation in Cook CountyA question that we get a lot about appealing property taxes in Cook County is whether or not the County Assessor or anyone else can retaliate for a successful property tax appeal and reduction.

Since we started working on property tax appeals, we’ve found no evidence of retaliatory measures of any kind.

Instead, we’ve discovered the opposite.
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Property Tax Impact on O’Hare Flight Path Homes

Property Taxes for Chicago O'Hare Flight Path HomeownersWhile Cook County property taxes have skyrocketed for just about every homeowner thanks to Rahm Emanuel’s combined $838 million property tax hikes over the past year, there are some who actually saw theirs decrease.

However, there’s a “catch” for these homeowners and here’s what can be done about it.
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Cook County Property Tax Hikes: Impact on Renters

Property Tax Impact on Chicago RentersAn often overlooked impact of Rahm Emanuel’s combined $838 million property tax hikes over the past year is the impact it’s having on renters.

How can apartment building owners relieve the financial pressure without increasing rents that drive out renters, particularly in the face of additional property tax increases looming on the horizon? There is only one thing that can be done…
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The Compound Effect of Property Tax Appeals

property-tax-appeals-compound-effectIn 1716, Christopher Bullock in The Cobbler of Preston wrote, “‘Tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes.”

Considering the growing, unfunded pension liabilities of Chicago and the suburbs, you can count on further property tax increases.
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Cook County Board of Review Announces 5 More Townships Open for 2016 Property Tax Appeals

The Cook County Board of Review has announced that 5 more townships opened on 10/17/16 for 2016 property tax appeals. The deadline to file an appeal is 11/15/16 for the following townships:Cook County Property Tax Appeal

  • Elk Grove
  • Lyons
  • Norwood Park
  • Stickney
  • Lake

Contact Us to Learn More

Illinois Takes Your Unclaimed Federal Savings Bonds

Illinois Takes Your Unclaimed Federal Savings BondsThe State of Illinois recently passed a bill where they will claim your federal savings bonds if you don’t claim them within 5 years of maturity. This did not make the news.

As part of our government refund service, we monitor the activities of Illinois and Cook County so that we can help you claim refunds that you are unaware of. Periodically, we run across activities like this that would not otherwise see the light of day.
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Veterans: Be Sure to Claim Your Property Tax Exemptions

Veteran Cook County Homeowner Property Tax ExemptionsFor many years, Jack Schaller of Chicago’s oldest continuously operating bar, paid zero property taxes in the face of ballooning increases – and this is completely legal and fair.

Why? Because he was a veteran and a senior and he took advantage of all exemptions available to him.

If you’re a veteran homeowner in Cook County and you’re not claiming any veteran-related exemptions, you are likely paying much more than your fair share. After all, you’ve served your country so you should at least claim the exemptions you deserve.
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