Tag Archives: board of review

Last Chance to Appeal Your Cook County Property Taxes for 2015

Cook County Property Tax Appeal

Give yourself a holiday gift in the form of a property tax reduction that can amount to hundreds or thousands per year, every year.

You still have time to appeal your property tax assessment if you live in one of the Cook County townships listed below – even if you’ve already appealed at the Cook County Assessor’s Office. However, the Board of Review windows are about to close for good for 2015.

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Board of Review Announces 6 More Townships will open for 2015 Property Tax Appeals

Cook County Property Tax Appeal

The Cook County Board of Review has announced that 6 more townships will open on 11/9/15 for 2015 property tax appeals. The deadline to file a complaint is 12/8/15 for the following townships:

  • Hyde Park
  • Leyden
  • Orland
  • Proviso
  • Wheeling
  • Worth

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Congrats on Your New Home: Now Get Your Property Tax Reduction

Cook County New Home Buyer Property Tax ReductionCongratulations on your new home. What could be a better housewarming present than a property tax reduction that could save you thousands per year?

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, upgrading from a condo to a single-family home or relocating to Cook County, you’re entitled to appeal your property taxes twice a year: once at the Cook County Assessor’s Office and once at the Cook County Board of Review.

We recommend that you appeal at both, every year. Like many of our clients, you may see an annual reduction from $1,500 to $15,000 per year.

How Property Tax Reductions Work

When your purchase price is lower than your assessed value, we can make a compelling case for a successful appeal. Kensington Research has access to the purchase price and assessed value for every home in Cook County, so we can quickly identify discrepancies.

However, that is not the only grounds for a successful appeal. Our proprietary property tax reduction algorithm identifies other discrepancies and unclaimed exemptions that can result in a compelling reduction.

Property Tax Reduction Timing

If you bought (or are planning to buy) a new home in Cook County during 2015, you can start off the new year right by first appealing at the Cook County Assessor’s Office in early 2016, which starts opening townships for appeal in January. Then you can also appeal at the Board of Review starting in September.

Estimate Your 2016 Property Tax Reduction Now

We can provide you with a free estimate today for how much you can expect for a property tax reduction so you can plan for next year. It just takes a few minutes by phone. Then, when the Cook County assessor opens up the property tax appeal window for your township, we’ll notify you to begin the process and there are no up-front costs to you.

We only get paid if you see a reduction, so we only appeal cases we believe we can win so we don’t waste your time or ours, and we’ve got the experience of working on over 10,000 successful property tax appeals in Cook County.

Don’t Mistake Property Taxes as a Fixed Cost

Your mortgage payment is high enough. You don’t have to pay more than your fair share of property taxes on top of that and, if you don’t appeal, there is an extremely high likelihood that you will do so.

Get your free property tax appeal reduction estimate today

Board of Review Announces 5 More Townships will open for 2015 Property Tax Appeals

The Cook County Board of Review has announced that 5 more townships will open on 9/14/15 for 2015 property tax appeals. The deadline to file a complaint is 10/13/15 for the following townships:

  • Barrington
  • New Trier
  • Lake View
  • Palatine
  • Lyons

Contact Us to Learn More

Cook County Condo Association Property Tax Appeals

Cook County Condo Property Tax AppealIf you own a condominium in Cook County, you’re entitled to appeal your property taxes with the Assessor’s Office and Board of Review just like any other homeowner. However, there are a few key differences and best practices that will help you ensure a maximum property tax reduction.

Agreement Approval

Condo property tax appeals generally need to be done on behalf of the condo association. An officer of the homeowner’s association needs to commission the appeal, with either the condo board’s approval by a 2/3 vote, or by the vote of a majority of the unit owners, in order to move forward with an appeal.

Condo Property Tax Appeal Best Practices

As for homeowners, the following property tax appeal practices apply in order to receive a maximum reduction:

Kensington Research has helped achieve tax relief for over 10,000 condo and homeowners in Cook County since 1999.

Contact us today to learn more about appealing your condo property taxes

Chicago Property Tax Hike: Getting Closer…

Chicago Property Tax Hike: Getting Closer...We’ve all heard about the City of Chicago’s proposed property tax increase to cover a gaping hole in the budget.

As Thomas Corfman of Crains Chicago reported on July 29, 2015, more and more city aldermen are getting on board the property tax hike train, which could amount to $250 million: a 32% year-over-year increase from the property tax levy in 2014.

An excerpt of his article:

“‘In normal times there would be mighty resistance (to a big property tax hike), but the aldermen and public as a whole have become educated as to just how dire the city’s financial situation is,’ said Ald. Joe Moore, 49th, who was elected in 1991 and ranks third in seniority on the council. ‘While there will still be considerable political blowback on a property tax vote, I don’t think it is fatal because the alternatives are worse.’

“Support for a city income tax as an alternative to a property tax hike is growing, said Ald. Roderick Sawyer, who represents the 6th Ward on the South Side. But such a solution would require a change in state law, and wouldn’t come quickly, if at all. In the meantime, while smaller tax hikes and budget savings will help, consensus is growing on the council that a big property tax hike will be necessary, aldermen say.”

Never a Better Time to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

The above serves as yet another reminder to appeal your property tax assessment, both at the Cook County Assessor’s Office and at the Board of Review. If you don’t, you may pay more than your fair share of property taxes.

Contact us to get a free property tax reduction estimate

Cook County Board of Review Opens 2015 Appeal Session

The Cook County Board of Review has opened the 2015 appeal session for the first group of townships. The deadline to file a complaint is 9/1/15. Below are the townships that are currently open:

  • Berwyn
  • Calumet
  • Cicero
  • Lemont
  • River Forest
  • Riverside
  • Norwood Park
  • Oak Park

Contact Us to Learn More