Providing Property Tax Relief Since 1999
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:
The Cook County Board of Review has announced that Lake Township opened on 10/14/15 for 2015 property tax appeals.
The deadline to file a 2015 property tax appeal at the Board of Review is November 12, 2015.
Congratulations 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
If 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.
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.
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
The Cook County Board of Review has opened 7 more townships for 2015 property tax appeals. The deadline to file a complaint is 9/15/15 for the following townships:
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.”
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.
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:
Did you miss your window to appeal your property taxes with the Cook County Assessor, or did you file an appeal with them only to have it denied?
You only have a month to appeal and the Cook County Assessor’s Office only sends out one assessment notice to a homeowner when the window to appeal opens for your township.
If so, remain calm: you can appeal when the Cook County Board of Review opens their window for your township in the second half of this year. Their purpose: “Ensuring Fair and Timely Review of Property Assessment Appeals throughout Cook County.” As it states in their mission statement, “The Board of Review serves to be an impartial judge of property assessments; a separate office to provide a check and balance to the Assessor’s Office which is responsible for initially determining your total assessment.”
The Board of Review has the authority to reduce your property tax assessment and our clients were successful 77% of the time last year with appeals through their office. Board of Review property results come 3-6 months after their appeal window closes. Have no fear: even if you receive results in the new year your new revised assessment will be applied to your second installment tax bill!
Even if you did appeal your property taxes with the Cook County Assessor, an additional reduction is still possible by also appealing with the Board of Review. Our clients’ more than 10,000 successful appeals include many instances of achieving property tax reductions at both the County Assessor and the Board of Review.
And, because so much changes from year to year, we recommend that you appeal every year with both the Cook County Assessor and Board of Review, especially in the first year of each township’s triennial reassessment.
Since there are no costs and absolutely no risk, all Cook County homeowners should consider appealing their property taxes at these offices. Consider also using a service like ours: no upfront costs, no risks and we track all the deadlines at both offices so you don’t have to.
Over 90% Success Rate on Property Tax Appeals & Protests
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