Instead of removing appliances to make a home seem uninhabitable, there are legal ways to lower a property’s assessment which may, in turn, reduce taxes. During the campaign season, much has been made of the alleged scandal involving our Goveneror elect and the mansion he… Read More »You Don’t Have to Remove Your Toilets to get Property Tax Relief in Cook County

As many as 31,000 senior citizens in Cook County may be eligible for the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption and as many as 21,000 senior citizens may qualify for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption. Available Tax Exemptions Property tax exemptions lower property taxes by reducing… Read More »Seniors in Cook County May Be Able to Slash Their Property Tax Bills

Although the Cook County Assessor’s Office has made changes to the residential valuation system to provide more equality to the residential property tax process, it has failed to address the same inequities in the commercial property side. In addition, some of the changes to the… Read More »Your Cook County House Is Worth What?

To find a Property Index Number (PIN), owners can look at their deed, tax bill, or other documentation from when the real estate was purchased. For those who are unable to locate these documents, the Cook County Assessor’s website is also an excellent source. Cook… Read More »How to Find Your Property Index Number (PIN)

When the property tax bill comes each year, it’s hard to focus on any other number except for the amount owed, but it’s important for taxpayers to understand how the county arrives at that bottom-line amount. How an Assessment Is Created The amount of property… Read More »Do You Need Help Understanding Your Assessment?

The Cook County Assessor wants residential and commercial property owners to challenge their assessments because appeals are vital for accuracy. There are 1.8 million properties in Cook County, which makes it difficult to account for variances. Fewer than 5 percent of property owners file appeals… Read More »The Cook County Property Tax Assessor Wants Chicagoans to Appeal

Commercial and residential property owners in Illinois can save thousands of dollars by appealing their property tax assessments. Since Cook County does not raise assessments based on whether an appeal was filed and there is no cost to challenge an assessment, property owners have nothing… Read More »You Have Nothing to Lose (and Everything to Gain) by Appealing Your Property Tax Assessment

People in Cook County may be eligible for property tax exemptions that could substantially reduce their tax bills. Individual’s exemptions are based on the characteristics of the property owners, including homeowners, senior citizens, certain veterans, disabled people, long-term occupants or people who have completed home… Read More »Do You Qualify for Property Tax Exemptions in Cook County?

It is important for Cook County property owners to carefully review their property descriptions because some types of errors may lead to higher property taxes. Residential property owners are fortunate; they have the ability to see mistakes in their property descriptions by reviewing the characteristics… Read More »Property Description Errors Could Raise Your Tax Bill

Property owners experience sticker shock every three years in Cook County when they receive their readjusted tax bill in the mail, and another round of property tax hikes will continue to jolt residents and business owners in 2022. The property tax increases have caused many… Read More »Are Your Property Taxes Breaking the Bank?