Larry SuffredinCook County Commissioner
Appealing Your Assessment 101
Today we will cover:
• How your assessment is calculated
• How to appeal your assessment
• How my office can help property owners
Appealing Your Assessment 101
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Your property is re-assessed every 3 years
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2019, 2022, 2025 2020, 2023, 2026 2021, 2024, 2027
Barrington Berwyn Hyde Park
Elk Grove Bloom Jefferson
Evanston Bremen Lake
Hanover Calumet Lakeview
Leyden Cicero North
Maine Lemont Rogers Park
New Trier Lyons South
Niles Oak Park
Northfield Orland
Norwood Park Palos
Palatine Proviso
Schaumburg Rich
West Chicago River Forest
Wheeling Riverside
Stickney
Thornton
Worth
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North suburban residents appeal in the greatest numbers
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Evanston appeal patterns
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Median increases in Evanston assessments
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How to calculate assessed value
Assessed Value (AV) is the percentage of the Fair Market Value. In Cook County, property is assessed at different levels by Classification:
– Residences: 10% (single family homes, Condos, Townhouse)
– Businesses: 25% (commercial, industrial, retail)
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Your assessment is just one component of your tax bill
Tax Bill (what you owe)
Equalizer Tax Rate
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Ways to appeal your assessment
You should appeal to both the Assessor and Board of Review annually
As an additional step, homeowners can appeal through the State of IllinoisProperty Tax Appeal Board or through the Circuit Court of Cook County
Assessor Board of Review
Sets taxable value on real estate
First body property owners can appeal to
Limits the scope of evidence in appeal
Does not allow for a hearing
Serves as a three judge appeals board
Second body property owners can appeal to
Allows greater scope of evidence in appeal
Allows property owners to attend a hearing
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What can you appeal?
Your Assessed Value– Not your tax liability
– Not your tax rate
– Not the equalizer
– Not the amount of your exemptions
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Exemptions
• Exemptions reduce assessed value before the tax rate is applied.
– Homeowner – Primary residence
– Senior Citizen – 65 years old; apply EVERY YEAR
– Senior Freeze – 65 years old and household income <$65,000
– Disabled Persons Exemption
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My office can help make sure you receive the exemptions you are
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How to appeal with paper (residential)
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How to appeal with paper (condos)
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How to appeal online (step 1)
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How to appeal online (step 2)
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How to appeal online (step 3)
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How to appeal online (step 4)
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Where can you find comparable property evidence?
www.CookCountyPropertyInfo.com
• Look up any piece of property in Cook County
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CookCountyPropertyInfo.com
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Important Websites
• CookCountyPropertyInfo.com– Status of property– Exemption status– Tax bill status (paid)– Comparable properties
• CookCountyBoardOfReview.com– Appeal assessment online– Important dates and deadlines– History of assessment appeals with the Board
• CookCountyAssessor.com– Exemption forms
• CookCountyTreasurer.com– Tax liability for this year and last year
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Assisting Taxpayers
• Exemptions/Certificates of Error
• Corrections of property characteristics
• Host outreaches/office hours
• Tax exempt properties
Further assistance
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Contact for further assistance
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Name Mitzi Gibbs
Position Cook County Commissioner Property Tax Assessment Reviewer
Address 820 Davis St. Suite 104Evanston
Morton Civic Center2100 Ridge Ave.Evanston
Phone (847) 864-1209 847-448-8168
Contact email [email protected] [email protected]
Appointments M-F; 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. M-F; 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed for lunch; 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Questions?
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