Skokie real estate Lawyer
Edward Balcsik
2164 W. Giddngs
Chicago, IL 60625
773 275-0754
Fax: 773 275-7115

Cook county property tax appeals. Property taxes are one of the negatives of owning real estate. If you own real estate you pay property tax.

Appealing your property tax assessment.

In Skokie, as with the rest of Cook County, you don't appeal your tax bil, but rather you appeal your tax assessment. You appeal the assessed value of the property. (Property taxes are determined by multiplying the assessed value of the property by an equalization factor and the tax rate for your jurisdiction. A lowered assessment means a lower tax bill.)

The assessed valuation of your real estate is determined by the Office of the Assessor of Cook County. For tax purposes, there are 38 townships in Cook County, eight of which are within the City of Chicago. The Office of the Assessor reappraises the market value of properties in one-third of the townships each year. Thus, each property is reappraised every three years. In addition, the Assessor has the authority to reappraise a property at any time. In the latter case, notice must be sent to you by the Assessor's Office if your assessment is increased.

In Cook County there is no requirement that you have a lawyer to file an assessment appeal. Appealing your assessment is moderately complex and it can be useful to have an attorney help you. Many attorneys, including myself, will take residential property tax appeals for a percentage of the first year tax savings. Thus, if we fail to win a reduction you pay no fee for the service.

When do I appeal my assessment?
The times vary depending on where in Cook County your property is located. Property owners in each township have a period of time each in which to file an appeal. If they do not their right to appeal the property tax assessment for that year has been forfeited.

My assessed value does not look that high, should I appeal?
Yes.

In Cook County real estate must be assessed at the following percentages of fair market value:

16 percent for farm land or real estate improved with residential buildings of less than seven units,
22 percent for unimproved real estate;
33 percent for properties improved with residential buildings of more than six units;
38 or 36 percent for properties improved with commercial or industrial buildings.

Thus the assessed value should only be a fraction of the market value. Don't be fooled by the assessed value being less than the market value of your home or real estate. Can I challenge my property taxes any other way?
Yes, you can challenge the tax rate. But unless your real estate is improved with a large structure and your real estate tax bill is very substantial, significant reductions in your bill will not likely result from protesting the tax rate.