Appealing your property assessment

There are several grounds for a property tax appeal.  The most common are -

• A lack of uniformity
• Major factual errors in the description of a property
• Property that has been demolished or damaged by fire or flood
• Purchase price or new construction

There are three levels of property tax appeal available to property owners in Stickney Township and throughout Cook County.  They are -

The Cook County Assessor's Office (CCAO)

• Sends out assessment notices
• Appeal by deadline
• Can appeal online
• No hearing on appeal
• Does not grant tax refund for successful appeal
• Assessed value reduction reflected on second installment tax bill
• Does grant tax refund for missed exemptions (up to three years)                             

The Couk County Board of Review (BOR)

• Appeal by deadline
• Assessor-level appeal not required
• Can appeal online (as of September 2011)
• Hearing on appeal - attendance not required
• Does not grant tax refund for successful appeal
• Assessed value reduction reflected on second installment tax bill

The Property Tax Appeal Board of Illinois (PTAB)

• Appeal by deadline - 30 days after BOR close
• BOR-level appeal required
• Hearing on appeal - attendance required
• Cannot appeal online
• Does grant tax refund for successful appeal

All appeals must be filed in a timely manner.  Contact our office to determine the filing deadlines for each level.

The Assessor's Office and BOR offer the most immediate relief to property taxpayers.  Successful appeals result in a reduction of assessed value.  Assessed value is the taxable portion of the estimated market value of a property.