Cook County property tax appeals: common questions
Plain answers. Nothing here is legal advice; the official sites and an Illinois attorney are the final word.
How do I appeal my property taxes in Cook County?
Check whether your home is assessed higher than similar homes, then file online with the Cook County Assessor while your township's window is open, and with the Board of Review when its window opens. Both are free. Step-by-step guide.
When is my appeal deadline?
It depends on your township. The Assessor opens each township for about 30 days after notices are mailed, and the Board of Review opens townships in batches later. See deadlines by township or by city.
Do I need a lawyer to appeal?
No. Homeowners can file their own residential appeals, and filing is free. In the Board of Review's own decision data, homeowners who filed alone won a reduction about as often as, or more often than, attorney-filed appeals. An attorney is required if the property is owned by an LLC, corporation or trust.
What is a uniformity appeal?
It argues that similar homes nearby are assessed at a lower value per square foot than yours. The Board of Review accepts it with 3 to 5 comparable homes. That's the comparison this site runs.
How much could I save?
Your result shows an estimate: the gap between your assessed value and what the comparable homes suggest, times the state equalizer and your tax rate. A $1,000 cut in assessed value is very roughly $200 to $425 a year off a bill. Results aren't guaranteed.
Is this site run by Cook County?
No. It's an independent site that reads the Assessor's public data. We never file appeals or represent anyone.
What's in the $29 evidence kit?
A ready-to-attach PDF with the comparable homes in the Board's format, recent sales, the math, a statement you can paste into the appeal form, and step-by-step filing instructions, plus the comparables as a CSV. Full refund within 3 days. The check itself is always free.
Can I check a condo?
Not yet. The Assessor doesn't publish condo unit sizes, so condos can't be compared by square foot.
What happens after I file?
The office reviews the evidence and mails or posts a decision, usually weeks to months later. If the Board of Review denies your appeal, you can take it to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of the Board's decision.
Am I getting all my exemptions?
Exemptions often save more than an appeal, and a missed one can usually be claimed for up to three past years. Use the exemption check.
Check your home
Free. No sign-up. Compares your home with the 5 to 10 most similar homes nearby, from the Assessor's own data.