September 5, 2019
Understand Your Property Assessment
Tax Assessment Help Center Sessions Start Soon
Property owners will be receiving their property assessment notices over the next few weeks. It's important for taxpayers to read, understand and check this notice for accuracy as it contains important information about their property. An assessment notice is not your tax bill. It is a value placed on your property by your township assessor to estimate the market value of your home as of Jan. 1, 2019.
To help taxpayers evaluate their property assessment notice, the Chief County Assessment Office is hosting several tax assessment help center sessions. Here, property owners can talk one-on-one with taxpayer advocates to understand the information on their assessment, see how to use the County's new web applications and learn about homestead exemptions, which can potentially provide tax relief.
Property owners also can visit their local township assessor's office or the Chief County Assessment Office at 18 N. County St., Waukegan, from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to receive assistance. No appointment is necessary.
New for 2019 - Appeals Must Be Filed Electronically
Property owners can appeal their assessment on their own through the Lake County Board of Review. No attorney is required for a residential appeal. Appeals can be done in a few minutes by using the new SmartFile E-Filing Portal.
Prior to filing a formal appeal to the Board of Review, property owners should contact their local township assessor’s office to discuss their concerns. Note that there is a 30-day deadline from the date of publication to file an assessment appeal. The filing deadline for each property is listed on the assessment notice.
Watch this video to learn how to file an appeal online.
Apply for Homestead Exemptions Online
The new SmartFile E-filing Portal provides an easy way for property owners to apply for homestead exemptions. Homestead exemptions can provide tax relief to eligible homeowners, as it exempts taxable value prior to the calculation of property taxes. In Illinois, exemptions are available for general homestead, seniors, disabled persons, disabled veterans, returning veterans (within the last two years) and home improvements. Learn about the homestead exemptions available.
More Information
The Chief County Assessment Office created a web page with assessment publishing dates, appeal filing deadlines for each township, and helpful information and resources for the 2019 assessment notice season. Visit assessor.lakecountyil.gov/notices.
|
