Assessment & Appeal
From Ann Maine
Lake County Board
District 21
Fall 2010
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| A Note From Ann | Dear Neighbors,
I have pulled together a number of resources for you to help in understanding the assessment process and how you can appeal your assessment.
Sincerely,
Lake County Board and Forest Preserve
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news. Persons who wish to automatically receive these free updates should send their email address information to: amaine@lakecountyil.gov or click "join our mailing" list above. |
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Property Assessment Notices |
Assessments are done by the Township assessor. They are published at different times in the summer and fall, depending on the township. I encourage you to discuss your questions regarding your property assessment valuation with your local township assessor's office.
Remember that you only have 30 days from the publication date to appeal your property assessment valuation.
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Is my assessment accurate? |
Your assessment notice states that you should check the accuracy of your assessment valuation. How do you do that?
1. Start by making sure the information on your property is correct. Are the right number of bathrooms and bedrooms listed? Are the outdoor improvements such as decks and porches correct? If there are inaccuracies, contact your Township assessor's office. They will be able to help you correct errors.
3. You can obtain a property appraisal from a state licensed appraiser indicating the value as of January 1, 2010. |
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What if I disagree with my assessment? |
1. Determine the fair cash value for your property (this is based upon 3 years of sale transactions prior to the assessment date).
2. Discuss the assessment with your township assessor's office.
3. Determine the basis for your formal appeal.
4. File a written appeal with the Board of Review by your
5. Present evidence of an unfair assessment to the Board of Review at the hearing. Find your assessment with PIN or by address
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Filing an assessment valuation appeal |
Taxpayers may file an appeal of their assessed valuation with the Lake County Board of Review no later than 30 consecutive days from the actual publication date for your township. All appeals must be on the prescribed forms. Late filings cannot be accepted.
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Reasons for an Appeal |
You have a reasonable appeal if you can support any of the following claims:
- The assessment is based on a factual error (e.g. incorrect square footage).*
- The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's recent sale price.
- The assessment is greater than 1/3 of the property's market value
as of January 1, 2010
- The assessment is higher than the assessment of comparable properties.
- Matters of law (e.g. carrying forward prior year residential appeal results, preferential assessment and farmland valuation).
*In this event, a Certificate of Error may be issued by the township assessor's office with the concurrence of the Board of Review, even after the tax bill is received.
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Evidence Needed | To support your claim of an unfair assessment you will need substantial evidence, some of which may be obtained from your township assessor, the Chief County Assessment Office, from a professional appraiser hired at your own expense or through your own research. Pertinent evidence for non-farm property should include some or all of the following:
1. A copy of the Real Estate Transfer Declaration, a deed or a contract for purchase.
2. An appraisal of your property.
3. A list of recent sales of comparable properties as of January 1, 2010(photographs and property record cards should be presented, as well as some evidence of the sale price).
4. A photograph of elements detracting from the value of your property not shown on the property record card and an estimate, in terms of dollars, of their negative effect on the market value.
5. If your appeal is on uniformity of assessments; information on the comparable properties.
6. A copy of your property record card.
Taxpayers may file an appeal of their assessed valuation with the Lake County Board of Review no later than 30 consecutive days from the actual publication date for your township. All appeals must be on the prescribed forms. Late filings cannot be accepted.
For appeal forms, instructions, and the Rules and Procedures of the Board of Review, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/boardofreview or call (847) 377-2100 for more information.
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Get Help from the Chief County Assessment Office | Still confused? Visit a Help Center - Get one-on-one assistance in evaluating your property assessment valuations. Several Help Centers are taking place across the county in October. See schedule.
Attend a Public Information Meeting - Learn about the property tax process, assessment procedures, steps to review an assessment valuation, the assessment appeal process and more. The meetings will take place at the College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus, Building C - Auditorium on:
Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. and
Saturday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m.
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Lake County News Archive
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