Appeal Information

If You Believe YourAssessment Is Incorrect-

Please Follow TheseAppeal Steps Below:

STEP 1- CAREFULLY REVIEW YOUR ASSESSMENT NOTICE FOR ACCURACY.

STEP 2- TALK WITH YOUR LOCAL TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR.

STEP 3- CHECK THAT THE PROPERTY CHARACTERISTICS ARE CORRECT ON YOUR PROPERTY RECORD CARD.

STEP 4- DETERMINE THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF YOUR HOME, AND CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR ASSESSMENT IS COMPARABLE TO ASSESSMENTS AND SALES OF LIKE HOMES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

STEP 5-DETERMINE THE BASIS FOR YOUR APPEAL:

*You can file an appealfor one or more of the following reasons:

1)Recent Sale: The assessor has placed a market value estimate on your parcel that is higher than the actual market value.

2)Comparable Sales: The assessment is higher than those of similar properties in your area.

3)Assessment Equity: The assessment is based on inaccurate parcel characteristics.

4)Recent Construction: The subject property was recently purchased, and the assessment is higher than 33.33% of the purchase price.

STEP 6- COMPILE EVIDENCEAND FILE A FORMAL WRITTEN COMPLAINT.

Once you’ve determined your basis for appeal, you can formally file a written complaint with the Will County Board of Review.  You must follow the Board of Review’s rules on filing an appeal.  Failure to comply fully with all the rules may result in the dismissal of your appeal.  The Board will only accept official appeal forms.  Letters stating your objection to your assessment do not constitute a formal appeal.  All appeal forms & evidence must be delivered or postmarked by the deadline. The appeal deadline for 2015 is September 4, 2015.

STEP 7- PRESENT YOUREVIDENCE AT A BOARD OF REVIEW HEARING:

You have the right to present your claim and evidence at a Board of Review hearing. You will be notified about the date & time of your hearing no later than 5 calendar days before the hearing. If you do not wish to present your evidence before the Board, you may also waive your right to a hearing.

*After your hearing the Board of Review will send you a written notice of its decision. If you are not satisfied with the Board’s decision, you have 30 days to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.  For more information, please visit www.state.il.us/agency/ptab.com or you can download the forms at www.willcountysoa.com.

So, in review:

1. Start withthe local township Assessor first, this who placed the assessment on your property. You may call or visit the office and review your property record card and check for errors in the physical characteristics of the property. You may also review other assessments & property record cards in your neighborhood to check for equity. Finally, you will be able to review sales of properties in your neighborhood. If after reviewing the physical data,the assessment data, and the sales data, you still believe you’re over assessed, you may discuss the assessment with a trained deputy assessor who will either revise the assessment or explain to you why the assessment is correct. 

2. File anassessment appeal form with the county Board of Review if you disagree with the assessor’s valuation. You must be prepared to prove the market value of your property or demonstrate how your valuation is higher than similar properties in your area. A hearing date will be scheduled and evidence will be presented by both you and the assessor’s office to the Board of Review hearing officer. The hearing officer will make a ruling based on the evidence presented at the hearing. You will be notified in writing of the decision. You may have an attorney represent you, however it is not required. 

3. File anappeal with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board if you disagree with the decision made by the county Board of Review. Again, you must submit evidence, including photos of the property.  Also, any sales contracts, appraisals, or any other pertinent data that will support your opinion of value. The Assessor and Board of Review will also be required to provide evidence supporting their opinion of value. You may have an attorney represent you, however it is not required. A hearing will be held and a decision will be made based on the weight of the evidence presented, and you will be notified in writing of their final decision.


TIPS ON FILING GOOD APPEALS:


• The best evidence to value is a recent appraisal, a recent sale of the property, or recent sales of similar properties. 

• Be sure to review your property characteristics at the assessor’s office before filing an appeal. 

• Understand that Fair Market Value is not the highest or lowest selling price of a property but the most probable selling price. 

• When comparing properties in your area, use only similar properties (i.e. same design, same size, etc.). 

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