Every year, my office hears from thousands of homeowners who run into problems with their property taxes due to common errors. Here are the five most common mistakes homeowners make and what you can do to avoid them. Paying the Same Bill Twice This happens more often than you might[Read More…]
Author: Maria Pappas
Column: Amid tax bill shock, homeowners can read bills to find out where their money goes
Record-high increases in property tax bills have angered many Cook County property owners. My office has released an analysis of the nearly 1.8 million tax bills. It showed that in Chicago the median tax bill jumped 16.7%, the largest percentage increase in at least 30 years. And it wasn’t just[Read More…]
Column: Third-party notices tell you if a relative or anyone you know misses a tax payment
Each year thousands of property owners in Cook County are late paying their taxes, putting their homes in danger of being included in the annual state-mandated tax sale. That’s a problem we want to help you avoid. Since 2005 my office has allowed you to sign up a relative[Read More…]
Column: Illinois expands property tax breaks for veterans to include World War II vets
Illinois lawmakers in recent years have enacted significant changes to property tax exemptions benefiting veterans, including a landmark provision for those who served during World War II. These changes underscore our commitment to support veterans in Cook County and beyond. The Illinois Property Tax Code makes veterans who served during[Read More…]
Column: Mortgage companies might pay your taxes — but you still need to watch
By Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer Every year, my office mails more than 1.8 million tax bills to property owners across Cook County. If you have a mortgage, your lender may collect money from you each month and put it in an escrow account to pay your bill. But don’t[Read More…]
Column: Don’t pay for what you can get for free: How to claim your property tax refunds
Every year, many Cook County homeowners are bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from vendors offering to help secure property tax refunds — for a fee. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to pay anyone to get money that’s already yours. My office has $122 million in potential[Read More…]
Column: Treasurer’s office protects billions for taxpayers
Two times a year, my office mails nearly 1.8 million property tax bills and collects over $18 billion. That’s not a typo — $18 billion. As Cook County Treasurer, I oversee the second-largest property tax collection and distribution system in the United States. Only Los Angeles County is bigger. But[Read More…]
Column: How property tax levies work
The levy: It’s not a dam, but it is a word you should know! Since I first stepped into my office 27 years ago, one question has repeatedly come up: “Why do my property taxes always go up?” It’s a valid concern. At the heart of the answer is something[Read More…]
Column: When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many
If you’ve ever voted, you’ve probably seen one. It’s a referendum, a ballot measure that can affect your property taxes. Simply put, referendums are direct votes where the electorate has the chance to weigh in on a particular issue such as a proposed law, a tax increase, a bond issuance[Read More…]
Some taxpayers could be owed money for overpaying up to 20 years ago
My office is managing about $122 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments occurred because more than one person paid the same tax bill. Reasons[Read More…]
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