Morganwell
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Filing guide

How to file your property tax appeal, step by step

Free. About 15 minutes. No lawyer. A picture for every step.

7 steps15 minutes$0 to file

Have these ready

File in 7 steps

Illustrations, not screenshots. The county’s site may look a little different.

  1. 1

    Open the Assessor's appeal site

    Go to cookcountyassessoril.gov/online-appeals and sign in, or create a free account.

    cookcountyassessoril.gov/online-appeals

    Online appeals

    Sign inCreate account
  2. 2

    Start a residential appeal for your PIN

    Type the 14-digit PIN from the top of your packet. It is also on your assessment notice and tax bill.

    Residential appeal
    Find my property
  3. 3

    Choose the reason for your appeal

    Pick the reason your packet names. Most packets are lack of uniformity (similar homes are assessed lower), market value (similar homes sold for less), or both.

    Reason for appeal
    Lack of uniformity
    Overvaluation (market value)
    Recent purchase
  4. 4

    Paste what to write

    Your packet has a short statement under "What to write". Copy it into the description box, or say it in your own words.

    Describe your appeal
    This home’s building assessment is $21.11 per square foot, higher than 89% of the 562 comparable homes in the same neighborhood…
  5. 5

    Enter the value to ask for

    Type the figure from "Value to ask for" in the Start here box at the top of your packet.

    Your opinion of value
  6. 6

    Upload your packet

    Save your packet as a PDF (Print, then Save as PDF) and upload it as your evidence. At the Assessor, evidence goes in with the filing.

    Evidence
    PDF

    morganwell-packet.pdf

    Uploaded

  7. 7

    Submit and save the confirmation

    Submit, then save or screenshot the confirmation page. You get your docket number by email; the decision comes by mail.

    Confirmation

    Appeal submitted

    Confirmation number 0000000

After you file

  1. Step 1

    Assessor decides

    Usually several weeks after your area's window closes. The result comes by mail.

  2. Step 2

    Board of Review

    Not lowered enough? Appeal again when your area opens there. File even if you skipped the Assessor.

  3. Step 3

    State appeal board

    Still disagree? You can go to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of the Board's decision.

Questions

How long does it take to file a property tax appeal online?
About 15 minutes once you have your PIN, your evidence as a PDF and the value you are asking for.
Does it cost anything to file?
No. Filing with the Cook County Assessor and the Board of Review is free, and you do not need a lawyer.
Can I add evidence after I file with the Assessor?
Yes, while your township is still open: the Assessor lets you attach more documents to a submitted appeal. It is simplest to upload your packet when you file.
What if the Assessor does not lower my value?
You can appeal again at the Cook County Board of Review when your area opens there, and after that to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.

Don’t have your packet yet?

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Morganwell is not a law firm. You file your own appeal. No outcome is guaranteed.