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Why are my taxes so high? Why are my taxes so high?Your taxes may be high (or higher than they were last year) for any or all of three general reasons.
What can I do to minimize my property tax burden?Call the Office of the Supervisor of Assessments to verify that you are receiving the exemptions for which you qualify. If you have questions about the rate charged by a specific taxing body, we suggest that you contact that taxing body. If you have specific questions about your assessed valuation, please contact your township assessor. How is my property’s assessment determined?For most non-farm property, the Township Assessor estimates the market value of the property, and then develops an assessed value based on 33.33% of that market value. The Supervisor of Assessments then equalizes all assessments to provide for uniform valuations in the County. Information about farm assessments can be obtained from the Office of the Supervisor of Assessments. Can my assessment be appealed?Yes. We recommend first discussing your assessment with the township assessor. If you wish to formally appeal your assessment, you can file a complaint with the Kane County Board of Review. There are generally three bases for appealing an assessment:
How can I compare the assessed value of my property to the assessed values of similar homes in my area?You have the right to inspect the township assessor’s records, which contain assessed values as well as other information. You may inspect the records for any parcel of property, as well as the records for your own property, subject to reasonable regulations set down by local officials. Will I be notified if my assessment is going to be increased?If the Township Assessor changes your assessment, you will be notified by U.S. Mail sent to the same address where your tax bill is sent; the change will also be published in a local newspaper. If your assessment is changed by the application of a multiplier, the multiplier will be published in a local newspaper. When I get my tax bill, is it too late to complain?Yes, it is too late unless you have already taken your complaint to the Board of Review. What will happen if I don’t pay my property taxes?Your taxes may be sold at the annual tax sale. If your taxes are sold, you will retain the right to redeem your property for two and one-half years if it is your principal dwelling. Other property must be redeemed within two years. To redeem it, you will have to pay costs and interest in addition to any tax due. Contact the Tax Redemption Department. My mortgage company pays my taxes. Why did I get a bill?Many mortgage companies pay electronically, and do not require a bill. We suggest that you contact your mortgage company to confirm. A bill is mailed to you for your records. Many park districts and libraries require you to show your tax bill for proof of residency. I did not live here last year. Why did I receive this year's tax bill?The tax remains with the property regardless of ownership. To determine your liability for paying the tax, check your closing statement to see if the seller gave you credit, or contact your attorney. I did not pay my taxes last year. Where can I find out how much I owe?Call the Kane County Clerk at (630) 232-5964 and ask for an estimate of redemption. Give them your parcel number. I don’t know my parcel number, how can I get it?Contact the Supervisor of Assessments. I own multiple parcels in the County. Can I pay with one check?Yes, please make sure that your addition is correct and list the parcel numbers of the properties you are paying on your check. Include the correct stub(s) for each installment payment. If I pay by mail how can I get a receipt?Your cancelled check is your receipt. If you should need a paid receipt, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. Is there a charge for a copy of my bill?Yes, the charge for a duplicate copy of a tax bill is $2.00. What if I have other questions?
What is the square footage of my house? When was it built?Contact your local Township Assessor. My assessment is too high, what can I do?Contact your local Township Assessor first, then you may file a real estate complaint with the office of the Supervisor of Assessments and a hearing will be scheduled with the Board of Review. You have until September 10th or 30 days from the date of publication in order to file a complaint with the Supervisor of Assessments. How long will it take for a certificate of error to be processed?Six to eight weeks from the mailing of the tax bills. How long will it take for my refund check?Contact the Treasurer's Office How can I get a duplicate tax bill?Contact the Treasurer's Office How do I change the mailing address on my tax bill?Send a letter stating the parcel number and new address to:
County Assessment Office or Fax to (630) 208-3824 Request must be signed and dated by the owner. If the parcel is in a trust, the request must be signed by the bank trust officer. I am buying my house on contract. Why didn't I receive a tax bill?The party from whom you purchased the house is responsible for the tax bill until the contract is fulfilled and a deed is recorded placing you in title. How to figure assessed value from market value?Take sale price and multiply by .3333 equals estimated assessed value. For more information contact the Supervisor of Assessments. Where can I get information on tax sales?Contact the Treasurer's Office. When are taxes due?Property taxes are due in two installments every year - usually June 1st and Sept. 1st. Current taxes are paid to the Treasurer's Office, which mails the tax bills to the last "Taxpayer of Record" on file with the Treasurer's Office. To make sure you or your representative is listed as the current Taxpayer of Record, visit the Treasurer's Office website. Under Illinois law, your taxes are due and must be paid on time, whether or not you receive a tax bill. How do I know if my taxes have been sold?Taxpayers receive a notice before the annual tax sale begins. The letter is sent by the Kane County Treasurer's Office to inform taxpayers that balances still due will be offered for sale. Once taxes are sold, a notice prepared by the tax buyer, called a "Take Notice," is mailed by the Clerk's office. This notice is prepared and mailed within the first five months after the date of sale. The notice before the sale and the Take Notice are sent by certified mail to the last Taxpayer of Record on file with the Treasurer's Office. It is very important that the Treasurer's Office have the correct information for your PIN, even if your mortgage company is responsible for paying your taxes. You can check the mailing address for the current year by logging on to the Treasurer's Office website. Also, a notice on your current tax bill may provide an indication that your taxes have been sold, or that you have other taxes that are due and that may have been sold or may be available for sale at any time. Your tax bill will show annual sales only for two years after the sale. If you know or suspect that you have delinquent taxes or that your taxes have been sold, please call the County Clerk's office at (630) 232-5964 to verify the status. What should I do if my taxes have been sold?If your taxes have been sold, you should immediately obtain an Estimate of Redemption. This is a calculation of the amount you need to pay to redeem the sale and remove the threat of loss of the property. Once you obtain the estimate, verify that it is for the correct PIN. You are advised to redeem the taxes immediately, as penalties and fees can increase and can multiply over time. These taxes and any fees and penalties must be paid in full; there are no payment plans applicable to redemption payments. What should I do if I believe my taxes have been sold in error, or if I have paid my taxes and they have not been credited to my property?You should immediately contact the Treasurer's Office with any documentation you have to support your claim. You should always keep a copy of the check or money order you used to pay your taxes, as well as any receipts received that will allow you to prove that you paid the full amount on time. This will help with any dispute you have over your property tax payments. Contact (630) 232-3565. What is a PIN?A PIN, or property index number (also called a permanent real estate index number), is a unique 10-digit number that represents a parcel of land for taxation purposes. The PIN is actually a numerical code for the legal description of the parcel, as that parcel has been defined for the purposes of real estate taxes. The formatted code points to the parcel's location on the county tax maps. Many deeds reflect the PIN or PINs covered in the transfer of the property. Your tax bill will also show the PIN. If you need to locate a PIN, contact the Supervisor of Assessments. What is a legal description?A legal description uniquely describes a parcel of land without ambiguity. The most common legal description references lots and/or blocks within an existing subdivision number. There are also descriptions by metes and bounds, which describe in prose the geometry of a parcel's perimeter. When a parcel lies within a platted subdivision, the legal description is usually short, because the lots described are represented by specific dimensions and boundaries on the subdivision plat. A metes and bounds description can be very lengthy and may contain bearings and distances for each line, with descriptive geometry for each curve and references to adjacent land. What do I do if I didn't receive my exemptions as a homeowner?If you have questions regarding any exemptions, contact the Supervisor of Assessments at (630) 208-3818. What do I do if I want to dispute an assessment on my property?If you want to dispute the valuation of your property for taxation purposes, you may do so through the Supervisor of Assessments or through the Kane County Board of Review. Both have specific timetables each year for reviewing assessments in different sections of the county. You must contact each office to ensure you meet the filing deadlines. Contact the Supervisor of Assessments at (630) 208-3818. I live in a condominium - Why does my PIN keep changing?The initial PIN assigned to a condominium unit comes from an instrument known as the "Condominium Declaration" filed by the condominium developer. The condominium declaration automatically divides the land on which the condo is built, establishing a PIN for each unit listed in the percentage of ownership section of the declaration. In many cases, the original Condominium Declaration is merely the first phase in the developer's overall plan. Subsequent amendments to the declaration may add more units or land to the development. Additional property divisions are required as the percentages of ownership and/or the underlying description of the property change, requiring consequent changes in the PINs assigned to the units. |