It's Time To Appeal Your New Trier Property Taxes

You have until March 31, 2016 to appeal your New Trier property taxes!

Every year the Cook County Assessor's Office reassesses one third of the 1.8 million parcels of property in Cook County. This year, it is reassessing properties in New Trier Township. That means you have the opportunity to reduce your taxes for the next three years by filing an appeal, if you think your property has been improperly assessed (and who doesn't?).

You will be mailed a notice of the proposed assessed valuation in the next few days and you will only have until March 31st to file an appeal of your assessment.    The deadline for submitting data in support of your appeal is April 11, 2016.

Here's what you need to know:

The reassessment notices will contain the proposed value of your property that will be reflected on the second installment tax bill due in the fall of 2017. This is the opportunity to reduce your taxes for the next three years, but you need to follow the rules and file within the deadline.

The grounds for an appeal and supporting data needed are:

• Lack of uniformity with similar properties
  The comparables you use should be in your neighborhood and be of similar size, construction and age to your home.
  
  
• Error in square footage of the home or lot
  A survey is required as proof, based on measurements of the exterior of the house, excluding basements, garages and unfinished attics or porches.
  
  
• Overvaluation
  An assessment that is more than 10% of the current market value proven by a recent appraisal or open market purchase (i.e., not a short sale or foreclosure).

There are three ways you can file an appeal:

1. Go to the Cook County Assessor's website (www.cookcountyassessor.com) and file your appeal online.
2. Go to the New Trier Township Office at 739 Elm St. in Winnetka and ask for assistance - they are super helpful.
3. Hire an attorney who specializes in property tax appeals. Contact us for names of recommended attorneys.

And while we're on the subject of property taxes, you can still affect your 2015 tax obligation by making sure you have files for all the exemptions to which you are entitled:

- Homeowner

- Senior Citizen

- Senior Freeze

- Disabled Persons

- Disabled Veterans

- Returning Veterans

Go to www.cookcountyassessor.com to file for these exemptions. All exemptions will appear as deductions on the second installment tax bills in 2016. You can visit the Township website for more information on these exemptions and how to qualify.

(Originally posted on NorthShoreViews.com)