Blog

Dec. 30, 2025

Some time in early March 2026, the updated property exemption forms should be available on the Cook County Assessor’s website for all homeowners looking to renew the exemptions that they continue to qualify for.

Dec. 30, 2025

Due to previous administrative delays with the 2025 tax cycle, the standard March 1 due date for the first installment of property taxes (which covers the 2025 tax year, payable in 2026) has been officially extended. Property tax bills are now expected to be mailed in March 2026, and payment will be due by April 1, 2026.

Dec. 30, 2025

Is your Cook County property sitting vacant due to a fire, flood, or another natural disaster event? You may be entitled to property tax relief. Vacancy refers to the portion of a property building that is not subject to a lease or from which the owner/landlord is not receiving rental income. Land assessed value isn’t adjusted based on vacancy evidence.

Dec. 30, 2025

The Cook County Assessor will reassess your property for taxing purposes every three years. Chicago is scheduled for its reassessment in 2027.

Dec. 30, 2025

Are you due a refund from the Cook County Treasurer for overpayment on your property tax bill? Cook County Assessor, Maria Pappas, started sending automatic refunds to homeowners back in October 2021 due to some homeowners not receiving exemptions on their property tax bills. Pappas launched this automatic refund program in July 2018.

Dec. 30, 2025

A new online tool created by Maria Pappas will help property owners uncover what portion of the local government debt falls on them. The debt includes estimated payments on education, services and pensions.

Dec. 30, 2025

Second-installment property tax bills are usually due by August 1. However, the first-installment bills have been officially extended and are now due April 1, 2026. Please also note that, due to ongoing administrative delays in recent years, second-installment bills have often been issued later than expected.

July 1, 2025

Are you an investor who rehabs a lot of the properties you acquire? Are you a homeowner who is starting a gut renovation on a home you just purchased? Or, are you a commercial property owner who has had 100% vacancy on your commercial property for the past two years?

Oct. 14, 2021

What is the Disabled Veterans Exemption? The Disabled Veterans Exemption is for veterans with a service-related disability that is certified by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.

June 11, 2021

What is the Long-Time Homeowner Exemption and why am I not receiving it? That is a question lots of Cook County residents are asking. The Long-Time Homeowner Exemption enables property owners to receive an expanded Homeowner Exemption with no maximum exemption amount. The eligibility requirements seem straightforward enough.