Q1. How will lowering my assessed value lower my property taxes?
Answer:
The assessed value of your home is a key factor in determining how much you pay in property taxes — the higher the assessed value, the higher your tax bill.
By successfully reducing your assessment, you can lower your property taxes compared to what you would owe without an appeal. While other factors like the tax rate — which is set annually by local taxing bodies — also affect your bill, Tax Appeals Lake County focuses on helping you appeal your assessed value, not the tax rate itself.
A successful appeal doesn’t change the tax rate, but it does mean you’ll pay less than you would have with a higher assessment.
Q2. How often can I appeal?
Answer:
You can appeal your property assessment every year. Tax Appeals Lake County will review your assessment to determine if an appeal is warranted. If you missed the deadline this year, you can sign up now for next year so you don’t miss another opportunity.
Once you’re signed up, we take care of all the deadlines — no need to worry.
Q3. How much does Tax Appeals Lake County charge?
Answer:
To review your property assessment, Tax Appeals Lake County charges a fee of only $35. The fee for a successful tax appeal is 35% of your first year’s savings, calculated as the difference between your 2026 pre-appeal assessed value and your new 2026 assessed value, multiplied by the 2025 tax rate.
If we’re not successful in lowering your assessed value, you won’t pay anything further. There are no additional upfront fees — no filing fees, no appraisal fees, no retainer, and no attorney fees.
Q4. Is my property currently over-assessed? Should I have my assessment reviewed?
Answer:
Tax Appeals Lake County recommends that a property assessment review be conducted every tax year in Lake, McHenry, and DuPage counties, where your property may be reassessed annually by the assessor. This review ensures that you are not being unfairly assessed and are not paying more than necessary in property taxes. Other reasons to have your property assessment reviewed include:
- The assessment of the subject property is higher than that of comparable properties.
- Recent purchase of your property.
- Recent home improvement project.
- Sales of similar homes in your area selling for less than you are assessed.
Q5. Can my property be over-assessed even if recent property sales in my area continue to rise?
Answer:
Although property values may be increasing in your area, your property may still be over-assessed. Appealing an over-assessed property requires a strategic approach, and selecting the right method and providing the most relevant and compelling evidence are essential to achieving the greatest reduction. Our appeals team sets itself apart by building strong tax appeal cases.
Q6. What is a General Assessment year and how does it affect my property assessment?
Answer:
In In a General Assessment year, by law, every property in Lake, McHenry, and DuPage Counties—except for farmland—must be viewed, inspected, and revalued once every four years. This is known as a General Assessment Year. During this time, the local assessor resets the slate and assigns a new assessment value to your property. All decisions made by the Board of Review and the Property Tax Appeal Board are also reset at this time. Between General Assessments, assessors may revalue properties if their current value is found to be incorrect.
Q7. Why should I use Tax Appeals Lake County? Can I appeal on my own?
Answer:
Yes, you can appeal your own tax assessment, but winning a tax appeal requires the right research, evidence, and expertise. With years of experience, our professional tax appeal team excels in building and winning cases. We manage every step of the process—from gathering evidence and constructing your case to representing you throughout the entire appeal. Once you sign up, we handle everything—no deadlines to worry about and no hearings for you to attend. We remove the stress from the process, ensuring your case is in expert hands. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, our proven track record and commitment to client satisfaction speak for themselves.
**If an attorney is needed, we’ll refer you to a licensed Illinois attorney who will handle any legal aspects of your appeal at no additional cost.
Let us handle your tax appeal so you can focus on what matters most to you.
Q8. What is the best way to contact Tax Appeals Lake County?
Answer:
The best way to reach us is via email at info@taxappealslakecounty.com, or you can call us at 847-438-7200 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.