By Maria Pappas

As Cook County Treasurer, I’ve learned the property tax system can be confusing and intimidating. Whether you’re a new or longtime homeowner, or a senior citizen, I understand your frustrations. To help, I’ve created 10 tips to better understand your property taxes.

1. Familiarize yourself with the Cook County Treasurer’s Office Website
Visit cookcountytreasurer.com, your one-stop shop for all things related to property taxes. That’s where you can pay online for free, change your name and address and find out if any money is owed to you. It’s also where you can access and download your bills and review the tax history of your property going back 20 years.

2. Know Your PIN
Your 14-digit Property Identification Number or PIN is on your tax bill and property deed. It is unique to each of the 1.8 million properties in Cook County. You will need your PIN to pay your bill, so keep it handy!

3. Understand the Billing Cycle
Cook County property taxes are divided into two installments a year. The first installment covers 55 percent of the previous year’s tax bill and is typically due in early March.  The second installment covers the balance of your bill and includes your exemptions. It’s usually due around August 1.

4. Check for Refunds and Exemptions
My office has over $150 million in unclaimed property tax refunds. Check cookcountytreasurer.com to see if you’ve overpaid in the past 20 years. You also want to make sure you apply for all your qualified exemptions. Homeowners, senior citizens and disabled persons and veterans may be eligible for missing exemptions going back five years. No third-party assistance is needed to apply for refunds or missing exemptions.

5. Keep Your Information Current
It’s important to keep your information up to date to ensure that you receive your bill on time. If you moved or changed your name, please update your contact information at cookcountytreasurer.com.

6. Find 24/7 Support In Your Language
It’s a priority for my office to reach people in their own language. That’s why our phone system operates 24/7 in English, Spanish and Polish at (312)443-5100.
Our cookcountytreasurer.com website support pages can be translated into 248 languages. We also offer informational brochures that can be downloaded in English and 27 other languages.

7. Decide How You Want To Pay
You can pay online through your bank account for free.  If you pay with a credit card, there’s a 2.1 percent convenience fee.  Payments are also accepted at nearly 400 Chase Bank branches in Illinois or 160 community banks across the region. You can pay by dropping your bill into the mail for the cost of a stamp. If you want a face-to-face encounter while paying, stop by our offices located on the first floor of the County building at 118 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

 8. Determine If You Need A Payment Plan
If you get behind on your taxes, you can set up a payment plan.  Do so by using our free Payment Plan Calculator at cookcountytreasurer.com. This online tool helps you set up biweekly or monthly payments. If you set up a payment plan and opt in, we’ll send you reminders via email or text.

9. Monitor Your Mortgage Escrow Account
If your property taxes are paid through an escrow account, ensure timely and accurate payments are being made by regularly checking on the account. Don’t be afraid to contact your bank or mortgage company if payments are not being made.

10. See Where Your Money Goes
The first installment contains your taxing district debt and shows whether obligations to the school district, town, village or other taxing district are unfunded. The second installment has a taxing district breakdown that shows how much each agency is taxing your property and where those tax dollars are spent in your municipality. It also compares those numbers to the previous year.  For a deeper dive, visit cookcountytreasurer.com to access studies on property tax topics like referendums and voter participation. Explore the “Pappas Studies” section and subscribe to the Pappas Portal for valuable updates.

By following these tips, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the Cook County property tax system and hopefully save some money.