Taxpayers
What is tax extension?
Tax Extension is the process of calculating tax rates for the various taxing districts i.e. schools, fire, library, city, etc. It is not an extension on your due date for property taxes.
How are my property taxes calculated?
Property taxes are calculated based on the individual tax levies that the different taxing districts turn in. The total levy for a taxing district is then divided among the assessed value of all the property located within the district to create the districts rate. The rate is then reduced by state statutory limits and then applied to a homeowners taxable assessed value to create the final tax bill.
As the County Clerk's Office we are in charge of calculating the various tax rates for the County. However, we are simply a ministerial position and have no power over the rates. Rates are based on the levies submitted by the taxing districts, property values minus exemptions certified by the County Assessment's Office, and the statutory limits as established by state legislature and the governor.
Is there a cap on how much my bill can increase?
Short answer....no.
There is no set limit for how much a tax bill can increase from the prior year. There are limits set by State Statute that taxing districts need to follow. The main limits are listed below:
Fund Limits: Some funds for the districts have a maximum rate that cannot be exceeded. If a district goes over the allowed max rate the County Clerk's Office is required to reduce their levy to only allow the maximum rate determined by the State to be extended.
PTELL Limit: Property Tax Extension Limitation Law. Commonly known as "tax cap," sets limits to the increase and extension of a taxing districts levy. Each taxing district a taxpayer pays into is held to this rule, except for districts that are Non-PTELL. Therefore, if each taxing district takes an increase from the year before that total increase will be divided among all of the taxpayers within the various taxing district. The portion that the taxpayer is responsible for is determined on the assessed value of the property.
How can I reduce my tax bill?
There are different ways one can reduce their tax bill.
The biggest way to get involved with how much you are charged is to attend the public meetings of the various taxing districts serving you. Each budget and tax levy meeting must be made public. You can find the meeting dates in your local newspaper or on the local districts website.
Next is Illinois State Law, which limits the amount of money that you are charged as a taxpayer. You can contact your State Representatives, Senators or the Governor's Office to discuss changes to these laws.
Last is understanding your home's assessment. How does it compare to your neighbors? Are you being assessed too high? These questions can be answered by your local assessor. To see who your township assessor is click here.
Taxing Districts
What does my district need to file, and when?
Your district needs to file the following:
- Budget and Appropriation Ordinance with Certification of Budget and Certification of Estimated Source of Anticipated Revenues certified by the Chief Fiscal Officer, within 30 days of passage.
- Levy Ordinance with Certification of Levy and Truth in Taxation Compliance form signed by the presiding officer, by the last Tuesday in December of the levy year.
- Certified copy of New Bond Ordinances, by March 1st of the year following the levy year.
- Certified copy of any abatement ordinances, i.e. bond, levy, individual parcels, by March 15th of the year following the levy year.
What is the timeline for the tax cycle?
- Last Tuesday in December: deadline for filing levies
- March 1: deadline for filing new bond ordinances
- Early March: Chief County Assessment Office certifies property values to the County Clerk’s Office
- March 15: deadline for filing abatement ordinances
- Late March/Early April: Illinois Department of Revenue certifies the county’s state multiplier to the County Clerk’s Office.
- Mid/Late March: taxing districts confirm initial tax extension figures and make PTELL adjustments
- Late March/Early April: taxing districts confirm final tax rates and extensions, which the County Clerk’s Office then certifies to the Treasurer’s Office for billing
- Early/Mid May: tax bills are mailed
- Early June: first installment due
- Early September: second installment due
- Early/Mid November: delinquent taxes sold at tax sale
What is my districts EAV and New Construction values for the coming year?
Estimated EAV reports will be posted in the Quick Access section above. The Estimated EAV Report will be run periodically. The month and day the report was run will be listed in the file name. Please note that the report provided is only an ESTIMATE. Values can change at any time due to finalization of Assessment Rolls from the township assessors and Board of Review. To see if your township has finalized their Assessment Roll Click Here.
NEWSLETTER 6-12-2023
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