McHenry County, IL
Home MenuWelcome New Home Buyer
Important Property Tax Information for New Homeowners
Purchasing a house or any other property is an exciting event. However, it can also be overwhelming if you are not familiar with the property tax system and your responsibilities.
Property taxes in McHenry County are billed in arrears, meaning you pay one year after the property is assessed. Property taxes are billed with two installments, which are due June and September but, keep in mind that the property tax bill is mailed only once a year in May. The McHenry County Treasurer’s office mails the property tax bill to the owner of record at the time the bills are printed.
Under Illinois Law, failure to receive a tax bill, or receiving your tax bill late, for any reason, will not relieve the taxpayer from paying taxes and late penalties, that may occur.
How you can avoid penalties and additional fees:
- Check your closing documents to see if you were issued a credit for taxes at the closing. Any further questions should be directed to your attorney or closing agent.
- It is possible that the property tax bill was forwarded to the previous owner, and you did not receive your property tax bill. However, you can obtain a duplicate copy of the tax bill at treasurer.mchenrycountyil.gov or by calling our Treasurer office at 815-334-4260.
- Some property owners set up an escrow account with banks or mortgage companies to pay their property taxes. When such an agreement is made, the taxpayer is still responsible for ensuring that the property taxes are paid. So check with your bank or mortgage company to confirm whether they will be making a payment.
- For help with any issues or questions regarding property taxes please review this reference guide.
As a homeowner, you can reduce taxes by taking advantage of the homestead exemption. This exemption can reduce the taxable value of your primary residence by $8,000. This is available for properties that are occupied by their owners or persons with legal or equitable interest as of January 1 of the taxable year. For more information and to find out if you qualify for the homestead exemption, contact the Office of Assessments at 815-334-4290.