I just received a Notice of General Reassessment, what does that mean?
Once every four years, by law, the Assessor must review and reassess all property in the jurisdiction. In the middle three years, normally a multiplier is applied to all parcels within a Township. It’s in the fourth year, the General Reassessment year, that adjustments are made to reflect the market activity in smaller specific areas and neighborhoods within a Township.

Also, in a General Reassessment year notices are mail to each property owner and all assessments are published in local newspapers. The newspaper your parcel is listed in is printed on your assessment notice.

Portions of the entire publication are printed in The Doings, Clarendon Hills Doings & Weekly Doings, the Downers Grove Reporter and the Suburban Life Newspapers. All of these procedures are in accordance with Illinois State Statute.

The assessed value on the Notice of General Reassessment increased 20%. Will my tax bill increase 20%?
This does NOT mean your taxes will increase by the same percentage. The amount of the overall tax collection is determined by the taxing bodies…schools, government, parks, fire districts, etc. Your portion of that tax collection is dictated by the assessed value of your property.

Due to the Tax Cap, property owners rarely experience double digit TAX increases in a reassessment year. Since 1991, when this law was passed, taxing bodies have been prevented from increasing their tax collections (levies) by more than 5% (or the Consumer Price Index rate if it is less than 5%). However, if the voters passed a tax referendum, say for a new school or public building or program then your tax increase may be more.

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what your tax bill amount will be at this time because the taxing body’s request for money must be sent to the County Clerk and the processing of that information does not take place until next spring.

How does the Assessor know when an improvement is made?
The Assessor’s Office is sent copies of building permits from DuPage County and the villages within the Township boundaries. Once the permit is received a Deputy Assessor Fieldman inspects each site, measures the structure, and lists it’s amenities for assessment purposes.

What type of home improvement will change my assessment?
The Home Improvement Exemption is an exemption which is automatically granted when you have made an improvement to your property, such as, a room addition, new garage or fireplace, finishing a basement, adding central air or have built a new deck or porch. The assessment increase attributable only to the new improvement is exempt for four years, with a maximum of 25,000 in assessed value. If the assessment increase exceeds 25,000 the balance of the assessment is subject to taxation.

For example, if you have built a deck and it is assessed for 4,500, for the next four years the property assessed value will be reduced by 4,500. However, if you have built a room addition and it’s assessment is 37,000, for the next four years the property assessment will be reduced by only 25,000, the maximum exemption.

Once the new construction is complete a notice of assessment change will be sent. It will reflect the total assessment, including the full assessed value of the new improvement. Prior to calculating the tax bill, however, the exemption amount is removed, along with any other exemptions that apply.

What type of home improvement will not change my assessment?
New siding, roofing, replacement of a furnace or plumbing fixtures, and landscaping, for example, are considered normal maintenance and do not change the overall assessment. These types of repairs or replacements are not eligible for the Home Improvement Exemption.

I live in Downers Grove, why do I have to contact Lisle or York Township for assessment information?
Please check the Township boundaries on the map. Properties west of Woodward Avenue are assessed by Lisle Township, (630) 968-1183. Properties north of 39th Street are assessed by York Township, (630) 627-3354.

I have questions about my tax bill payment or late charges, who should I call?
Tax bill payment questions should be directed to the DuPage County Treasurer’s office at (630) 407-5900. The Assessors Office cannot accept tax bill payment. They can be paid at the DuPage County Treasurers office at 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187. Also, there are several local banks that accept payment. Call the County Treasurer for more information.

I have questions about the taxing bodies listed on my tax bill, who should I call?
You may call the DuPage County Clerk’s office at (630) 407-5500. Depending on your questions they may suggest you contact the taxing body directly.

I would like my tax bill sent to another address, who do I contact?
The DuPage County Clerk’s office makes all tax bill mailing name and address changes. They can be reached at (630) 407-5500.

I pay taxes for “special service area” , where do I get information on this?
Special service areas, to pay for sewers, water, etc. in a specific area, are handled by the DuPage County Clerk at (630) 407-5500.

I recently received an assessment notice. How can I tell what my market value is?
Divide the assessed value by .33333 to arrive at the market value. A short cut is to simply multiply the assessment by three. For example, if your assessed value is 65,000 / .33333 = $195,020 market value OR 65,000 x 3 = $195,000.

I think my assessment is too high and my taxes are too high, what can I do?
Since your assessment is based on market value you must have an opinion of your property’s value. If not, watch for sales of similar properties in the area and compare them to your property. This will help you determine it’s value. You may also have an independent appraiser value your property.

If you do not agree with the Assessor’s estimate of your market value and corresponding assessment discuss it with the Assessor. You may also file a complaint with the Board of Review. A hearing will be scheduled to hear your complaint and review evidence submitted by you and the Assessor. The Board of Review may increase, decrease or make no change to your assessment. The Board of Review will send you their decision by mail after all hearings in DuPage County are complete, normally February or March. The Board of Review hearings take place at the DuPage County Complex, 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL.

If you are not in agreement with the Board of Review decision you have the opportunity for an assessment review by the State Property Tax Appeal Board. These hearings also take place at the DuPage County Complex.

Once your property is fairly assessed the next step is to monitor the taxing bodies listed on your tax bill. The taxing bodies determine the AMOUNT of money needed for services provided, the assessment determines the PORTION of that amount you are to pay. Also, be sure to vote on issues that could impact your property taxes.

What is a Sales Ratio Study and how does it affect my assessment?
Learn more about Sales Ratio Studies.

How can homes assessed the same have different tax bills and how is a tax bill calculated?
Even though properties may be assessed the same, exemptions and the tax rate specific to that property can cause a difference in the tax bill amount. Prior to the tax bill calculation the assessment is reduced by the amount of exemptions the person and/or property qualifies for that year. The exemptions are as follows:

The residential homestead exemption of up to 5,000, the senior exemption of 3,500; the home improvement exemption which reduces the assessed value up to 25,000, based on assessment attributable to the new improvement; and now, the senior freeze which freezes the assessment at the prior year’s value.

Tax bills also vary due to differing tax rates. There are over 200 different tax rates in Downers Grove Township alone, due to the number of taxing districts serving the citizens in a given area.

Tax bill calculation: Equalized Assessed Value – Exemptions x Tax Rate = Tax Bill

All of the following have the same assessment, however, not all tax bill amounts are the same, as you can see below: