If you received your latest property tax assessment you are likely still in shock!

THE PROPERTY TAX EVENT

Meet us to get important information about how to file your appeal:
WHEN? OCTOBER 8 at 6:30PM
WHERE? Marcello’s Restaurant | 645 W North Avenue
Complimentary parking available

2015 is the triennial Chicago property tax reassessment year, which means the assessor’s office is in the process of determining the assessed value of your home; one of 3 key numbers that are used to calculate your property taxes for the next 3 years.

If you live in North Chicago you should have received your property tax assessment shortly after September 14.

The deadline to file your appeal is October 14. | The deadline to file documentation to support your appeal is October 26.

OVERVIEW

The Property Tax Event is a collaboration of three Chicago real estate professionals – Debra Dobbs, Matt Panush and Steven Pallotto. Our shared goal is to educate our clients on the property tax system in Cook County, create awareness of the exemptions to which many property owners are entitled and provide assistance to our clients to make certain they receive the lowest possible tax bill for their property.

The Tax Event will begin with an overview of the property tax system in Cook County, offer an opportunity for Q&A and conclude with a personal consultation with our panel of experts to complete paperwork to begin the process to appeal your property’s assessed value.

Testimonials

“Steve Pallotto worked with me to save over $26,000! By appealing my real estate taxes I saved $17,000 over a 3 year period. Steven also helped get a refund check for $6700 by discovering I had never applied for my homeowner exemption. Steve, you are my hero!” – K. Graham”

Steve Pallotto helped me get my mortgage when I bought my new house. Come to find out Steve is also a Property Tax Consultant. He helped me save $1400 a year on my real estate property taxes. I failed to apply for my homeowner exemption and with Steven’s guidance I received a refund check for $5600 for overpayment of taxes for the previous 3 years. Steve, thanks again for all of your help, you’re the best!.” – P. Naumuovski“

After 4 years of trying to lower my property taxes on my commercial building with zero success, my co-worker, Steve Pallotto, suggested I talk to his friend and colleague, Matt Panush, for help. After talking with Matt and using his expertise, I was able to not only lock in a much lower tax rate for 3 years, which saved me a total of $28,400, I also received a overpayment check of $13,100, for a total savings of over $41,000! I never thought saving that much money was possible but thanks to Matt and Steve it happened.” – C.Utlak

THE EVENT

WHAT TO EXPECT

In brief, you will learn about the property tax system in Cook County and how the computation of property taxes impacts you. In addition, you will learn about the many options to reduce your tax liability; through making certain you are claiming the exemptions to which you are entitled and confirming the assessed value of your property is accurate. If it is determined there are opportunities to claim exemptions or reduce the assessed value of your property, we will work with you to file the necessary paperwork, or provide access to the resources for assistance if you choose not to handle the filings personally.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

How is the value of my property assessed?
Is market value different from assessed value?
How does the county compute property tax bills?
How can I appeal my property taxes?
How do property taxes impact my mortgage payment and qualification ratios?
How do property taxes influence the market value of my home?
What does the term “triennial” mean with regard to my property taxes?
What is the difference between the Cook County Board of Review and the Cook County Assessors Office?
If I own 1 unit in a condo building, can I protest my assessed value on my own, or is it better to file a protest with the whole building?

The answers to these questions and many more will be answered by our property tax expert, Matt Panush.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSULTATION

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the property tax system and how their real estate tax bills are calculated.
Attendees will have the opportunity to have their property tax bill reviewed by our tax professional.
After the program attendees will have an opportunity to speak with our tax professional about their respective property, and to begin the appeal process.

WHO WE ARE

Debra Dobbs has 30 years of experience working with buyers and sellers across a broad spectrum of property types and price points in Chicago’s Near North neighborhoods. Debra is the recipient of such coveted awards as the Platinum Award and the Chicago Association of Realtors’ Outstanding Sales Achievement Award. Dobbs has multiple designations obtained through post-licensing education, including The University of Illinois’ Fundamentals of Urban Real Estate and is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute. Debra is a fierce advocate for her clients and known for her superior negotiating skills. Post closing, Debra continues to work on behalf of her clients, including educating clients on the property tax system and opportunities to secure a reduction in the assessed value of their real estate. –www–

Matthew E. Panush is a senior analyst with Worsek & Vihon. Prior to joining the firm, Matt spent 10 years with the Cook County Board of Review as lead analyst for all condominium and residential properties during his tenure with the Board. He also adjudicated appeals of commercial, industrial and income-producing properties. In addition, he served as the community spokesperson for three commissioners, conducting more than 400 outreach seminars to assist and educate taxpayers on how to challenge their assessments to determine if a property was overvalued and not equitably assessed. Matt has a proven track record in navigating the property tax system in Cook County and securing substantial reductions in the assessed value of real estate on behalf of his clients. –www–

Steven Pallotto is an elite Mortgage Broker with 23 years of experience in the lending industry. Along with Real Estate Resource Home Loans, Steven has the ability to source funds under the best available mortgage terms for his clients through his relationships with the top financial institutions in the Chicago area. Steven has extensive experience in securing financing across a broad spectrum of loan programs in the greater Chicagoland market for both initial purchase financing and re-financing. Steven also has extensive experience assisting his clients in analyzing their property assessed valuation and guiding them through the process of obtainging reductions in assessed value, the first step in securing a reduction of the final tax bill. –www–

Information & Resources

The property tax system in Cook County can be difficult to navigate. Provided below are resources we hope will help you understand the property tax system in Cook County, how your property’s tax bill is calculated and the exemptions to which you might be entitled.

Property Assessments: The Cook County Assessor determines a value for your property based on the recent sales of properties in your neighborhood that have similar characteristics to your home (age, square footage and type of construction).

Each year the Cook County Clerk determines the Tax Rate based on the levy ordinances passed by local taxing agencies and applies these rates to your assessment.

Your Tax Bill = Your Property Assessment X The Tax Rate

The Cook County Treasurer mails out your tax bills, broken into two installments, and collects taxes due.

There is good news however! You can reduce your tax liability by claiming certain exemptions and reducing your property’s assessed value.

EXEMPTIONS

Cook County allows some tax relief through exemptions; if you fall into certain categories your property’s assessed value may be reduced:

If you occupy the property you own as your primary residence you may qualify for the Homeowner Exemption
If you are a Senior Citizen you may qualify for the Senior Citizen Exemption

Additional exemptions may be available for homeowners who qualify under other categories:

APPEALS

You can challenge the Assessor’s valuation of your property and attempt to reduce your tax bill.

You can submit an appeal on your own or seek the assistance of professionals such as those at The Property Tax Event to guide you through the process.

REGISTER NOW!

If you would like to attend The Property Tax Event, have questions about your property tax bill or appealing the assessed value of your property, please fill out the following form: