Property Tax Assessment Appeals

Property tax appeals require a clear understanding of how assessments are determined, along with local knowledge of property values and assessment appeal procedures, and strict attention to detail. ZCWS will help you understand how your assessment compares to similar properties and whether the numbers support a formal appeal.

Our appeal services include:

• Residential property tax assessment appeals
• Commercial and industrial property tax appeals
• Appeals involving property classification or valuation errors
• Review of assessed valuation and comparable properties
• Negotiation with township assessors
• Filing appeals and representation before local assessment review boards

ZCWS handles the entire tax appeal process for you, starting with preliminary negotiations and obtaining all relevant evidence, all the way through preparing the petitions, filing the formal appeal, and attending the Board of Review Hearing.

Property tax issues often overlap with broader real estate considerations, and effective appeals benefit from an understanding of the full picture. ZCWS’s property tax appeal representation is strengthened by our firm’s deep experience in real estate law. Our real estate attorneys work closely with the tax appeal team to ensure property characteristics, market conditions, and transaction history are clearly presented and accurately reflected.

In some residential cases and all commercial property assessment appeals, we will recommend you secure an appraisal on your property to strengthen your appeal. Our real estate law attorneys will help you find an assessor in your area. Trust ZCWS to guide you through the property tax appeal process with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgment.

We require a $100 evaluation fee to retain us to evaluate whether an appeal has merit for your property. If your property was appraised or purchased on or after January of the current year (or close thereto), the $00 initial fee will be waived.

When we determine an appeal is warranted, we charge 45% of the estimated tax savings realized for the first year following the appeal, based on the adjustment in equalized assessed value (EAV) made by the Township Assessor or the Board of Review. Future year savings are yours to keep. The tax savings estimate is calculated by multiplying your current local tax rate by the value of the reduction in your assessment.

For example: Let’s say your current tax rate is 14% of EAV and your EAV is reduced by $15,000. (15,000x14%)x45%=$945. Our fee is $945 for helping you lower your assessed value.

Please Note: a reduction in your EAV will not lower your property taxes that are due for the current year. McHenry County property taxes are paid in arrears, meaning the tax bill you pay for the current year covers the prior year’s taxes.