Rush is on to appeal tax assessments

Tuesday is the deadline for filing a tax assessment appeal if you live in Palatine Township, and the last-minute rush is on.

Friday morning, a steady stream of people filed into the township assessor's office to try to save a little money.

Resident Don Livingston said the appeal process was fairly simple.

"It's a little frustrating, but if you want to minimize what you pay, this is the process you have to go through," he said.

On average, tax assessments in the township rose 30 percent to 35 percent.

Wheeling Township residents are up next. Their notifications are to be mailed Sept. 21.

More than 1,200 people have called or stopped in with questions since the mailing, said Terry Kelly, township assessor. There are more than 100,000 residents in Palatine Township, which includes all or part of Palatine, Barrington, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Inverness and South Barrington.

As of Friday morning, more than 600 appeals had been filed through the township, Kelly said. Residents can also file appeals through Cook County and online.

"The numbers are up a little bit," he said. "I think people are more aware of assessments and aware of the impact."

Resident Bobbie Desprat said the assessor's staff was extremely helpful but agreed the process is frustrating.

"Of course it is, but everyone wants to save money," Desprat said.

Those who went through the appeal process Friday said it was taking 30 to 60 minutes.

When residents were done, staff in the assessor's office told them to expect a written response on their appeal within six to eight weeks.

Properties in Cook County are reassessed every three years, and new assessments reflect what's occurring in the market, officials say.

If your assessment is higher than your neighbors', that could be the basis for a successful appeal.

Go to cookcountyassessor.com for more information. Call the assessor's office at (847) 358-6700.