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Do you know that there are hundreds of taxing bodies in each county in the state of Illinois? Do you know that these bodies exacted more than 10 billion dollars from taxpayers during this past year?   Do you know that each year only 25% of the taxpayers whose properties are being reassessed contest their tax assessment?   Are you familiar with the reassessment cycle in your county?   Do you know how the assessor determines the market value of your property?   Do you know where and when you must begin the appeal process?   When you receive a notice of proposed reassessment from the Assessor’s Office, do you understand what it means?   When reviewing the assessment on your property, do you determine whether it is an accurate reflection of its actual market value?   Do you take the next step, to see how other similarly situated, like-kind properties are being assessed?   Some counties classify properties by use; do you know if your property is being properly classified?   Do you regularly review the assessor’s property record cards to verify that they accurately reflect the physical characteristics, condition, and use of your property?   Do you know whether the assessing officials will reduce your assessed value because your property has been vacant or non-income producing for a prolonged period of time?   Do you know what assessment incentives or real estate tax abatements might be available from municipalities in which you are considering an expansion or re-location?   Do you know when you must apply for them?   Do you know that property owners in Cook County have another forum, the Property Tax Appeal Board, in which to contest their assessments?   Do you know that taxpayers in Cook County can raise issues in their appeals which they have not been able to raise before?   Do you know that the Cook County Board of Review will be able to file its own complaint to correct your assessment, even if you haven’t filed an appeal on your property?   Did you know that placing your vacant land into agricultural or forestry use can reduce your assessment by 50-90%?   Are you aware of the impact that county and state multipliers can have upon the assessed value of your property?   Do you know that local school districts and other taxing bodies can file independent assessment complaints against your property and seek to have your assessment increased?   Are you familiar with issues relating to median levels of assessment, which can be used to contest your assessment, even if the market value of your property is not excessive?   Do you know how to make the most effective appeal, one that will give you the best chance to obtain tax relief?   Do you know how to find experienced legal advice and counsel from lawyers who concentrate on real property matters?

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