Are your taxes too high?  “Mine are too,” says Carol Perschke, McHenry Township Assessor.  But does the assessment reflect market value?  If you think your assessment is too low, come into the Assessment Office and we will be happy to increase it - no appointments required.  However, if you believe your assessment is too high, it is your right as a property owner to appeal that assessment. 

You can appeal it in a less formal environment by setting up an appointment and coming into the assessment office with evidence proving that it is too high. 

Evidence consists of a recent bank or fee appraisal (less than two years old) or information from other properties that you are using as comparables.  Estimates of market value provided by real estate agents are not as reliable as a regular appraisal.  Comparable properties must be representative of similar neighborhoods and similar building styles and construction.  Using a raised ranch sale or assessment for a brick ranch home does not qualify as a comparable.  Using a ranch as a comparable for a multi-story home also does not qualify as a comparable.  If you have a ranch – you must use data from other ranches.  If you have a multi-story – you must use data from other multi-story buildings. 

A minimum of three comparables up to a maximum of six comparables is good basis for analysis. The data you bring into the office is analyzed down to a building assessment per square foot.  

If your evidence proves the assessment is too high it will be adjusted on the spot.  If not, there will be no change. 

If you have come into the office and don’t agree with the results there you can file an appeal with the Board of Review. Specific forms are available from the Supervisor of Assessments office in Woodstock. They must be completed and submitted (multiple copies) also within the 30-day appeal period. Some owners don’t come to the assessment office first, but go directly to the Board of Review. 

The Board of Review will set up hearing dates (once a date is assigned, it cannot be changed) to hear the evidence from the owner and the assessment office. The Board Members will decide at that time if an adjustment is appropriate. 

Generally, it is less formal and much cheaper to work through the local assessment office instead of filing a complaint with the Board of Review.  Many times owners are intimidated and afraid to come in, but at the conclusion of most meetings, they admit they are pleasantly surprised at how friendly the staff is. Owners may not agree 100% with the outcome but they recognize that they were treated fairly and professionally.