Your Property Tax Bill

• View your tax bill and payment history
• Payment Options
• How to read your property tax bill (PDF)
• FAQs
• Tax Sale Information
• Treasurer's Office
• Understanding your tax bill

What Can I Do to Lower my Bill?

Apply for Exemptions

Determine if you have all the exemptions to which you are entitled by using the Smartfile E-filing Portal. Homestead exemptions can provide relief to eligible homeowners, as it exempts a certain dollar amount or percentage of a home’s value from property taxes. Exemptions are available for disabled persons, general homestead, home improvement, seniors, and veterans. Learn more about exemptions.

Appeal Your Assessment

Once you receive your assessment notice, visit tax.lakecountyil.gov for details on your home and check for accuracy. If you feel you are over-assessed, you should contact your township assessor’s office; then if necessary, file an assessment appeal.

• Appeal Filing Deadlines
  
• Appeal Process
  
• Assessment Information
• Board of Review Forms
• Contact Your Assessor
• Online Appeal Filing
• Preferential Assessments

What is Lake County Doing to Lower my Bill?

Lake County has more than 200 individual entities that levy property taxes, which is why the Lake County Board is pursuing partnerships and looking for consolidation opportunities to reduce this number. Consolidation efforts are centered around partnerships that will enhance efficiency, accountability, and cost savings. 

• Learn how the County Board has kept the tax levy flat for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021.
  
• Learn more about consolidation efforts and how your property tax dollars are used to help make Lake County a great place to live, work and visit.

Taxpayer Bill of Rights

As a taxpayer, you have a right to the following:

A Right to Know How Your Property Tax Dollars are Being Spent

The Treasurer sends out tax bills and collects and distributes funds for all Lake County taxing districts. While taxpayers pay their property taxes to the Lake County Treasurer, Lake County government only receives about seven percent of the average tax bill payment. School districts get the biggest portion (about 69 percent).

• See how your individual property taxes are distributed (for any parcel) and how to contact those taxing bodies on Lake County's Tax Distribution website. 
• View maps of different taxing districts in Lake County's Tax District Map Gallery.
• Learn how the County Board has kept the tax levy flat for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021.
• Your property tax dollars help make Lake County a great place to live, work and visit. Learn more

A Right to Challenge and Appeal Your Assessment

• Appeal Your Assessment with the County
• Appeal Your Assessment with the State
• Appeal Your Property Description and Exemptions

A Right to a Just Property Tax System

• Understanding the Property Tax Process (PDF)