Chicago City Wire

Cook County property owners in Illinois can now get a head start on their property tax bills, thanks to Treasurer Maria Pappas. Pappas announced that taxpayers can visit the cookcountytreasurer.com website to view, download, and even prepay their First Installment 2023 property tax bills.

Traditionally, property owners had to wait for their tax bills to arrive in the mail to find out how much they owed. However, by providing an early look at the bills, Pappas aims to help property owners plan their finances and make timely payments. This can be particularly helpful as many bills tend to pile up after the holiday season.

According to Pappas, "By posting First Installment bills online months before they are due or even mailed, we strive to help people manage their household budgets and plan accordingly."

The First Installment of property tax bills, which accounts for 55 percent of the previous year's total tax, is due on March 1, 2024. By accessing their bills in advance, property owners have the opportunity to plan their payments and avoid any potential late charges.

The Treasurer's Office expects to mail the First Installment 2023 bills to approximately 1.7 million property owners around February 1. However, property owners don't have to wait for the physical bills to arrive. They can simply visit cookcountytreasurer.com and follow a few simple steps to download their tax bills and make payments.

To access their tax bills, property owners need to select the blue box labeled "Pay Online for Free" and enter their address or 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN). If paying from a bank account, there is no fee. The Treasurer's Office also accepts partial payments, but it's important to note that the First Installment taxes must be paid in full by March 1 to avoid a late charge of 0.75 percent per month, as mandated by Illinois law.

In addition to providing early access to tax bills, the cookcountytreasurer.com website offers other useful features. Property owners can search for $93 million in available refunds, ensuring that they are not missing out on any potential tax savings. Additionally, they can check if they qualify for $57 million in property tax exemptions, which can significantly lower their overall tax bills.

Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Cook County Treasurer's Office are committed to making the property tax process more transparent and accessible for all residents. By providing early access to tax bills and offering online payment options, they are empowering property owners to better manage their finances and avoid unnecessary fees.

So, if you're a property owner in Cook County, make sure to visit cookcountytreasurer.com to get a preview of your property tax bill and take advantage of the convenient online payment options.

To learn more, click on this link: https://repstephens.com/2023/12/14/treasurer-pappas-posts-property-tax-bills-online-and-gives-taxpayers-a-preview-of-amounts-due-march-1/