Lake County Property Taxes Highest in the Midwest!

Despite the recent real estate downturn, most Lake County, Illinois property taxes have remained constant or even increased.  According to Forbes, Lake County residents pay five times the national average in property taxes and are saddled with the 16th highest property taxes out of 2,922 counties in the nation (tax foundation.org).

In addition, property tax rates vary significantly among different villages and townships in Lake County, from 5.502% in Lake Forest, up to 19.510% in Zion.  This means that a property valued at $600,000 in Lake Forest pays about the same amount of yearly property taxes as a $170,000 home in Zion!  Despite this wide disparity in tax rates, only about 10% of Lake County residents protest their property taxes, leaving 90% of the property owners paying their taxes without ever pursuing an appeal to reduce their tax burden.

One reason so few owners appeal is that the property tax appeal process can be complex and intimidating.  Additionally, appeals must be filed within the 30 day deadline after the annual “blue card” assessment notices are published.  There are no extensions once the deadline has passed.

Lake County Appeal (LCA) is Lake County’s Most Successful Property Tax Appeal FirmSM (based on the number of successful property tax appeals filed in the last four years) and was formed to help Lake County property owners successfully appeal and significantly lower their property taxes.  It has lowered market values over $500,000,000 for its clients.  The LCA team has years of experience in reducing property tax burdens for residential, commercial and industrial property owners.

“We work to obtain fair and equitable property tax assessments for our clients”, says LCA owner and tax attorney Ron Kingsley.  “A lowered assessment equates to a lower property tax bill”, explained Kingsley.

Lake County Appeal charges a minimal fee of $65 for the initial residential property review.  “If our in-depth research determines that an appeal is warranted, we will handle all aspects of the appeal”, states Kingsley.  LCA will gather data and evidence, prepare the case, submit the appeal and provide attorney representation at hearings.

There are no additional fees unless Lake County Appeal is successful in reducing the property tax assessment.  They work on a contingency basis, with a fee of 37.5% of what a property owner saves in taxes.  According to Curtis Perlman, Director of Key Accounts for LCA, “The more your property decreases in value, or your commercial vacancies increase, the more you need the services of Lake County Appeal.”

The team at Lake County Appeal is dedicated to Property Tax JusticeSM.  Visit www.LakeCountyAppeal.com for more information or to sign up for their newsletter.