What is it that you do?

Fair Value Appeal offers a headache-free solution for homeowners interested in minimizing their property tax bill.

How do you do that?

Acting as your agent, Fair Value Appeal works to reduce your property valuation assessment, which is the key to a lower tax bill.

My new “blue sheet” from Lake County shows a decrease in my property assessment. Does that mean that I should just be happy and not bother seeing if my assessment is fair and equitable?

No

If Fair Value succeeds in lowering my property valuation assessment, will my tax bill be lower than if I had not appealed my assessment?

Yes.

Does that mean that my new tax bill will be lower than I am currently paying?

Not necessarily. Each of your local taxing bodies, such as the school district, the park district and the library, among others, determine the amount it needs in property taxes to operate. The total amount needed is divided by the value of all property in that taxing body’s district. This produces a tax rate, which is then applied to your home. If your district taxing bodies ask for more money, tax rates will go higher in order to give them the money they are requesting. Again, if Fair Value Appeal successfully appeals your assessment, your tax bill will be lower than if you had not appealed your assessment.

How do I know if I got a reduction in my property taxes?

The official findings of the Lake County Board of Review are mailed in Spring, 2013. We will notify you when we receive this document.

When do you bill me?

As soon as the 2012 tax rate is published in May, 2013, we will be able to calculate your bill and send you a detailed invoice.