Paying Your Taxes

After your property has been assessed, and you receive the Assessed Notice of Proposed Valuation, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office (CCT) will send you an official property tax bill. In Cook County, taxes are paid in two installments during the year. The first payment, due on the first business day in March, is equal to 50% of the prior year's total tax bill.

The due date of the second installment varies for two reasons. First, calculation of the second installment depends on the final analysis of data, such as the state equalization factor, provided by other state and county agencies. Second, this installment includes exemptions, assessment appeals, new assessments, the state equalization factor and various district tax rates such as school and park districts. Only after the Board of Review has evaluated all appeals in Cook County will the second installment of tax bills be prepared and mailed by the Cook County Treasurer. The more appeals that need to be settled, the longer you have to pay the second installment, and vice versa.

The CCT announces the tax payment schedule on its Website, through the news media, emails and other methods of correspondence. Your bill will include the amount due, a payment schedule and information on payment options.

For more information and answers to questions not covered in this section, please visit the Cook County Treasurer’s Website. In addition, the CCT’s Legal Office and Customer Service Office have many brochures and pamphlets on various property tax-related issues.