Assessor’s Office

The Schaumburg Township Assessor’s office is a liaison to the Cook County Assessor’s office. The mission of the Assessor’s office is to assist Schaumburg Township residents with accurate and prompt service. Our office utilizes computerized software linked to the Cook County Assessor’s records, allowing staff to access information on properties within Schaumburg Township.

Coffee with the Assessor

Enjoy a meeting with Assessor Lawson! Come meet your Township Assessor John Lawson to learn about your property assessment or how to file appeals. The program allows township residents with five or more guests to host a private seminar/presentation with Assessor Lawson to discuss property tax-related issues, concerns or questions. The presentation can be held at a resident’s home (yard/patio), local library or in the local community. Some of the areas discussed are:

What does the Assessor do and what services does his office provide to the residents?
What are the appeal processes at the Cook County Assessor’s Office and the Cook County Board of Review? Why are appeals important?
What is the Triennial and how does that impact my tax bill?
Who decides the dollar amount of my property tax bill?
Have I exhausted all my exemption options?
Why is my second tax bill not 55% on my first?
How do I change my name or address on my tax property bill?
What can a resident do if his or her tax bill is incorrect when mailed by the Treasurer?

To host your own Coffee with the Assessor or for assistance regarding county-related questions, please call the Assessor’s Office at 847-884-0030 or email: vmorales@schaumburgtownship.org

Appealing Your Assessment

Property owners have three venues through which they may appeal their assessments. The first place you may appeal is the Cook County Assessor’s Office. If you do not appeal to the County Assessor, or if the reduction granted is too small, you may then appeal to the Cook County Board of Review. Your last chance for assessment reduction is with the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB). However, you may not appeal to the PTAB unless you have already appealed to the Board of Review.

How to File an Appeal

The Cook County Assessor’s Office has a step-by-step guide to assist you with filing your appeal online by clicking here. Create a new account here.

Residential Property Tax Exemptions

Below is an explanation of the various residential property tax exemptions.

Homeowners Exemption

The Homeowner Exemption is available to owners of single family homes, condominiums, cooperatives and apartment buildings of six units or less. The property must have been occupied by its current or previous owner as his or her principle residence on January 1st of the tax year for which the exemption is granted. Homeowner Exemptions are automatically applied only if received the prior year. The exemption will be applied on your 2nd installment of your property tax bill. This exemption reduces the home’s Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) a minimum of $10,000.

Senior Citizen Exemption

To be eligible for the Senior Exemption, which will reduce your equalized, assessed value by $8,000, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

You or your spouse are 66 years of age or older during the tax year for which you are applying for the exemption,
As of January 1st of the tax year, you must own the property and be on the deed.
As of January 1st of the tax year, the property must be your principal residence.

Senior Citizens receiving a Senior Citizen Exemption automatically receive a Homeowners Exemption and do not have to apply separately. The Senior Citizen Exemption will renew automatically if received the prior year.

Senior Freeze Exemption

This exemption freezes the assessed value of your home for one year, reducing the rate of growth of your property taxes.

To qualify for this exemption you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

You or your spouse are 66 years of age or older during the tax year.
The property must be your principle residence during the tax year (e.g. January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2017) of the assessment freeze,
Your total household income did not exceed $65,000 the prior year for which you are requesting the assessment freeze.

You must file each year in order to continue to receive the Senior Freeze Exemption. Requirements must be met each year to receive the freeze.

Returning Veterans’ Exemption

Returning Veterans’ Homeowner Exemption provides a one-time $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the veteran’s principal residence for the taxable year and the following tax year that the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the United States. The veterans must own and occupy the property on January 1st of the assessment year. It must be used as his or her principal residence prior to departing for active duty.

To qualify the veteran must be:

An Illinois resident who has served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Illinois National Guard or U.S. Reserved Forces,
Be returning from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the U.S.,
Owned or had a legal or equitable interest in the property and used it as a principle place of residence on January 1, 2014, of the assessment year.
Be liable for the payment of property taxes.

Disabled Veterans’ Homeowners Exemption

The amount of the exemption each year depends on the percentage of the disabled veteran’s service-connected disability as certified by U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. A disabled veteran at least 70% disabled will be completely exempt from property taxes but will still need to complete the renewal form every year. A disabled veteran with at least a 50% to 69% service-connected disability will receive an annual $5,000 reduction in EAV. A veteran with a 30% to 40% service-connected disability will receive an annual $2,500 reduction in EAV.

To qualify the veteran must be:

An Illinois resident who has served as a member of the U.S Armed Forces on active duty or on active duty in the state of Illinois, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces and has been honorably discharged,
Have at least a 30% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
Own and occupy the property as the primary residence on January 1, of the assessment year,
Have a total EAV of less than $250,000 for the primary residence, excluding the EAV of property used for commercial purposes or rented for more than six months.

Disabled Persons’ Exemption

This exemption provides disabled persons with an annual $2,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the property.

To qualify the applicant must be:

Disabled or become disabled during the assessment year
Must own the property and be on the deed
Occupy the property as the principle residence on January 1
Be liable for the payment of property taxes

Cook County Treasurer's Refund Outreach

Cook County residents who overpaid on their property tax bill may be eligible for a refund. Residents can check eligibility by visiting cookcountytreasurer.com and entering their property address information. The following video from the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas gives step-by-step instructions on how to apply to receive your refund.

View the video in Spanish:

View the video in Polish:

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Assessor’s Office