Where and how to pay Cook County property taxes

Cook County Treasurer's Office collects property taxes for Cook County. You can pay online through their website, by mail, in person at their office, or by phone. Online payment is the fastest route — you'll get a confirmation number immediately and can track the payment status. The Treasurer's Office accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers online, though credit and debit card payments carry a processing fee.

Payments by mail go to Cook County Treasurer, 69 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602. Include your property index number (PIN) or account number on the check or money order. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to post to your account. If you pay in person, the office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone payments are also available — call the Treasurer's Office to speak with someone who can process your payment over the phone using a bank account or card.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through the Cook County Treasurer's website is the fastest method and provides an immediate confirmation number.
  • You need your property index number (PIN) or account number to make a payment, which appears on your tax bill.
  • Credit and debit card payments online include a processing fee, but electronic bank transfers do not.
  • Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post, so send them well before the due date to avoid late fees.
  • The Treasurer's Office accepts payments year-round, but property taxes are typically due in two installments — usually March and September.

Payment deadlines and installment dates

Cook County property taxes are divided into two installments per year. The first installment is usually due in March, and the second is usually due in September. The exact dates vary slightly each year based on when the Treasurer's Office processes the bills. Check your tax bill for the specific due date, or visit the Cook County Treasurer's website to confirm the current year's deadlines.

If you miss the due date, a penalty and interest charges are added to your bill. The penalty is typically 1.5% of the unpaid tax, and interest accrues daily after the due date. Paying as soon as you receive your bill prevents these extra charges. If you know you'll have trouble paying by the deadline, contact the Treasurer's Office to discuss payment plans or deferral options before the due date passes.

What information you need to pay

To pay your property tax bill, have one of these identifiers ready: your property index number (PIN), your account number, or your address. The PIN is a 14-digit number that uniquely identifies your property in Cook County's system. Your account number is shorter and also appears on your tax bill. If you're paying online, you'll enter this information into the payment portal. If you're paying by mail or phone, include it on your check or tell it to the representative.

If you don't have your bill in front of you, you can look up your PIN on the Cook County Assessor's website using your address. The Treasurer's Office website also has a search tool where you can enter your address or PIN to view your account and payment history. Having this information ready before you start the payment process speeds things up, especially if you're paying by phone.

Online payment step-by-step

Visit the Cook County Treasurer's website and select the option to pay property taxes. Enter your property index number or account number. The system will display your current balance, due date, and any penalties or interest owed. Review the amount and confirm it matches your bill.

Select your payment method: credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer. If you use a card, you'll be charged a processing fee (the amount varies by processor). Electronic bank transfers typically have no fee. Enter your payment information and the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance or a partial payment. After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number — save this for your records. The payment usually posts within one to two business days.

Payment plans and hardship options

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, the Cook County Treasurer's Office may allow you to set up a payment plan. Contact the office before your payment is late to discuss options. Payment plans typically require you to pay a portion by the original due date and the remainder in installments over the following months. Interest and penalties continue to accrue on unpaid balances, so a payment plan does not stop those charges — it just spreads the total cost over time.

Some property owners may be may be able to access for tax deferrals or exemptions based on age, disability, or income. These are separate from payment plans and can reduce or delay your tax bill itself. The Cook County Assessor's Office handles exemptions, not the Treasurer's Office. If you think you might may have access to, contact the Assessor's Office to learn about programs like the Homeowner Exemption or Senior Exemption. These must be filed before the deadline to take effect on your current bill.

What happens if you don't pay on time

If your payment is not received by the due date, a penalty of 1.5% is added to your unpaid balance. Interest also begins to accrue at a rate set by state law — currently around 0.667% per month, though this rate can change. These charges compound, meaning interest accrues on top of the penalty and previous interest. The longer the bill remains unpaid, the larger the total amount owed becomes.

If taxes remain unpaid for an extended period, Cook County can place a lien on your property. A tax lien gives the county a legal claim against your home. If the property is sold, the county can use the sale proceeds to pay off the tax debt before you receive any money. In extreme cases, the county can foreclose on the property and sell it to recover the unpaid taxes. Contacting the Treasurer's Office as soon as you realize you'll be late is the best way to avoid these consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Cook County property taxes online with a credit card?

Yes, the Cook County Treasurer's website accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers. Credit and debit card payments include a processing fee set by the payment processor, usually 2% to 3% of the payment amount. Electronic bank transfers typically have no fee and may be the cheapest option if you have a bank account.

What's the difference between my property index number and my account number?

Your property index number (PIN) is a 14-digit code that identifies your specific property in Cook County's system. Your account number is shorter and is used by the Treasurer's Office to track your tax payments. Both appear on your tax bill. Either one will work to locate your account when you pay, though the PIN is the more permanent identifier.

Do I have to pay both installments at the same time?

No. The two installments have separate due dates and can be paid independently. You can pay the first installment in March and the second in September, or pay them at different times. However, if either installment is late, penalties and interest apply to that specific amount. Paying each by its due date avoids extra charges.

What if I paid online but my payment hasn't shown up yet?

Online payments typically post within one to two business days. Check your confirmation number and the payment status on the Treasurer's website. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still doesn't show, contact the Treasurer's Office with your confirmation number. They can verify whether the payment was received and when it will post to your account.

Can I set up automatic payments for my property taxes?

The Cook County Treasurer's Office does not currently offer automatic recurring payments through their website. You must initiate each payment manually. However, you can set a reminder on your calendar for each due date and pay online each time. Some banks offer bill-pay services that let you schedule payments to the Treasurer's Office through your bank account.