What the Will County Tax Assessor does
The Will County Tax Assessor is an elected county official whose job is to determine the value of all real property in Will County for tax purposes. This office does not set your tax rate or collect your taxes — it estimates what your land and buildings are worth, and that estimate becomes the basis for your property tax bill. The assessor's valuation is one of the numbers your local taxing bodies (school districts, municipalities, park districts) use to calculate how much tax you owe.
The Tax Assessor's office maintains property records, conducts inspections, and reviews sales data to assign assessed values. If you disagree with the value assigned to your property, you have the right to challenge it through a formal process. The office also handles exemptions — reductions in assessed value for homeowners, seniors, veterans, and other categories defined by Illinois law.
Key Takeaways
- The Tax Assessor values your property; your local taxing bodies use that value to calculate your tax bill.
- You can challenge your property's assessed value through the Board of Review, which is a separate body that hears objections.
- Homeowner exemptions, senior exemptions, and veteran exemptions can lower your assessed value if you meet the requirements.
- Property records, including the assessed value and exemption status, are public and available through the Tax Assessor's office or online.
How property values are determined in Will County
The Tax Assessor uses three main approaches to value property: the sales comparison method (what similar properties sold for recently), the cost approach (what it would cost to rebuild the structure), and the income approach (for rental or commercial properties, what income the property generates). Most residential properties are valued using sales comparisons — the assessor looks at recent arm's-length sales of comparable homes in your area and adjusts for differences in size, condition, and features.
Assessments are supposed to reflect market value as of a specific date each year. In Will County, the assessor's office conducts periodic reassessments of all properties. The frequency and scope of reassessment varies by township and can change. You can contact the Will County Tax Assessor's office directly to learn when your property was last reassessed and what data was used.
The assessed value is not the same as your home's market value or the price you could sell it for. The assessed value is a percentage of market value set by state law, and that percentage can vary. Your property tax bill is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the tax rate set by your local taxing bodies.
Homeowner and senior exemptions
Illinois law allows homeowners who occupy their property as a primary residence to claim a homeowner exemption, which reduces the assessed value. The amount of the reduction varies by county and year. Will County homeowners should contact the Tax Assessor's office to confirm the current exemption amount and whether they are already receiving it.
Senior citizens (usually age 65 and older) may be may have access to to an additional senior exemption on top of the homeowner exemption. Veterans with service-connected disabilities may also may have access to for exemptions. Each exemption has specific requirements — you typically must own the property, occupy it as your primary residence, and meet income or disability thresholds. The Tax Assessor's office can provide the exact requirements and the forms needed to claim these exemptions.
How to challenge your assessed value
If you believe your property's assessed value is too high, you can file an objection with the Will County Board of Review. The Board of Review is a separate body from the Tax Assessor's office and hears challenges to assessments. You do not appeal directly to the Tax Assessor; you go to the Board of Review.
The deadline to file an objection is typically in early March each year, though the exact date varies. You must file before the deadline to be heard. The Board of Review will schedule a hearing where you can present evidence — recent appraisals, comparable sales, photographs, or documentation of property defects. Bring documentation of what you believe the property is actually worth and why the assessor's value is incorrect.
If you disagree with the Board of Review's decision, you can appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB), which is a state agency. This is a more formal process and may require legal representation. Most people do not proceed to PTAB unless the assessed value is significantly overstated.
Accessing property records and assessment information
Property records in Will County are public. You can view the assessed value, exemption status, and other details about any property by visiting the Tax Assessor's office in person or by checking online resources. The Will County Assessor's website typically includes a searchable database where you can enter an address or parcel number and view the assessment card.
The assessment card shows the property description (lot size, building square footage, year built, condition), the assessed value, any exemptions claimed, and the date of the last inspection or reassessment. If information on the card is incorrect — for example, if the square footage is wrong or improvements are missing — you can request a correction. Errors in property description can lead to inflated assessments.
When to contact the Tax Assessor's office
Contact the Will County Tax Assessor if you have questions about your assessed value, want to know when your property was last valued, need information about exemptions, or believe the property description on your assessment card is inaccurate. You should also reach out if you are a new homeowner and want to confirm that the homeowner exemption has been applied to your property.
The office can also clarify the difference between assessed value and market value, explain how your tax bill is calculated, and provide guidance on the objection process. If you are unsure whether you may have access to for a senior or veteran exemption, the Tax Assessor's office can review your situation and tell you what documentation you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out what my property is assessed at?
Visit the Will County Tax Assessor's website and use the online property search tool, or call the office directly with your address or parcel number. You can also visit the office in person to view your assessment card, which shows the assessed value, property description, and exemptions.
Can I lower my property tax bill by lowering my assessed value?
Lowering your assessed value through an objection to the Board of Review will lower your property tax bill, because the tax bill is calculated from the assessed value. However, you must prove that the assessor's value is incorrect — you cannot simply disagree with it. Bring evidence such as recent appraisals or comparable sales.
What is the difference between assessed value and market value?
Market value is what your property would sell for on the open market. Assessed value is a percentage of market value, set by state law, and is used only to calculate property taxes. Your home's market value and assessed value are usually different numbers.
Do I automatically get the homeowner exemption, or do I have to claim it?
This varies. In some Will County townships, the exemption is automatic if you meet the requirements. In others, you must file a claim. Contact the Tax Assessor's office to confirm whether you are receiving the exemption and what steps you need to take if you are not.
What happens if I miss the deadline to object to my assessment?
If you miss the Board of Review deadline (usually early March), you cannot file an objection that year. You will have to wait until the next assessment cycle. Mark the deadline on your calendar or contact the Tax Assessor's office in January to confirm the exact date for the current year.