How to Pay Your Property Tax Bill with the Cook County Treasurer

Paying your property tax bill to the Cook County Treasurer can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! As a Cook County homeowner, you have several convenient options for paying your property taxes each year. In this article, we’ll walk through the different ways you can pay your Cook County property tax bill, including online, by mail, in person, and through third party services. We’ll also provide tips for understanding your tax bill, finding your PIN, and getting a copy of your bill.

Online Payment

The easiest way to pay your Cook County property tax bill is online through the Treasurer’s website. You can make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments on the Payments page.

To pay online you’ll need your 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN). This number is unique to your property and acts like an account number for your taxes. You can find your PIN on your paper tax bill or by using the PIN Search tool.

Once you enter your PIN, select whether you want to make a full or partial payment You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check from your bank account A convenience fee of about 2.85% is charged for credit/debit payments, but there is no fee for electronic check payments.

The online system is available 24/7, so you can pay your taxes at any time before the due date. You’ll receive an emailed receipt after paying online.

Pay by Mail

To pay your Cook County property taxes by mail, detach the payment coupon from the bottom of your paper bill and enclose it with your check or money order. Make sure your PIN is written on the payment.

Mail your payment to:

Cook County Treasurer’s Office
P.O. Box 805438
Chicago, IL 60680-4116

Payments must be postmarked by the due date to avoid late fees. Allow 7-10 days for your mailed payment to process. You can track the status of mailed payments using the Payment Search tool.

Pay In Person

You can pay your Cook County property taxes in person at several locations:

• Cook County Treasurer’s Office, 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602

• Over 200 community banks and credit unions in Cook County

• Chase Bank branches countywide

At the Treasurer’s Office or a community bank, you can pay with cash, check, credit/debit card or money order. Bring your paper bill or know your PIN. Chase Bank only accepts Chase debit/credit cards.

In-person payments must be made by the due date to avoid late fees. Visit the Pay Locations page for details on banks and hours.

Other Ways to Pay

• By phone – You can pay your Cook County property taxes by phone through Chase Bank at (866) 957-7821. Have your PIN and Chase debit/credit card ready.

• Automatic payments – Set up recurring automatic ACH or wire transfers from your bank account through the Treasurer’s Office. Complete the ACH form or wire transfer form.

• Mortgage escrow – If you have an escrow account with your mortgage, your lender often pays the property taxes for you and adjusts your monthly payment. Check with your mortgage servicer.

• Tax bill consolidators – Companies like Cook County Tax Assistance can offer consolidated property tax payments for an additional fee.

Understanding Your Property Tax Bill

Your paper property tax bill from the Cook County Treasurer contains a lot of important information:

• Property Identification Number (PIN) – Unique 14-digit number assigned to your property.

• Owner name and mailing address – This must be correct to receive your bill. Update any changes through the Treasurer’s Office.

• Legal description – Details your property’s subdivision, block, lot, etc.

• Assessed value – The value assigned by the Cook County Assessor in the last assessment.

• Exemptions – Any tax exemptions you currently receive, like the homeowners exemption.

• Tax rates – The rates used by each taxing district to calculate your bill.

• Tax amounts – How much you owe each taxing district based on rates and assessed value.

• Due dates – First and second installment due dates; pay by the first to avoid late fees.

• Tax year – The calendar year for which the taxes are being billed.

If you have questions about your assessment, exemptions, or tax rates, contact the Assessor’s Office or your local taxing districts.

Getting a Copy of Your Tax Bill

If you need another copy of your current or previous property tax bill, you have a few options:

• Download bills from the last 4 years through your Property Tax Portal account.

• Call the Treasurer’s Office at 312-443-5100 and request a copy by mail or email.

• Submit the Duplicate Bill Request Form by mail or in person.

• Visit the Treasurer’s Office in person and request a printed copy.

Avoid Late Fees and Tax Lien Sales

To avoid late fees, make sure to pay each installment of your Cook County property taxes by the due date printed on your bill. The first installment is due around March 1 and the second is due around August 1 each year.

If you miss an installment deadline, late penalties get applied to your balance each month. After about 2 years of delinquency, unpaid property taxes can trigger the Annual Tax Sale where investors can purchase the tax lien and eventually take property ownership.

Set up reminders for your installments, enroll in an automatic payment plan, or consider paying your full year early to prevent ending up in the tax sales. The Cook County Treasurer’s Office has online tools and payment plans to help you pay on time.

Paying your Cook County property taxes may seem complicated your first time, but the Treasurer’s Office offers secure and convenient online payments, neighborhood payment locations, and other options to simply the process. Understanding your tax bill and PIN are key to successful payment. Reach out to the Treasurer’s Office with any other questions about paying your Cook County property tax bill.