Assessor Berrios Alerts Taxpayers: Beware Solicitors Charging to File for Missing Property Tax Exemptions

Originally published at the Cook County Assessor's website: Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios announced there have been numerous reports of people soliciting taxpayers and offering to file exemption applications on their behalf. The solicitors, claiming to be Cook County Assessor’s Office employees, research public records and contact taxpayers who may have failed to file for property tax exemptions in prior years. “I want all taxpayers to be aware that they do not need representation or to pay to file for a Certificate of Error for a missing exemption,” Berrios said. “Certificate of Error exemption applications may be downloaded from our Web site or taxpayers may also call our office and request that a Certificate of Error exemption form be mailed to them.” Residential exemption Certificates of Error are issued to taxpayers when an exemption does not appear on a second-installment bill or when a taxpayer fails to apply for an exemption prior to receiving a bill. Application is made with the Cook County Assessor and once the exemption application is certified, the Cook County Treasurer issues the taxpayer a refund check.“Exemptions may save taxpayers a significant amount of money on their tax bills and I strongly encourage all taxpayers to ensure that they have received exemptions for the years they were entitled,” Berrios said. “The exemption Certificate of Error process is simple and application can be made with no cost to the taxpayer.” Taxpayers with information regarding solicitors that have contacted them regarding missing exemptions may contact the Assessor’s Office at 312-603-7800. Detailed exemption information may be obtained by visiting the assessor’s Web site at www.cookcountyassessor.com or by contacting the Assessor’s Taxpayer Services Department at 312-603-7550.