In the coming weeks, thousands of homeowners in Cook County can look forward to receiving direct payments as a result of a new automatic property tax refund program. The program, which is being administered by the Cook County Treasury, is aimed at providing relief to homeowners who overpaid on their first installment taxes in 2021.
According to county officials, approximately 53,000 homeowners are eligible for the refund. Many of these property owners left off exemptions that would have lowered their property tax bills. These exemptions include the Homeowner, Senior Citizen, Senior Freeze, and Disabled Persons exemptions.
According to Cook County Treasury Spokesperson Andrew Gavrilos, the average refund amount will be $883. This means that eligible homeowners can expect to receive a significant amount of money back, which can be used to help cover other expenses or to pay off debts.
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In total, 22,241 who paid through a bank or mortgage escrow account will be mailed a refund, while 16,629 recipients who paid their property tax bill online will receive direct deposits. The remaining 14,137 homeowners who paid by cash or check will either receive an electronic refund or be mailed a refund application that they will fill out to get the payment.
The automatic property tax refund program is a welcome relief for many homeowners in Cook County who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. It is also a step in the right direction toward providing more equitable and fair property tax policies for all residents.
Cook County officials are encouraging homeowners who believe they may be eligible for the refund to contact the Cook County Treasury to learn more about the program and to find out how to apply.
Overall, this new automatic property tax refund program is a positive development for thousands of homeowners in Cook County. It will provide much-needed relief to those who have overpaid on their property taxes, while also helping to ensure that property tax policies are more fair and equitable for all residents.
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