WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County’s property tax workshop is returning to McHenry County College for a second time, and attendees will learn about new services and resources that will be available for taxpayers with this year’s payments.
Once again, McHenry County Treasurer Donna Kurtz, County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio, and Chief Assessment Officer Alex Benitez are teaming up to hold a workshop event to educate the public on property taxes. This next workshop will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Luecht Auditorium (Building B) of McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
The presentation will review material similar to the tax workshop held May 6 at the college.
This workshop is a great opportunity to learn the “ABCs of property taxes”. Attendees will learn how to navigate their tax bill, learn about all the exemptions available to them, learn the impact of increasing assessments, and understand how tax levies, budgets, and elections affect property taxes.
Attendees will receive a Resource Guide with important property tax information. The event is free, but attendees should register in advance to be assured of receiving a Resource Guide and a seat. They can do so by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 815-334-4260, or by emailing Treasurer@mchenrycountyil.gov.
Besides property taxes, Tirio will also discuss his office’s Property Fraud Alert program. With cases of property fraud and identity theft on the rise, the free subscription service offers personal notification to the subscriber via email, text, or telephone if a document is recorded in their name – and his office, upon request, will refer potential property fraud cases to law enforcement agencies for investigation. To sign up for the service, visit www.propertyfraudalert.com, or call 800-334-4110.
Benitez will explain how assessments work so homeowners in subsequent years can understand the process and will also explain the many exemptions and deductions available to property owners.
Starting this year, McHenry County is no longer mailing out assessment notices for properties that are only adjusted by their equalization factor – property owners can find that information online as their townships publish their assessments. Property owners are strongly encouraged to sign up for text and email notifications as townships publish – they can learn more and learn how to do so by visiting the Assessments Office webpage, or by calling 815-334-4290.
