Adams County Property Tax Appeal, Illinois

Travis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Adams County is located in western Illinois along the Mississippi River with a population of approximately 64,318 residents. The county seat is Quincy, the largest city with nearly 38,000 residents, along with smaller communities like Camp Point and Payson. With a median home value of $98,400 and an effective property tax rate of 1.61%, Adams County homeowners pay a median annual tax bill of $1,580, which is below the Illinois state median of $2,400 but above the national median. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Adams County because assessment errors can result in homeowners overpaying hundreds of dollars annually, and approximately 25% of homes nationwide are overassessed.

Notable cities: Quincy, Camp Point, Payson

Median Home

$98,400

Tax Rate

1.61%

Annual Tax

$1,580

Population

64,318

On the typical Adams County home, valued near $98,400 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.61%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: August 12, 2026

In Adams County and all Illinois counties with populations under 150,000, property tax appeals must be filed with the Board of Review by August 12th each year. This deadline may be extended if the Supervisor of Assessments has not met required publication dates. Assessment notices are typically published in July, and property owners should file appeals promptly after receiving their assessment notice.

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Aerial view of an Illinois residential neighborhood. Adams County appeal guide.

How Adams County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: Adams County Supervisor of Assessments and Township Assessors

Assessment cycle: quadrennial

Notices typically mailed: July

In Adams County, Illinois law requires residential property to be assessed at 33.33% of fair market value. If your home's market value is $98,400 (the county median), your assessed value would be $32,800 (98,400 × 0.3333). At Adams County's effective tax rate of 1.61%, this results in approximately $1,584 in annual property taxes. All property in Adams County is reassessed every four years, with assessment change notices published in July and mailed to property owners.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. After filing your written appeal, the Adams County Board of Review will review your complaint and send you a tentative decision. You may then request a formal hearing where you'll present your evidence to the three-member Board of Review. You may represent yourself or have an attorney represent you at the hearing.

Step 1: Review your assessment notice received in July and compare your property's assessed value to similar properties in your neighborhood. Obtain your property record card from the Supervisor of Assessments office at 507 Vermont Street, Quincy.

Step 2: Gather evidence to support your appeal, including recent comparable sales of similar properties, photographs showing property condition or defects, professional appraisals, repair estimates for any damage, and documentation of any assessment errors such as incorrect square footage or property characteristics.

Step 3: Contact the Adams County Assessor's office at (217) 277-2135 for an informal review before filing a formal appeal. Discuss your assessment with the township assessor to understand how it was calculated and attempt to resolve the issue informally.

Step 4: If the informal review doesn't resolve your concern, file a written complaint with the Adams County Board of Review by August 12th. Complete the complaint form with your property information, requested fair market value, and attach all supporting evidence including comparable sales and photographs.

Step 5: The Board of Review will review your written complaint and notify you of their tentative decision. If you wish to present your case in person, request a hearing after receiving the written decision. Hearings are held from July through October, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Step 6: If dissatisfied with the Board of Review's decision, appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the written decision. PTAB appeals must be filed using prescribed forms available at www.ptab.illinois.gov.

Step 7: If still dissatisfied after PTAB's decision, you may appeal to circuit court. Consider consulting a property tax attorney for complex cases or high-value properties.

Required form: Property Tax Appeal Complaint Form (available from Board of Review) or Form PTAX-230

Filing Methods

in-person:Adams County Board of Review, 507 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301 (Adams County Courthouse)

mail:Mail completed complaint form to Adams County Board of Review, 507 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301 (must be postmarked by deadline)

phone:Call (217) 277-2135 to request appeal forms and information

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales of similar propertiesRecent professional appraisalPhotographs of property condition or defectsProperty record card showing assessment detailsRepair estimates for damageDocumentation of assessment errors

Adams County Assessor Contact

Adams County Board of Review

Website: https://www.adamscountyil.gov/county-board/board-of-review

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (July 10 - October 7 during appeal season)

Tax Exemptions in Adams County

General Homestead Exemption

$6,000 reduction in EAV

Reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) of your primary residence, lowering your property tax bill. This is the most common exemption for Illinois homeowners.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your principal residence as of January 1 of the tax year. Once approved, the exemption renews automatically each year without reapplication.Deadline: Contact Supervisor of Assessments office for current year deadline

Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in EAV

Provides additional property tax relief for senior homeowners on top of the General Homestead Exemption.

Eligibility: Must be 65 years of age or older during the tax year, own the home or have legal/equitable interest, live in the home as principal residence, and be liable for property tax payment. Starting in 2026, those who qualified in 2025 have automatic renewal.Deadline: First-time applicants must apply at Supervisor of Assessments office; previously approved exemptions renew automatically

Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption

Freezes EAV at base year value

Freezes the equalized assessed value at the base year level, preventing increases due to inflation. Does not freeze the tax bill itself, which can still increase if tax rates rise.

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older, have total household income of $75,000 or less, have used property as principal residence for previous and current year, and own the property as of January 1 of both years. Must be renewed annually.Deadline: Annual renewal required through Supervisor of Assessments office

Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption

$2,500 reduction (30-49% disability); $5,000 reduction (50-69% disability); Total exemption (70%+ disability or returning veteran)

Provides property tax relief for veterans with service-connected disabilities certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with service-connected disability certified by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at specified levels, own the property, and use it as principal residence.Deadline: Apply through Supervisor of Assessments office; previously approved exemptions are automatically renewed

Adams County Appeal Packet — $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Adams County for 2026?

The deadline to file a property tax appeal with the Adams County Board of Review is August 12, 2026. This is a fixed statutory deadline for all Illinois counties with populations under 150,000. However, this date may be extended if the Supervisor of Assessments has not met required publication dates for assessment notices. Assessment changes are typically published in July each year, so property owners should act quickly after receiving their assessment notice to ensure they don't miss the deadline.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Adams County?

To file a property tax appeal in Adams County, first obtain a complaint form by calling the Board of Review at (217) 277-2135 or visiting their office at 507 Vermont Street in the Adams County Courthouse in Quincy. Complete the form with your property information, the fair market value you believe is correct, and attach supporting evidence such as comparable sales, photographs, and appraisals. Submit the completed form in person or by mail postmarked by August 12th. Before filing a formal appeal, you may contact the township assessor for an informal review to potentially resolve the issue without a formal hearing.

What is the General Homestead Exemption worth in Adams County?

The General Homestead Exemption in Adams County reduces your property's equalized assessed value (EAV) by $6,000, which is the standard amount for Illinois counties outside Cook County and its collar counties. At Adams County's effective tax rate of approximately 1.61%, this $6,000 EAV reduction translates to annual property tax savings of roughly $97. This exemption is available to all homeowners who own and occupy their property as a principal residence as of January 1, and once approved, it renews automatically each year without requiring reapplication.

What happens at a Board of Review hearing in Adams County?

At an Adams County Board of Review hearing, you will present your case to the three-member Board (John Johnson, Ron Gaus, and Linda Snider) explaining why you believe your assessment is incorrect. You'll present your evidence including comparable sales data, photographs, appraisals, or documentation of assessment errors. The township assessor may also present their evidence supporting the current assessment. Hearings are held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM during the July 10 - October 7 period at the Board of Review conference room in the courthouse. You may represent yourself or have an attorney represent you. After the hearing, the Board will issue a written decision which you can appeal to the State Property Tax Appeal Board if unsatisfied.

How is my property assessed in Adams County?

Adams County assesses residential property at 33.33% of fair market value, as required by Illinois law. Township assessors appraise properties annually based on features of the property and fair market values of comparable properties in the same area. All property is completely reassessed every four years in a quadrennial cycle. The Supervisor of Assessments reviews assessments made by township assessors and equalizes assessments across the county. For example, if your home's fair market value is $98,400, your assessed value would be approximately $32,800 (98,400 × 0.3333), resulting in about $1,584 in annual taxes at the county's 1.61% effective rate.

Can I appeal to a higher level if the Board of Review denies my appeal?

Yes, if you are dissatisfied with the Adams County Board of Review's decision, you have the right to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the written decision from the Board of Review. PTAB appeals must be filed using prescribed forms available at www.ptab.illinois.gov and postmarked within the 30-day deadline. The petition must be complete with all supporting evidence. If you remain dissatisfied after PTAB's decision, you may pursue further appeals through the circuit court system. For complex cases or high-value properties, consider consulting with a property tax attorney.

What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in Adams County?

For a successful Adams County property tax appeal, you need substantial evidence showing your assessment is incorrect or unfair. The strongest evidence includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood sold within the past year, showing properties with similar age, size, and features that sold for less than your assessed value suggests. A recent professional appraisal is also highly persuasive. Additional supporting evidence includes photographs documenting property condition, defects, or damage; repair estimates for needed work; your property record card from the assessor showing incorrect information like wrong square footage or lot size; and assessment/sales ratio studies showing your property is assessed at a higher percentage than the county median.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Adams County?

Potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Adams County vary based on the degree of overassessment. With the county's 1.61% effective tax rate and 33.33% assessment ratio, every $10,000 reduction in market value saves approximately $53 annually in property taxes. If your home is overassessed by 10% on the median value of $98,400, you could be overpaying roughly $160 per year. Statistics show about 25% of homes nationwide are overassessed by an average of $1,346 annually. Many successful appellants file every year to maintain their reduced assessments, as reassessments occur every four years in Adams County and values can creep up between general reassessment years.

Official Resources

Adams County Board of Review - Appeal Information →

Official county page detailing valid reasons for appeals, required evidence, and the step-by-step appeal process.

Adams County Supervisor of Assessments →

Access property assessment information, equalization factors, assessment change publications, and tax relief exemption applications.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level appeal board for property owners dissatisfied with county Board of Review decisions, includes appeal forms and filing instructions.

Adams County Property Tax Lookup →

Search your property by parcel number or last name to view current assessment values, tax bills, and payment information.

For state-wide appeal information including Illinois's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Illinois Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Illinois Counties

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← All Illinois property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.adamscountyil.gov/county-board/board-of-review | https://www.adamscountyil.gov/government/departments/supervisor-of-assessments/board-of-review/appeal-reasons-evidence-and-process | http://www.tax-rates.org/illinois/adams_county_property_tax | https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/ | https://www.adamscountyil.gov/government/departments/supervisor-of-assessments/tax-relief

Last verified: 2026-07-22