St. Clair County Property Tax Appeal, Illinois

Travis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

St. Clair County is located in southwestern Illinois, directly east of St. Louis, Missouri, as part of the Metro East region. With a population of approximately 257,400 as of the 2020 census, it is the ninth most populous county in Illinois. The county's median home value of $122,400 is below the Illinois state median of $239,000, yet property tax appeals are particularly important here because the effective tax rate of 1.87% to 2.51% (depending on the source) results in a median annual tax bill of $2,291 to $2,978, which is above the national median of $2,400. The county has approximately 150,000 diverse parcels of land, making assessment accuracy a critical concern for homeowners seeking to avoid overpayment.

Notable cities: Belleville, East St. Louis, O'Fallon, Collinsville, Swansea

Median Home

$122,400

Tax Rate

1.87%

Annual Tax

$2,291

Population

257,400

On the typical St. Clair County home, valued near $122,400 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.87%, 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: 30 days from the date assessment notices are published or mailed

Appeals to the St. Clair County Board of Review must be filed within 30 days after the St. Clair County Assessor publishes revised assessments. Assessment notices are typically mailed in the spring (April-May), and the Board of Review begins accepting appeals shortly thereafter, usually in May or June each year. The exact deadline depends on when your specific assessment notice is published, so it's critical to file promptly upon receiving your notice.

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Aerial view of an Illinois residential neighborhood. St. Clair County appeal guide.

How St. Clair County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: St. Clair County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In St. Clair County, property taxes are based on the assessed value, which is calculated at 33.33% of the property's fair market value as mandated by Illinois law. For example, if your home's market value is $122,400 (the county median), your assessed value would be $40,800 ($122,400 × 0.3333). At the county's effective tax rate of 1.87%, this would result in approximately $2,291 in annual property taxes before exemptions. This assessment ratio is uniform across Illinois for residential properties.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The St. Clair County Board of Review conducts hearings in an informal setting where you present your evidence to the three elected board members. You should bring comparable sales data, photographs, and documentation supporting your position. The Board will review your case and issue a written decision, which typically takes several weeks to months to process.

Step 1: Review your assessment notice when it arrives in spring (typically April-May). Check your property record card maintained by the St. Clair County Assessor for accuracy regarding your property's characteristics, square footage, and condition.

Step 2: Verify you are receiving all exemptions for which you qualify, including the General Homestead Exemption (up to $6,000), Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption ($5,000), and any other applicable exemptions.

Step 3: Contact the St. Clair County Assessor's office at 618-825-2704 to review your property record card and attempt an informal resolution. Many assessment issues can be resolved at this stage without a formal appeal.

Step 4: If the informal review doesn't resolve your concern, obtain a Board of Review appeal form by calling 618-825-2490 or visiting the office at 10 Public Square in Belleville. Complete the form with your current assessment, proposed assessment, and detailed justification.

Step 5: Submit your completed appeal form in person or by mail to the Board of Review within 30 days of your assessment notice publication date, along with supporting evidence such as comparable sales data, photographs, and repair estimates.

Step 6: Attend the Board of Review hearing where you present your evidence to the three elected board members. The Board will review your case and issue a written decision, which typically takes several weeks to months to process.

Step 7: If dissatisfied with the Board of Review's decision, you may appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the Board's written decision.

Step 8: As a final option, if the PTAB decision is unfavorable, you may appeal to the Circuit Court, though this requires formal legal proceedings.

Required form: Board of Review Appeal Form (available by calling 618-825-2490 or visiting the office)

Filing Methods

in-person:10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220

mail:St. Clair County Board of Review, 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales from the prior three yearsRecent photographs of the property showing conditionRepair estimates or documentation of damageIndependent appraisal (if available)Property record card with corrections noted

St. Clair County Assessor Contact

St. Clair County Assessor's Office

Phone: 618-825-2704

Address: 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220

Website: https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/assessor

Online Portal: https://stclairil.devnetwedge.com/

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

Tax Exemptions in St. Clair County

General Homestead Exemption

Up to $6,000 reduction in equalized assessed value

Reduces the equalized assessed value of owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Property must be owner-occupied and used as the primary residenceDeadline: One-time application required; contact Assessor's office

Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in assessed value

Provides additional property tax relief for seniors

Eligibility: Available for a residence owned and occupied by a person 65 or older during the tax yearDeadline: Initial application required; no renewal needed after initial application

Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze

Assessment frozen at base year value

Freezes the property assessment at its value in the year prior to the initial application

Eligibility: Owner-occupied property, 65 or older in assessment year, annual household income less than $75,000 (for 2026)Deadline: Annual application required with the Assessor's office

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

$2,500 for 30-49% disability; $5,000 for 50-69% disability; 100% exemption for 70% or higher disability rating

Provides substantial property tax relief for disabled veterans

Eligibility: Must be an Illinois resident veteran with service-connected disability certified by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, own and occupy property as primary residence with at least 30% service-connected disabilityDeadline: Annual application required with certification from VA

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in equalized assessed value for two consecutive years

One-time exemption for veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict

Eligibility: Must be a veteran returning from active duty in armed conflict, own and occupy property as primary residence, and be liable for property taxesDeadline: Apply upon return from active duty during the assessment year the veteran returns and the following year

Homestead Improvement Exemption

Exemption on increased assessed value from improvements for four years

Four-year exemption on the increase in assessed value due to improvements

Eligibility: Owner-occupied property with qualifying improvementsDeadline: Apply once for each improvement project with the Board of Review

St. Clair 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 St. Clair County for 2026?

You must file your property tax appeal with the St. Clair County Board of Review within 30 days from the date the Assessor publishes the revised assessments. Assessment notices are typically mailed in the spring, usually between April and May, with the Board of Review beginning to accept appeals in May or June 2026. The exact deadline depends on when your specific assessment notice is published, so it's critical to file promptly upon receiving your notice. Missing this 30-day window means you'll have to wait until the next assessment year to appeal, potentially costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the interim.

How do I file a property tax appeal with the St. Clair County Board of Review?

To file an appeal in St. Clair County, first contact the Assessor's office at 618-825-2704 to review your property record card and attempt an informal resolution, as many issues can be resolved at this stage. If that doesn't resolve your concern, obtain a Board of Review appeal form by calling 618-825-2490 or visiting the office at 10 Public Square in Belleville. Complete the form with your current assessment, proposed assessment, and detailed justification explaining why your property is overassessed. Submit the completed form in person or by mail to the Board of Review within 30 days of your assessment notice publication date, along with supporting evidence such as comparable sales from similar properties, photographs showing your property's condition, and any repair estimates or documentation of damage.

What is the homestead exemption worth in St. Clair County?

The General Homestead Exemption in St. Clair County reduces your equalized assessed value by up to $6,000, which translates to annual tax savings of approximately $112 to $153 depending on your local tax rate. For seniors age 65 or older, there's an additional Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption worth $5,000 in assessed value reduction, providing roughly $94 to $127 in additional annual savings. These exemptions stack, meaning a senior homeowner could save $200 to $280 per year by claiming both exemptions. The General Homestead Exemption requires only a one-time application with the Assessor's office, while the Senior Citizen exemption also requires only an initial application without annual renewal after the first year.

What happens at a St. Clair County Board of Review hearing?

At a St. Clair County Board of Review hearing, you will present your case to the three elected board members in an informal setting. You should bring all supporting evidence including comparable sales data from similar properties that sold in the prior three years, photographs of your property showing its condition, and documentation such as repair estimates or previous appraisals. The board members will review your evidence, may ask questions about your property, and consider whether your assessment is accurate compared to similar properties in your area. After the hearing, the Board will issue a written decision which typically takes several weeks to months to process. If you disagree with the Board's decision, you have the right to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) within 30 days of receiving the written decision.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in St. Clair County?

The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in St. Clair County depends on the degree of overassessment. On the typical St. Clair County home valued near $122,400 at the county's effective tax rate of 1.87%, an over-assessment of just 10% means you are overpaying approximately $229 per year. If your home is overassessed by 20%, you could be overpaying $458 annually, which adds up to $4,580 over a decade. For higher-valued homes or larger assessment errors, the savings can be substantially greater. Before filing an appeal, it's important to research comparable sales in your neighborhood to determine if your assessment is truly too high compared to similar properties that have sold recently.

What evidence do I need for a St. Clair County property tax appeal?

The strongest evidence for a St. Clair County property tax appeal includes recent comparable sales of similar homes in your neighborhood that sold within the prior three years, as Illinois law requires assessors to consider sale figures from this period. You should gather at least three to five comparable properties of similar size, age, condition, and location that demonstrate your home's market value is lower than your assessed value suggests. Additionally, bring clear photographs of your property showing any defects, damage, or conditions that negatively impact value, such as needed repairs, outdated features, or functional obsolescence. Other helpful evidence includes recent professional appraisals, repair estimates from licensed contractors for needed work, and a copy of your property record card from the Assessor's office with any factual errors highlighted.

Can I file my St. Clair County property tax appeal online in 2026?

Currently, St. Clair County does not offer a fully online appeal filing system for the Board of Review. You must file your appeal either in person at the Board of Review office located at 10 Public Square in Belleville, or by mailing your completed appeal form and supporting documentation to that address. However, you can access property information and look up your assessment online at https://stclairil.devnetwedge.com/ to research your property and comparable sales before filing your appeal. For questions about the appeal process or to request forms, call the Board of Review at 618-825-2490 or the main county switchboard at 618-277-6600. While the filing itself isn't online, you can prepare much of your research and evidence gathering using online property databases.

What if I disagree with the St. Clair County Board of Review decision on my appeal?

If you're not satisfied with the 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 Board's written decision. The PTAB is a state-level quasi-judicial body that provides an unbiased forum for taxpayers dissatisfied with county-level assessment decisions. You can file your PTAB appeal using forms available on their website at www.ptab.illinois.gov, and the PTAB now offers an electronic filing system. If you remain dissatisfied after the PTAB decision, you may further appeal to the Circuit Court, though this final level requires formal legal proceedings and may benefit from attorney representation. Each level of appeal must be filed within the strict 30-day deadline or you'll lose your right to further contest the assessment.

Official Resources

St. Clair County Assessor's Office →

Official county assessor website with exemption forms, property record cards, and assessment information.

St. Clair County Property Tax Inquiry →

Online property search tool to look up your assessment, tax history, and compare property values.

St. Clair County Board of Review →

Board of Review information including appeal forms, hearing schedules, and filing instructions.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level appeal board for property assessment disputes with online filing system and appeal forms.

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.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/assessor | https://www.co.st-clair.il.us/departments/board-of-review | https://www.tax-rates.org/illinois/st._clair_county_property_tax | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/illinois/st-clair | https://www.ptab.illinois.gov/

Last verified: 2026-07-22