AppealDesk

Will County Property Tax Appeal, Illinois

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Will County is Illinois's fourth-largest county with an estimated population of over 715,000 residents and serves as one of the five collar counties surrounding Chicago. The county seat is Joliet, the largest city with approximately 152,625 residents, while other major population centers include parts of Naperville, Plainfield, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, and New Lenox. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Will County because homeowners face a median annual tax bill of approximately $6,993, which is nearly three times the national median of $2,690. The county's effective tax rate of 2.35% significantly exceeds the national average, making careful review of assessments critical for managing housing costs in this rapidly growing suburban region south of Chicago.

Notable cities: Joliet, Naperville, Plainfield, Romeoville, Bolingbrook, New Lenox

Median Home

$298,000

Tax Rate

2.35%

Annual Tax

$6,993

Population

715,526

On the typical Will County home, valued near $298,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 2.35%, 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 assessments are published in the newspaper

Will County operates on a 30-day filing window from the publication date of assessments in the local newspaper, which typically occurs in late spring or summer. The exact deadline is printed on your assessment notice. Missing this deadline means you must wait until the next assessment cycle, so mark your calendar immediately upon receiving notice.

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

How Will County Assesses Property

33.33%of market value

Assessed by: Will County Supervisor of Assessments and Township Assessors

Assessment cycle: quadrennial

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically April-May)

Illinois law requires all property to be assessed at 33.33% of fair market value. If your home's market value is $298,000 (the median in Will County), your assessed value would be $99,340 ($298,000 × 33.33%). At Will County's effective tax rate of 2.35%, this would result in approximately $6,993 in annual property taxes. Understanding this assessment ratio is crucial because even a small overstatement of market value translates directly into higher annual tax bills.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The Board of Review conducts hearings at 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. Be prepared to present your evidence professionally, including comparable sales and photos. The hearing is your opportunity to explain why your assessment should be reduced based on overvaluation or inequity compared to similar properties.

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Step 1: Contact your township assessor first (optional but recommended). Many assessment concerns can be resolved informally at this level before filing a formal appeal. Your township assessor can explain the valuation and may make corrections if the books are still open.

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Step 2: Gather evidence to support your appeal within 30 days of publication. Collect comparable sales data from similar properties in your neighborhood that sold recently, photographs documenting property condition or defects, repair estimates for needed work, and your property's appraisal if you purchased recently.

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Step 3: File your assessment complaint with the Will County Board of Review within the 30-day deadline. Submit your completed complaint form and all supporting evidence either online through the portal at borappeals.willcountysoa.com, by mail, or in person at 302 N. Chicago Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet.

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Step 4: Attend your Board of Review hearing. You'll receive a hearing notice or waiver notification from the Board. Present your evidence clearly, focusing on comparable sales or assessment inequities. The Board holds hearings at the Supervisor of Assessments Office at 302 N. Chicago Street.

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Step 5: Receive the Board of Review's decision. If you disagree with their ruling, you have 30 days from the date the decision is mailed to file an appeal with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB). PTAB is your next level of administrative appeal before pursuing a court remedy.

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Step 6: If PTAB appeal is unsuccessful or you choose not to pursue it, you may file a judicial appeal in circuit court, though this option typically requires legal representation and involves court costs.

Required form: Assessment Complaint Form (available from Board of Review office or online portal)

Filing Methods

online:Board of Review Complaint Portal at borappeals.willcountysoa.com - requires registration with username and password
mail:Will County Board of Review, 302 N. Chicago Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet, IL 60432
in-person:Will County Board of Review office, 302 N. Chicago Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet, IL 60432, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data from similar properties in your areaRecent appraisal reports or professional valuationsPhotographs showing property condition, defects, or needed repairsRepair estimates or inspection reports documenting property issuesAssessment data from comparable properties showing unequal treatment

Will County Assessor Contact

Will County Supervisor of Assessments

Phone: (815) 740-4648

Address: 302 N. Chicago Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet, IL 60432

Website: https://www.willcountysoa.com

Online Portal: https://borappeals.willcountysoa.com/Home

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Tax Exemptions in Will County

General Homestead Exemption

$8,000 reduction in assessed value (Will County is contiguous to Cook County)

Reduces the equalized assessed value of your primary residence

Eligibility: Property owners who occupy their property as their principal residence on January 1 of the assessment year. Automatically applied for new purchases unless previously removed.Deadline: Typically applied automatically, but contact Supervisor of Assessments if not receiving

Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption

$8,000 maximum reduction in assessed value

Additional reduction in assessed value for qualifying seniors age 65 and older

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older during the assessment year and occupy the property as principal residence on January 1Deadline: File with Will County Supervisor of Assessments office

Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption

Freezes assessed value (no dollar limit)

Freezes the property's equalized assessed value at the base year level for qualifying low-income seniors

Eligibility: Age 65 or older with total household income of $75,000 or less for 2026. Must be renewed annually.Deadline: Annual renewal forms mailed by Will County Supervisor of Assessments in mid-April; submit by October 1

Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption

$2,000 reduction in assessed value

Reduces assessed value for persons with qualifying disabilities

Eligibility: Must be disabled under Federal Social Security Act and unable to participate in substantial gainful activity due to medically determinable impairment lasting 12+ months. Must occupy property as principal residence.Deadline: Annual renewal required; forms mailed in mid-April

Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities

$2,500 for 30-49% disability; $5,000 for 50-69% disability; 70%+ disability qualifies for complete property tax exemption

Reduction for honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Illinois resident who served in U.S. Armed Forces with honorable discharge and at least 30% service-connected disability certified by U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsDeadline: Annual renewal required; contact Supervisor of Assessments

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

$5,000 reduction in assessed value per year for two years

Two-year exemption for veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict

Eligibility: Veterans returning from active duty in an armed conflict. Only required to file once upon return; carries over to second year automatically.Deadline: File once upon return from active duty

Will 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 Will County?
You have 30 calendar days from the date your township's assessments are published in the newspaper to file an appeal with the Will County Board of Review. This publication typically occurs in late spring or summer, though the exact date varies by township each year. The deadline is printed on your assessment notice, and missing it means you forfeit your appeal rights for that year and must wait until the next assessment cycle. Illinois counties reject thousands of appeals annually for being one day late, so it's critical to mark your calendar immediately upon receiving your notice and file promptly with all required supporting evidence.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Will County?
With Will County's median home value of $298,000 and effective tax rate of 2.35%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed market value saves you approximately $235 per year in property taxes. For example, if your home is overassessed by $30,000, you're paying roughly $705 extra annually, that's $2,115 lost over three years. Statistics show that about 25% of homes nationally are overassessed by an average of $1,346 annually. Given Will County's higher-than-average tax rates (2.35% versus the national median of 0.92%), the savings potential from a successful appeal is even more significant here than in most other parts of the country.
What evidence do I need for a Will County property tax appeal?
The strongest evidence for your Will County appeal includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, showing that homes like yours sold for less than your assessed value. You should also provide photographs documenting property condition, defects, or deferred maintenance that your assessor may not have considered. Professional appraisals, if you have them from a recent purchase or refinancing, carry significant weight. Contractor estimates for needed repairs and inspection reports identifying structural issues also support your case. Finally, assessment data from comparable properties can demonstrate unequal treatment, if your neighbor's similar home has a much lower assessed value, that inequity is grounds for reduction.
How does the Will County Board of Review appeal process work?
After you file your complaint within 30 days of publication, the Board of Review will schedule a hearing at their office at 302 N. Chicago Street, 2nd Floor in Joliet. You'll receive either a hearing notice or waiver notification by mail. At the hearing, which typically lasts 10-20 minutes, you'll present your evidence to Board members explaining why your assessment should be reduced, either because your property is overvalued or because it's assessed inequitably compared to similar properties. The Board reviews your evidence along with the assessor's valuation and issues a written decision. If you disagree with the Board's ruling, you have 30 days from the date their decision is mailed to appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB).
What is the homestead exemption worth in Will County?
The General Homestead Exemption in Will County reduces your property's assessed value by $8,000 because Will County is contiguous to Cook County. This exemption saves you approximately $188 annually at the county's 2.35% effective tax rate. The exemption is typically applied automatically when you purchase a home and occupy it as your principal residence, though you should verify it appears on your tax bill. If you're age 65 or older, you can stack the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption on top of the general exemption for up to an additional $8,000 reduction ($188 more in savings). Low-income seniors may qualify for the Assessment Freeze exemption, which can provide even larger savings by capping your assessed value indefinitely.
Can I file a Will County property tax appeal online?
Yes, Will County offers an online Board of Review Complaint Portal at borappeals.willcountysoa.com where you can submit your appeal electronically. To use the online system, you must register for an account and create a username and password. You'll need to upload your completed complaint form along with all supporting evidence in digital format, this includes comparable sales data, photographs, appraisals, or other documentation. The portal also allows you to retrieve evidence and track your appeal status. Incomplete electronic submissions may result in your complaint being rejected, so ensure all required fields are completed and documents are attached before submitting. Alternatively, you can still file by mail or in person at 302 N. Chicago Street if you prefer.
When will I receive my Will County property assessment notice?
Will County assessment notices are typically mailed in the spring, with most notices reaching homeowners by mid-May. Each notice contains both your property's market value and assessed value (which should be 33.33% of market value), along with an estimate of your annual property tax bill. The notice also includes the critical deadline for filing an appeal, you have 30 days from the publication date printed on the notice. Will County operates on a quadrennial (four-year) reassessment cycle, meaning full reassessments occur every four years, with the most recent major reassessment completed in 2023 and the next scheduled for 2027. However, your assessed value can still change in non-reassessment years due to township equalization factors or individual property changes.
What happens if I miss the Board of Review appeal deadline in Will County?
Missing the 30-day Board of Review filing deadline is serious, Illinois counties reject thousands of appeals annually for being even one day late. If you miss the deadline, you generally cannot appeal your assessment for that tax year and must wait until the next assessment cycle to challenge your valuation. The only exceptions are if you can demonstrate you didn't receive proper notice or if there was a certificate of error situation where the assessor made a clear clerical mistake. Because Will County operates on a quadrennial reassessment cycle, missing your deadline in a reassessment year is particularly costly since that valuation carries forward for up to four years. To avoid this, file your appeal as soon as you receive your notice rather than waiting until the last minute, as processing delays or missing documentation could prevent timely filing.

Official Resources

Will County Supervisor of Assessments Official Website →

Official county website for property assessments, exemption applications, property search tools, and assessment information.

Will County Board of Review Online Appeal Portal →

Electronic portal for submitting property tax appeals, uploading evidence, and tracking your complaint status online.

Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) →

State-level appeal board for challenging Board of Review decisions, with forms, filing information, and procedures.

Illinois Department of Revenue - Property Tax Exemptions →

Comprehensive information on all Illinois property tax exemptions, eligibility requirements, and application forms from the state.

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

Adams County (Quincy)Champaign County (Champaign)Cook County (Chicago)DeKalb County (DeKalb)DuPage County (Naperville)Grundy County (Morris)
← All Illinois property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.willcountysoa.com | https://borappeals.willcountysoa.com/Home | https://www.tax-rates.org/illinois/will_county_property_tax | https://taxbycounty.com/illinois/will-county | https://foreclosuredefenselawoffice.com/article/real-estate/tax-appeal/illinois/will-county/ | https://www.icpas.org/resources/publications/insight-magazine/article-search/detail/spring-2026/there-s-a-homestead-exemption-for-that | https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/illinois/will-county

Last verified: 2026-07-24