AppealDesk

Lake County Property Tax Appeal, Indiana

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 22, 2026

Lake County, Indiana, with its county seat in Crown Point, is the second-most populous county in Indiana with approximately 506,727 residents. The county encompasses major cities including Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, East Chicago, and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. With a median home value of $135,400 and an effective property tax rate of 1.37%, Lake County residents pay a median annual property tax bill of $1,852, which is significantly below the national median but among the highest in Indiana.

Notable cities: Gary, Hammond, Crown Point, Merrillville, East Chicago, Hobart, Schererville

Median Home

$135,400

Tax Rate

1.37%

Annual Tax

$1,852

Population

506,727

On the typical Lake County home, valued near $135,400 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.37%, 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: June 15, 2026 or 45 days after Form 11 notice is mailed, whichever is later

This year's appeal window has passed in most of Indiana. Order now and we re-run your numbers free when the window reopens, so your evidence is ready the day your next notice lands.

Per Indiana Code 6-1.1-15-1.1, appeals must be filed by the later of June 15 or 45 days after Form 11 (Notice of Assessment) is mailed. For the 2026 assessment year, the deadline is June 15, 2026. Missing this deadline means you cannot appeal your assessment for that tax year.

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White Indiana house surrounded by trees on a sunny day. Lake County appeal guide.

How Lake County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Lake County Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Indiana, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the market value. Indiana requires annual adjustments through trending to help keep assessments aligned with changing market conditions, with full cyclical physical inspections of 25% of parcels each year on a four-year cycle. For example, if your home's market value is $135,400, at Indiana's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $135,400, resulting in approximately $1,855 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.37%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA). Most cases can be resolved without an in-person hearing, particularly those based on recent purchases or professional appraisals. The PTABOA meets monthly at 9:30am in the Lake County Training & Media Center, Room A-099, Building A, of the Lake County Government Center at 2293 North Main Street, Crown Point.

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Step 1: Review your Form 11 (Notice of Assessment) mailed in April-May and compare your assessed value to comparable properties and recent sales in your neighborhood

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Step 2: Contact your township assessor's office for an informal discussion to resolve concerns before filing a formal appeal

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Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including comparable property sales from the previous year, professional appraisals, photographs showing property condition, repair estimates for defects, or property record card errors

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Step 4: Complete Form 130 (Petition to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) with detailed explanation of why your assessment is incorrect and submit it by June 15th deadline

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Step 5: File Form 130 with supporting documentation to the Lake County Assessor via mail, email to assessor@lakecountyin.org, or in-person at Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point

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Step 6: Attend the preliminary informal meeting with the assessing official which occurs automatically after filing

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Step 7: If not resolved informally, attend the PTABOA hearing which must occur within 180 days of filing; hearings are held monthly at 9:30am in the Lake County Training & Media Center, Room A-099

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Step 8: If denied by PTABOA, appeal to the Indiana Board of Tax Review within 45 days of receiving the PTABOA determination

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Step 9: If unsuccessful at the state level, appeal to Tax Court as a final option

Required form: Form 130 - Petition to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (State Form 53958)

Filing Methods

mail:Lake County Assessor's Office, Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307
email:assessor@lakecountyin.org
in-person:Lake County Assessor's Office, Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property sales from the previous calendar yearProfessional appraisalsPhotographs documenting property conditionRepair estimates for defects or needed improvementsProperty record card showing errors in square footage, age, or features

Lake County Assessor Contact

Lake County Assessor's Office

Website: https://engage.xsoftinc.com/lake

Online Portal: https://engage.xsoftinc.com/lake

Tax Exemptions in Lake County

Standard Homestead Deduction

$40,000 standard deduction (2026 assessment year) plus 40% of remaining assessed value as supplemental deduction

Reduces the taxable assessed value of your primary residence. Includes both the Standard Homestead Deduction and Supplemental Homestead Deduction.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence. Only one exemption per household. Property must be owned by December 31 of the year preceding the tax year.Deadline: December 31

Supplemental Homestead Tax Credit

10% of tax liability, up to a maximum of $300

Automatic 10% property tax credit applied directly to your tax bill, stacking on top of the homestead deduction.

Eligibility: Automatically applied to all homeowners who receive the standard homestead deduction. No additional application required.Deadline: Automatic - no application needed

Over 65 Tax Credit

$150 flat annual credit applied directly to property tax bill

Tax credit for senior citizens age 65 and older, replacing the former Over-65 Deduction starting in 2026.

Eligibility: Must be at least 65 years old by December 31 of the year before taxes are due. Adjusted gross income cannot exceed $60,000 (single) or $70,000 (married filing jointly). Must own and occupy property as primary residence for at least one year.Deadline: January 15

Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit

Caps annual property tax increase at 2% per year

Limits property tax increases to 2% per year for qualifying seniors, providing protection from large tax increases.

Eligibility: Must be at least 65 years old. Adjusted gross income cannot exceed $30,000 (single) or $40,000 (married filing jointly). Must have owned and occupied property as primary residence for at least one year. Cannot combine with regular Over 65 Credit.Deadline: January 15

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Deduction

$24,960 for veterans with 10% or more disability rating who served during wartime. Additional $14,000 for totally disabled veterans or those 62+ with 10% disability (if assessed value under $240,000). 100% disabled veterans receive full exemption with no assessed value cap.

Deduction from assessed value for wartime veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Eligibility: Must have served during recognized wartime period, received honorable discharge, and have service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher from VA. Surviving spouses also eligible.Deadline: December 31

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

100% exemption - no property taxes owed

Complete exemption from property taxes for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA.

Eligibility: Must have 100% service-connected disability rating from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No assessed value cap. Must have resided in Indiana for at least one year before assessment date.Deadline: December 31

Lake 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 Lake County for 2026?
The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Lake County for 2026 is June 15, 2026. According to Indiana Code 6-1.1-15-1.1, appeals must be filed by the later of June 15 or 45 days after your Form 11 (Notice of Assessment) is mailed. This is a fixed deadline that applies to all property owners in the county. You must file Form 130 (Petition to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) with the Lake County Assessor by this date, along with any supporting evidence for your appeal. Missing this deadline means you cannot appeal your assessment for that tax year and will have to wait until the following year.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Lake County online or by email?
Lake County accepts property tax appeals via email, mail, or in-person submission. To file your appeal, complete Form 130 (State Form 53958 - Petition to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) and email it along with your supporting evidence to assessor@lakecountyin.org before the June 15th deadline. You can also mail your appeal to Lake County Assessor's Office, Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307, or deliver it in person at the same address. The county's online portal at engage.xsoftinc.com/lake provides access to property records and assessment information. Make sure to keep proof of submission, especially if filing close to the deadline.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Lake County Indiana?
The Indiana homestead exemption in Lake County provides significant tax savings through multiple components. The Standard Homestead Deduction for 2026 is $40,000 off assessed value, plus the Supplemental Homestead Deduction of 40% of the remaining assessed value. Additionally, homeowners automatically receive a 10% tax credit (up to $300 maximum) applied directly to the tax bill. For a typical Lake County home assessed at $135,400, the combined homestead benefits reduce your taxable value substantially. Indiana also caps property taxes at 1% of assessed value for homestead properties through the circuit breaker provision. You must apply by December 31 through your county auditor to receive these benefits, but once approved, no annual renewal is necessary unless your circumstances change.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in Lake County?
To build a strong property tax appeal in Lake County, you need evidence proving your assessed value exceeds market value. The most compelling evidence includes comparable property sales from the previous calendar year (2025 sales for 2026 assessments) showing similar homes in your neighborhood sold for less than your assessment. Professional appraisals conducted as of January 1 of the assessment year carry significant weight. Photographs documenting property condition, deferred maintenance, or defects help support your case. Repair estimates from licensed contractors for needed work demonstrate value impacts. If your property record card contains errors (incorrect square footage, wrong number of bathrooms, inaccurate year built), provide documentation proving the correct information. Recent purchase price within 12-18 months of the assessment date is also strong evidence if it was an arm's-length transaction.
What happens at a Lake County PTABOA hearing?
After filing Form 130, you'll first have a preliminary informal meeting with the township or county assessor to discuss your concerns. If that doesn't resolve your appeal, your case moves to the Lake County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA) for a formal hearing, which must occur within 180 days of filing. The PTABOA meets monthly at 9:30am in the Lake County Training & Media Center, Room A-099, Building A, at the Lake County Government Center. At the hearing, you'll present your evidence and explain why your assessment is too high, and the assessor's office will present their position. Most cases in Lake County can actually be resolved without an in-person hearing, particularly those based on recent purchases or professional appraisals. The board will mail you a written determination after completing hearings for all properties in the township.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Lake County?
The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Lake County depends on how much your assessment is reduced. At Lake County's effective tax rate of 1.37%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves you approximately $137 per year. For example, if your home is over-assessed by $20,000 and you successfully appeal, you would save approximately $274 annually, and those savings continue every year going forward since Indiana uses trending to adjust values. Statistics show that about 25% of homes nationally are over-assessed by an average of $5,000, which would equal roughly $68.50 in annual savings in Lake County. Even a 10% over-assessment on the median Lake County home value of $135,400 (about $13,540) would cost you an extra $185 per year. The homestead exemption circuit breaker caps taxes at 1% of assessed value, which can limit savings for some properties already at the cap.
Can my property taxes increase if I file an appeal in Lake County?
Yes, Indiana law allows the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA) to adjust your assessment in either direction - up, down, or keep it the same - even if you initiated the appeal. This is different from some states that prohibit increases on taxpayer-initiated appeals. However, homeowner-initiated appeals in Indiana almost always result in either a reduction or no change, rarely an increase. To minimize risk, avoid submitting an unrealistic claimed value that's significantly below market evidence. Make sure your evidence genuinely supports your position before filing. The assessor must provide substantial evidence to justify an increase at your hearing. If you're concerned about potential increases, consult with a property tax professional who can evaluate whether your assessment truly exceeds market value before filing Form 130.
What senior citizen property tax benefits are available in Lake County Indiana?
Lake County seniors age 65 and older can access multiple property tax benefits. The Over 65 Tax Credit provides a flat $150 annual credit if your adjusted gross income is under $60,000 (single) or $70,000 (married filing jointly). The more valuable Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit caps your annual property tax increase at just 2% per year, but has stricter income limits of $30,000 (single) or $40,000 (married filing jointly). You can claim one credit or the other, but not both. Both require you to have owned and occupied the property as your primary residence for at least one year. These new credits replaced the former Over-65 Deduction starting with 2026 tax bills. Applications must be filed with the Lake County Auditor by January 15. These benefits stack on top of the standard homestead exemption that all owner-occupied properties receive.

Official Resources

Lake County Assessor's Office - Property Search & Information →

Official portal to search property records, view assessments, and access appeal forms for Lake County properties.

Indiana Department of Local Government Finance - Property Tax Appeals →

State agency providing Form 130, appeal guidance, and information about the Indiana Board of Tax Review process.

Lake County Property Tax Payment Portal →

Search and pay property tax bills online for Lake County, including viewing payment history and due dates.

Indiana Property Tax Deductions & Exemptions →

Official Indiana government resource for homestead deductions, veteran exemptions, senior benefits, and disability deductions.

For state-wide appeal information including Indiana's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Indiana 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 Indiana Counties

Allen County (Fort Wayne)Boone County (Lebanon)Clark County (Jeffersonville)DeKalb County (Auburn)Floyd County (New Albany)Fulton County (Rochester)
← All Indiana property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.tax-rates.org/indiana/lake_county_property_tax | https://engage.xsoftinc.com/lake/home/resources | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/indiana/lake | https://lakecountyin.gov/departments/assessor | https://www.in.gov/dlgf/appeals-property-tax/ | https://propertytaxrates.org/exemptions/indiana/ | https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/indiana/lake-county

Last verified: 2026-07-22