AppealDesk

Lake County Property Tax Appeal — Indiana

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Lake County, Indiana, with its county seat in Crown Point, is home to approximately 507,683 residents, making it the second-most populous county in Indiana. The county encompasses major cities including Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, and 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 of $2,400 but among the highest in Indiana.

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

Median Home

$135,400

Tax Rate

1.37%

Annual Tax

$1,852

Population

507,683

2026 Appeal Deadline: June 16

The deadline to appeal property tax assessments in Lake County is June 16th of each year

Property in Lake County, Indiana — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Lake County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Lake County Assessor

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: Spring

In Indiana, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the market value. 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.

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Step 1: Discuss your assessment value with your township assessor's office to resolve concerns informally

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Step 2: Gather evidence including comparable property sales, photographs, repair estimates, or appraisals

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Step 3: Complete Form 130 (Petition to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) before June 16th deadline

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Step 4: Submit your appeal with supporting evidence to the Lake County Assessor via mail, email, or in-person

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Step 5: Attend the PTABOA hearing in person, by telephone, or submit case materials for review

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Step 6: If denied by PTABOA, appeal to the Indiana Board of Tax Review within 30 days

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Step 7: If still unsatisfied, seek review by the Indiana Tax Court

Required form: Form 130

Filing Methods

mail:Lake County Assessor, Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307
email:assessor@https://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 salesProfessional appraisalsPhotographs of property conditionRepair estimatesProperty record card errors

Lake County Assessor Contact

Lake County Assessor

Phone: (219) 755-3100

Address: Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307

Website: https://lakecountyin.gov/departments/assessor

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

Tax Exemptions in Lake County

Homestead Standard Deduction

$48,000

Reduces assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Must own and occupy property as primary residence as of January 1Deadline: Must be filed by December 31 of the year preceding the year for which the deduction is sought

Supplemental Homestead Deduction

35% of the assessed value (up to $3,000 maximum deduction)

Additional deduction for qualified homeowners

Eligibility: Must qualify for standard homestead deductionDeadline: Same as standard homestead deduction

Over 65 Deduction

$14,000

Property tax deduction for senior citizens

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older by December 31 of the year preceding the year for which the deduction is soughtDeadline: Must be filed by December 31

Disabled Veteran Deduction

Up to $40,000 depending on disability rating

Deduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with at least 10% service-connected disabilityDeadline: Can be filed at any time during the year

Official Resources

Lake County Assessor Website →

Official Lake County Assessor website with forms, contact information, and assessment resources

Lake County Property Search - XSoft Engage →

Search for property records, assessment values, and tax information for any property in Lake County

Indiana Department of Local Government Finance →

State resource for property tax appeal information, forms, and guidance on the appeal process

Lake County Auditor - File for Property Tax Deductions →

Apply online for homestead, senior, and other property tax deductions to reduce your tax bill

Check Your Lake County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Lake County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Lake County?
The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Lake County is June 16th each year. This is a fixed deadline that applies to all property owners in the county. You must file Form 130 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.
How do I file a property tax appeal with Lake County's PTABOA?
To file an appeal with Lake County's Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals (PTABOA), complete Form 130 and submit it to the Lake County Assessor at Building A, 2nd Floor, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. You can file by mail, email to assessor@https://lakecountyin.org, or in person. Include evidence such as comparable sales, appraisals, or photographs. The PTABOA meets monthly at 9:30am in the Lake County Training & Media Center.
What is the homestead deduction worth in Lake County?
The standard homestead deduction in Lake County reduces your assessed value by $48,000, plus an additional supplemental deduction of 35% of the assessed value (up to $3,000 maximum). For a home valued at $135,400, these deductions would reduce your taxable assessed value significantly, saving approximately $700-800 per year in property taxes. You must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1 to qualify.
What happens at a Lake County PTABOA hearing?
At a Lake County PTABOA hearing, you'll present your case for why your property assessment should be lowered. You can attend in person at the Lake County Training & Media Center, participate by telephone, or simply submit your evidence for review. Most cases based on recent purchases or professional appraisals can be resolved without appearing. The board reviews your evidence, hears from the assessor's representative, and makes a decision. You'll receive written notification of their decision by mail.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Lake County?
The amount you can save depends on how much your assessment is reduced. With Lake County's 1.37% effective tax rate, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $137 per year. For example, if your appeal reduces your home's assessed value from $150,000 to $135,000, you would save about $205 annually. Many successful appeals achieve reductions of 5-20% when supported by strong evidence like recent comparable sales or professional appraisals.
What evidence do I need for a successful Lake County property tax appeal?
For a successful appeal in Lake County, gather evidence such as recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood (within the last 6-12 months), a professional appraisal from an Indiana-licensed appraiser, photographs showing property condition issues, repair estimates from licensed contractors, or documentation of errors on your property record card. The Lake County Comparable Grid tool at https://assessor.lakecountyil.gov can help you find comparable sales. The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of a reduction.
Can I appeal my Lake County property taxes every year?
Yes, you have the right to appeal your property tax assessment every year in Lake County. Even if you appealed last year, you can file a new appeal if you believe your property is still overassessed. Each year's appeal must be filed by the June 16th deadline with current evidence. Many property owners successfully appeal multiple years when market conditions change or new comparable sales become available.

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)Hamilton County (Noblesville)Marion County (Indianapolis)
← All Indiana property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.tax-rates.org/indiana/lake_county_property_tax | https://engage.xsoftinc.com/lake | https://lakecountyin.gov/departments/assessor | https://smartasset.com/taxes/indiana-property-tax-calculator

Last verified: 2026-02-16