MARIA PAPPAS,
COOK COUNTY TREASURER
Payments
Exemptions
Refunds
Seniors
Your Tax Bill
Tax Dates
Foreign Language Brochures
Forms
About The Office
News and Video
Payments
Check Your Payment Status
Allows users to enter a 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) and view payment information.
Make an Online Payment
Instructions for using the online payment system.
Pay By Mail or In Person
How to submit a payment by mail or in person.
Pay At Chase Bank
How to submit a payment at Chase Bank.
Pay At Your Local Community Bank
How to submit a payment through the Treasurer's Community Bank Outreach Program.
Get a Copy of Your Tax Bill
How to obtain a duplicate copy of your tax bill by mail or electronically.
Returned Checks
An explanation of the returned check policy.
Information about Prior Year Property Taxes
How to obtain information on paying taxes or checking the status of taxes for a prior tax year.
Prepayment of First Installment Property Taxes
Information on the optional program for prepaying first installment tax bills. This option is most often utilized by taxpayers who travel in the winter months or who elect to prepay the first installment by December 31 for income-tax reasons. NOTE: A law passed by the Illinois Legislature in 2009 raised the first installment tax from 50% to 55% of the prior year's total tax.
If Taxes Were Sold
Information for taxpayers whose property taxes were sold at a tax sale.
Single or Multiple Payments Via ACH
The Real-Time TPA System (RTS) allows banks, mortgage companies, and title companies to pay on single or multiple Property Index Numbers (PINs) online through an ACH debit and receive an instant, official Cook County Treasurer printable e-receipt. Payments can be made on the current and previous tax year.
Multiple Payments Via Wire Transfer
The Third-Party Agent System (TPA) allows mortgage companies, banks and title companies to pay (current year) on large quantity of PINs via wire transfer.
Exemptions
Exemption History Search
Allows users to enter a 14-digit Property Index Number(s) to learn which exemptions were received, to which they may be entitled, for the last four tax years.
Homeowner Exemption
This section outlines the Homeowner's Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
This section outlines the Senior Citizen Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption
This section outlines the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
Home Improvement Exemption
This section outlines the Home Improvement Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel
This is the form to submit for members of the U.S. Armed Services who are called to active duty and are requesting a waiver of interest.
Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption
This exemption program, administered through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, reduces taxable assessments for those who were disabled as a result of their service in the U.S. Armed Services.
Refunds
Duplicate and Overpayment Refund Search
Allows users to type in their 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) to determine whether there is an overpayment refund available.
How to Apply for a Property Tax Refund
This section provides instructions on how to apply for a refund if one is available.
Uncashed Check Search
Allows users to search for uncashed checks issued by the Cook County Treasurer's Office in the regular course of its business.
Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Refunds
This section provides information on PTAB Refunds.
Estate Search
Allows visitors to view information on Estate of Heir cases.
Seniors
Exemptions
These are programs that reduce the taxable assessed value and are administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program
This program is administered by the Cook County Treasurer's Office and the Illinois Department of Revenue. It allows qualifying seniors to defer part or all of the property taxes until ownership of the property is transferred. Applications are available from late January through the March 1 deadline.
Third-Party Notification
This program is administered by the Cook County Treasurer's Office and allows homeowners of all ages to designate a relative or other trusted friend to receive a duplicate notice only in the event there is a tax delinquency.
Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption
This exemption program, administered through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, reduces taxable assessments for those who were disabled as a result of their service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Your Tax Bill
Understanding Your Bill
This section provides an interactive map of the tax bill with an explanation of each item.
Get a Copy of Your Tax Bill
How to obtain a duplicate copy of your tax bill by mail or electronically.
About Your Property Index Number (PIN)
This section provides information about the Property Index Number (PIN) and its significance in your tax and assessment records.
Updating Your Name or Address
This section provides instructions on how to update the name and address on your real estate tax bills, which also affects your assessment and exemption (tax reduction) notices.
Monitoring Your Mortgage
This section outlines the steps you should take to make sure that your mortgage company pays your taxes in full, on time and on the correct Property Index Number (PIN).
Taxing Districts' Financial Statements and Disclosures
Users may enter the name of a taxing district and download the financial statements, if any, supplied by the agency.
Sign In to Your Electronic Billing Account
This section permits property owners to opt-in to receive their original installment property tax bill electronically instead of physically by mail.
Tax Dates
Important Dates
This section outlines how the property tax schedule functions in Cook County.
Tax Year 2016 Annual Tax Sale
This section outlines the 2016 Annual Tax Sale.
Scavenger Tax Sale Background Information
This section outlines the Biennial Scavenger Sale.
Foreign Language Brochures
Foreign Language Brochures
Foreign language brochures in 24 different languages from the Cook County Treasurer's Office contain useful information for taxpayers.
Forms
Change of Name or Address
This is the form to update the name and address by mail. You must have the form notarized.
Duplicate or Overpayment Refund
This is the form to apply for a refund if there was a duplicate payment or overpayment of taxes on a Property Index Number (PIN).
Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Refund
This is the form to apply for a refund if there was a PTAB decision issued that reduced the final tax amount on a Property Index Number (PIN).
Certificate of Error Refund
This is the form to apply for a refund if there was an over assessment Certificate of Error issued and certified by the Assessor's Office on a Property Index Number (PIN).
Third Party Notification Request
This is the form to submit if you would like a relative or other trusted friend to receive a duplicate notice of delinquency in the event you are not in town or otherwise unable to respond to such an important notice.
Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel
This is the form to submit for members of the U.S. Armed Services who are called to active duty and are requesting a waiver of interest.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
This is the form to request Cook County Treasurer's Office records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
About The Office
Duties and Responsibilities of the Cook County Treasurer
This section outlines the various duties, under state law, required of the Cook County Treasurer.
Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer's Biography
Treasurer's Biography
Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer's Resume
Treasurer's Resume
Freedom of Information Requests
This section provides information on requesting public records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
State of the Office
This section provides link to State of the Office Report, which is published annually by the Treasurer's Office.
News and Video
Search the News and Video Library
This section contains news items and videos from the Cook County Treasurer's Office.
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  • Payments
    Payments
    • Check Your Payment Status
      Allows users to enter a 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) and view payment information.
    • Make an Online Payment
      Instructions for using the online payment system.
    • Pay By Mail or In Person
      How to submit a payment by mail or in person.
    • Pay At Chase Bank
      How to submit a payment at Chase Bank.
    • Pay At Your Local Community Bank
      How to submit a payment through the Treasurer's Community Bank Outreach Program.
    • Get a Copy of Your Tax Bill
      How to obtain a duplicate copy of your tax bill by mail or electronically.
    • Returned Checks
      An explanation of the returned check policy.
    • Information about Prior Year Property Taxes
      How to obtain information on paying taxes or checking the status of taxes for a prior tax year.
    • Prepayment of First Installment Property Taxes
      Information on the optional program for prepaying first installment tax bills. This option is most often utilized by taxpayers who travel in the winter months or who elect to prepay the first installment by December 31 for income-tax reasons. NOTE: A law passed by the Illinois Legislature in 2009 raised the first installment tax from 50% to 55% of the prior year's total tax.
    • If Taxes Were Sold
      Information for taxpayers whose property taxes were sold at a tax sale.
    • Single or Multiple Payments Via ACH
      The Real-Time TPA System (RTS) allows banks, mortgage companies, and title companies to pay on single or multiple Property Index Numbers (PINs) online through an ACH debit and receive an instant, official Cook County Treasurer printable e-receipt. Payments can be made on the current and previous tax year.
    • Multiple Payments Via Wire Transfer
      The Third-Party Agent System (TPA) allows mortgage companies, banks and title companies to pay (current year) on large quantity of PINs via wire transfer.
  • Exemptions
    Exemptions
    • Exemption History Search
      Allows users to enter a 14-digit Property Index Number(s) to learn which exemptions were received, to which they may be entitled, for the last four tax years.
    • Homeowner Exemption
      This section outlines the Homeowner's Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
    • Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
      This section outlines the Senior Citizen Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
    • Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption
      This section outlines the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
    • Home Improvement Exemption
      This section outlines the Home Improvement Exemption, which is administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
    • Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel
      This is the form to submit for members of the U.S. Armed Services who are called to active duty and are requesting a waiver of interest.
    • Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption
      This exemption program, administered through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, reduces taxable assessments for those who were disabled as a result of their service in the U.S. Armed Services.
  • Refunds
    Refunds
    • Duplicate and Overpayment Refund Search
      Allows users to type in their 14-digit Property Index Number (PIN) to determine whether there is an overpayment refund available.
    • How to Apply for a Property Tax Refund
      This section provides instructions on how to apply for a refund if one is available.
    • Uncashed Check Search
      Allows users to search for uncashed checks issued by the Cook County Treasurer's Office in the regular course of its business.
    • Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Refunds
      This section provides information on PTAB Refunds.
    • Estate Search
      Allows visitors to view information on Estate of Heir cases.
  • Seniors
    Seniors
    • Exemptions
      These are programs that reduce the taxable assessed value and are administered through the Office of the Cook County Assessor.
    • The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program
      This program is administered by the Cook County Treasurer's Office and the Illinois Department of Revenue. It allows qualifying seniors to defer part or all of the property taxes until ownership of the property is transferred. Applications are available from late January through the March 1 deadline.
    • Third-Party Notification
      This program is administered by the Cook County Treasurer's Office and allows homeowners of all ages to designate a relative or other trusted friend to receive a duplicate notice only in the event there is a tax delinquency.
    • Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption
      This exemption program, administered through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, reduces taxable assessments for those who were disabled as a result of their service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Your Tax Bill
    Your Tax Bill
    • Understanding Your Bill
      This section provides an interactive map of the tax bill with an explanation of each item.
    • Get a Copy of Your Tax Bill
      How to obtain a duplicate copy of your tax bill by mail or electronically.
    • About Your Property Index Number (PIN)
      This section provides information about the Property Index Number (PIN) and its significance in your tax and assessment records.
    • Updating Your Name or Address
      This section provides instructions on how to update the name and address on your real estate tax bills, which also affects your assessment and exemption (tax reduction) notices.
    • Monitoring Your Mortgage
      This section outlines the steps you should take to make sure that your mortgage company pays your taxes in full, on time and on the correct Property Index Number (PIN).
    • Taxing Districts' Financial Statements and Disclosures
      Users may enter the name of a taxing district and download the financial statements, if any, supplied by the agency.
    • Sign In to Your Electronic Billing Account
      This section permits property owners to opt-in to receive their original installment property tax bill electronically instead of physically by mail.
  • Tax Dates
    Tax Dates
    • Important Dates
      This section outlines how the property tax schedule functions in Cook County.
    • Tax Year 2016 Annual Tax Sale
      This section outlines the 2016 Annual Tax Sale.
    • Scavenger Tax Sale Background Information
      This section outlines the Biennial Scavenger Sale.
  • Foreign Language Brochures
    Foreign Language Brochures
    • Foreign Language Brochures
      Foreign language brochures in 24 different languages from the Cook County Treasurer's Office contain useful information for taxpayers.
  • Forms
    Forms
    • Change of Name or Address
      This is the form to update the name and address by mail. You must have the form notarized.
    • Duplicate or Overpayment Refund
      This is the form to apply for a refund if there was a duplicate payment or overpayment of taxes on a Property Index Number (PIN).
    • Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Refund
      This is the form to apply for a refund if there was a PTAB decision issued that reduced the final tax amount on a Property Index Number (PIN).
    • Certificate of Error Refund
      This is the form to apply for a refund if there was an over assessment Certificate of Error issued and certified by the Assessor's Office on a Property Index Number (PIN).
    • Third Party Notification Request
      This is the form to submit if you would like a relative or other trusted friend to receive a duplicate notice of delinquency in the event you are not in town or otherwise unable to respond to such an important notice.
    • Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel
      This is the form to submit for members of the U.S. Armed Services who are called to active duty and are requesting a waiver of interest.
    • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
      This is the form to request Cook County Treasurer's Office records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
  • About The Office
    About The Office
    • Duties and Responsibilities of the Cook County Treasurer
      This section outlines the various duties, under state law, required of the Cook County Treasurer.
    • Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer's Biography
      Treasurer's Biography
    • Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer's Resume
      Treasurer's Resume
    • Freedom of Information Requests
      This section provides information on requesting public records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.
    • State of the Office
      This section provides link to State of the Office Report, which is published annually by the Treasurer's Office.
  • News and Video
    News and Video
    • Search the News and Video Library
      This section contains news items and videos from the Cook County Treasurer's Office.
About Your Property Index Number (PIN)

PIN stands for Property Index Number, and knowing your PIN is important to protecting your money and the real estate that you own.

Property taxes may be paid by current or past owners, a title company, a mortgage company, a lease-holder, a co-op, a tax buyer or a combination of parties. Unlike an account that is assigned to an individual or business, a PIN is assigned to the property. This important information is intended to help you understand the importance of your PIN.

Click here for helpful instructions on locating your PIN.

What is a PIN?
PIN stands for Property Index Number. This unique 14-digit sequence number is assigned to the legal description for each piece of real estate in Cook County, including vacant lots, parking spaces and condominium common areas. The PIN is used for assessments, tax rate calculations and tax collections.
Why is the PIN important?
A PIN is to a property what a Social Security number is to a person. If you have your name placed on a tax bill for the wrong PIN and pay that wrong PIN, the taxes on the PIN you actually own are still delinquent. For that reason, the PIN is the key to making correct payments.
How can I be sure to pay on the right PIN?
Match the PIN on the tax bill to the PIN on your deed. This is very important when you: (1) pay off a mortgage and take over tax payments, or (2) refinance with a new company. An attorney who handles your property matters, or in the suburbs, a township assessor, may be able to help verify a PIN. If your deed contains only a legal description, the County Clerk 's Office, which assigns PINs, can find the PIN.
Can a PIN ever change?
Yes. When a property is divided after being altered, each new parcel gains a new legal description and, thus, a new PIN. Taxpayers should make sure they have the proper PIN when paying taxes on a new house, townhouse, loft, condo unit, and, in some cases, parking spaces.
If my taxes are paid from my escrow, do I need to be aware of my PIN?
Absolutely. You need your PIN to verify that your mortgage company is making payment on time, in full and on the right real estate. Also, if you and other owners share a PIN, as happens with newly developed property, you need to contact our Legal Department for information on submitting a payment by legal description. "Paying by Legal" helps you avoid underpaying, overpaying or having your taxes sold if others who share your PIN are delinquent.
Do I need my PIN for any other reasons?
Yes. You need the PIN to request a duplicate tax bill from the Treasurer's Office or to call with any questions you may have about payments, assessments, appeals, exemptions and tax rates.
COOK COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE
Cook County Treasurer's Office
118 North Clark Street, Room 112
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 443-5100
Copyright © 2000 - 2018
Cook County Treasurer's Office
All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer of Liability
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COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Cook County Government
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Board of Review
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Recorder of Deeds
County Treasurer
Cook County Property Tax Portal
Payments
Check Your Payment Status
Make an Online Payment
Pay By Mail or In Person
Pay At Chase Bank
Pay At Your Local Community Bank
Get a Copy of Your Tax Bill
Returned Checks
Information about Prior Year Property Taxes
Prepayment of First Installment Property Taxes
If Taxes Were Sold
Single or Multiple Payments Via ACH
Multiple Payments Via Wire Transfer
Exemptions and Savings
Exemption History Search
Homeowner Exemption
Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Exemption
Home Improvement Exemption
Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel
Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption
Refunds
Duplicate and Overpayment Refund Search
How to Apply for a Property Tax Refund
Uncashed Check Search
Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Refunds
Estate Search
Services for Seniors
Exemptions
The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program
Third-Party Notification
Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption
Understanding Your Tax Bill
Understanding Your Bill
Get a Copy of Your Tax Bill
About Your Property Index Number (PIN)
Updating Your Name or Address
Monitoring Your Mortgage
Taxing Districts' Financial Statements and Disclosures
Sign In to Your Electronic Billing Account
Tax Dates
Important Dates
Tax Year 2016 Annual Tax Sale
Scavenger Tax Sale Background Information
Foreign Language Brochures
Foreign Language Brochures
Forms
Change of Name or Address
Duplicate or Overpayment Refund
Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) Refund
Certificate of Error Refund
Third Party Notification Request
Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
About the Office
Duties and Responsibilities of the Cook County Treasurer
Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer's Biography
Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer's Resume
Freedom of Information Requests
State of the Office
News and Video
Search the News and Video Library
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