Creating fair and accurate assessments is hard work. Township Assessors throughout Illinois are dedicated to following the statutes, IDOR guidelines, best practices, and information we learn in our educational coursework. We use the tools are our disposal to discover, list, and value. However, calculating the assessment is just part of our job.

Explaining assessments to taxpayers is crucial. It is how we demonstrate to the taxpayer that their assessment is, in fact, fair and accurate. Without an effective explanation, taxpayers are left to assume we use a dartboard to pick our numbers. Presenting assessment data in a clear and understandable way will benefit the taxpayer and us.

One way to display data is with spreadsheets. I provide taxpayers with a list of properties I consider to be comparable to theirs. The list includes basic property characteristics like style, square footage, garage size, and basement type. The current assessments are listed and the assessment per square foot is calculated.

It is important to consider how much data to include. Enough data needs to be displayed to assure the taxpayer that the properties are similar to theirs. However, including too much information will be overwhelming and confusing.

Listing the properties in order from lowest assessment per square foot to highest assessment per square foot allows the taxpayer to see where they fall in relation to comps. Are they in the low end or middle of the group? Then their assessment is in line, and therefore, equitable. If their assessment is on the higher end of the group, further explanation will be required. Perhaps they have something extra, like an outbuilding.

Being able to physically hand the taxpayer documentation makes them feel like they have accomplished something during their trip to your office. A list of comparable properties confirms the assessments are accurate. Even if they dislike their assessment, they know they have been treated fairly.