What the Will County Tax Assessor does

The Will County Tax Assessor is an elected county official who determines the assessed value of all real property — land and buildings — in Will County. That assessed value is the foundation for calculating your property tax bill. The assessor's office maintains property records, responds to value disputes, and conducts the reassessment process that happens every four years in Illinois.

The assessor does not set tax rates or collect taxes. Those are handled by your local taxing bodies (school districts, municipalities, park districts) and the county treasurer. The assessor's job is to estimate what your property is worth for tax purposes, and to do that consistently across the county.

If you own property in Will County, you will interact with the assessor's office when you buy or sell, when you challenge your assessed value, or when you need a copy of your property record card. Understanding what this office does and how to reach it can save you time and money.

Key Takeaways

  • The Will County Tax Assessor's office is located in Joliet and can be reached by phone, mail, or in person to discuss your property assessment.
  • You can view your property's assessed value and details online through the Will County Assessor's public search tool without needing to contact the office.
  • If you believe your assessed value is too high, you can file a formal objection called a Complaint for Review of Assessment with the Will County Board of Review, which is a separate body from the assessor.
  • Property reassessment in Will County happens every four years, and the assessor's office will mail you a notice when your property is being reassessed.
  • The assessor's office keeps records of property sales, ownership changes, and physical improvements, so notify them if you make major renovations to your home.

How to find your property's assessed value

The easiest way to look up your assessed value is through the Will County Assessor's public online search tool. You can search by address, parcel number, or owner name. This tool shows your current assessed value, the year of assessment, and basic property details like square footage and lot size. You do not need to call or visit the office to see this information.

The assessed value you see online is what the assessor believes your property is worth. This is different from your market value — what you could sell it for — and different from your tax bill. Your tax bill is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the tax rate set by your local taxing bodies.

If you cannot find your property online or have questions about what the information means, you can contact the assessor's office directly. They can explain how the value was determined and what factors went into it.

Contact information for the Will County Tax Assessor

The Will County Tax Assessor's office is located in Joliet, the county seat. The main office address is 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432. You can reach them by phone at (815) 740-4650 during business hours, Monday through Friday.

If you prefer to visit in person, the office is open to the public. Bring your property address or parcel number so staff can pull up your record quickly. If you are mailing a document or question, send it to the address above and include your property address and parcel number.

The assessor's office also maintains a website where you can find additional information about the assessment process, upcoming reassessment cycles, and links to the online search tool. Check the Will County government website for the most current phone number and hours, as these can change.

Understanding the reassessment cycle

Illinois law requires the Will County Tax Assessor to reassess all property every four years. During a reassessment year, the assessor's office reviews property records, may conduct physical inspections, and updates assessed values based on current market conditions and property changes.

When your property is scheduled for reassessment, the assessor's office will mail you a notice. This notice tells you the year of reassessment and gives you information about how to respond if you disagree with the new value. Keep this notice — you will need it if you decide to file an objection.

Reassessment does not happen to all properties in the same year. Will County is divided into districts, and each district is reassessed on a rotating schedule. You can contact the assessor's office to find out which year your property will be reassessed.

How to object to your assessed value

If you believe your assessed value is too high, you have the right to file a formal objection. The process involves filing a Complaint for Review of Assessment with the Will County Board of Review, not with the assessor's office itself. The Board of Review is an independent body that hears disputes about assessed values.

You must file your complaint within a specific time window — usually 30 days after the assessor mails the reassessment notice, or by a important date set by the Board of Review. Missing this important date means you lose your right to object that year. Check the reassessment notice or contact the Board of Review for the exact important date.

To file a complaint, you will need to provide your property address, parcel number, the assessed value you are objecting to, and the value you believe is correct. You should also explain why you think the value is wrong — for example, if comparable homes in your area sold for less, or if your property has damage or defects.

The Board of Review will review your complaint and may schedule a hearing. You can attend the hearing to present your case in person, or you can submit written evidence. If the Board agrees with you, they will lower your assessed value. If they disagree, you can appeal their decision to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, though that process has its own important date and requirements.

What to do if you make home improvements

When you add a room, finish a basement, install a new roof, or make other significant improvements to your home, the assessor's office should be notified. These improvements increase your property's value and will likely be reflected in the next reassessment. Telling the assessor about improvements now prevents surprises later.

You can report improvements by contacting the assessor's office directly. Provide your property address, a description of the work done, and the approximate date it was completed. If you have a building permit or contractor invoice, those documents help the assessor verify the improvement.

Keep in mind that reporting improvements does not automatically raise your taxes when ready — the new value takes effect at the next reassessment cycle. However, if you do not report them and the assessor discovers them during a reassessment inspection, the value increase may be larger because it covers multiple years of improvements you did not disclose.

Property record cards and public documents

The assessor's office maintains a property record card for every parcel in Will County. This card lists the property address, owner name, parcel number, assessed value, square footage, number of rooms, lot size, and other details used to determine value. You can view your property record card online through the public search tool, or you can request a copy from the office.

Property record cards are public documents. Anyone can look up any property in the county. If you notice an error on your card — for example, the square footage is listed incorrectly, or the number of bedrooms is wrong — contact the assessor's office to request a correction. Errors on the record card can lead to an inaccurate assessed value.

If you are buying property in Will County, reviewing the seller's property record card can give you useful information about what the assessor knows about the home. If the card lists features or square footage that does not match what you see during inspection, that discrepancy may affect the assessed value after you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the Will County Tax Assessor reassess property?

Illinois law requires reassessment every four years. Will County divides properties into districts on a rotating schedule, so not all properties are reassessed in the same year. Contact the assessor's office or check your reassessment notice to find out which year your property will be reassessed.

Can I look up someone else's property assessment?

Yes. Property assessments are public records. You can search any address or parcel number in Will County using the assessor's online tool. This is useful if you are buying a home and want to see what the current owner's assessed value is, or if you are comparing your assessment to similar homes in your neighborhood.

What is the difference between assessed value and market value?

Assessed value is what the tax assessor believes your property is worth for tax purposes. Market value is what your property would sell for on the open market. Assessed values are usually lower than market values because Illinois law caps assessed values at a percentage of market value. Your tax bill is based on assessed value, not market value.

Do I have to let the assessor's office inspect my property?

The assessor has the legal right to inspect properties during reassessment years. You can request advance notice, and the office will typically provide it. If you refuse access, the assessor can estimate the property's condition based on public records and comparable properties, which may result in a higher assessed value.

What happens if I disagree with the Board of Review's decision?

You can appeal the Board of Review's decision to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. This is a state-level body that hears property tax disputes. You must file an appeal within 30 days of the Board of Review's decision. The appeal process has specific forms and important date, so contact the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board for instructions.