Case Study: How We Helped Clients Win Their Property Tax Appeals

Real Examples of Residential and Commercial Success from Aaron Fox Law

At Aaron Fox Law, we’ve worked with countless property owners in Cook County to successfully appeal their property tax assessments. Whether it’s a small home or a large income-producing property, every case requires precision, evidence, and a deep understanding of how the Assessor and Board of Review operate.

Below are two anonymized examples—one residential, one commercial—that highlight how we help clients reduce their property tax burdens.

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Residential Case Study: 800 Square Feet of Error

The Situation
Our client, a homeowner in Cook County, was shocked by the property tax bill they received. Upon reviewing the Assessor’s data, we discovered the square footage was overstated by approximately 800 square feet—a significant error that inflated the assessed value of the home.

What We Did
We began by submitting documentation to the Assessor proving the actual square footage. The Assessor accepted our updated measurement and even used four out of five of the comparable properties (comps) we submitted in their revised analysis. However, surprisingly, they did not change the assessed value of the property.

The Appeal
Not satisfied with the outcome, we filed an appeal with the Cook County Board of Review. There, we submitted the same comps and square footage evidence, making the case that the assessment was inconsistent with the data—even using the Assessor’s own comps.

The Outcome
The Board of Review agreed with our position and significantly reduced the property’s assessed value, resulting in substantial property tax savings for the homeowner.

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Commercial Case Study: Income Tells the Real Story

The Situation
A local business owner came to us about their mixed-use commercial property located in Chicago. The property included several retail units. Their assessment was far higher than anticipated, and they were unsure how to prove its value was less.

What We Did
In commercial property appeals, there are two main approaches: appraisal-based and income-based. While we often recommend hiring a professional appraiser, in this case the client opted for an income approach to save on costs.

We gathered:

• Profit and loss statements
  
• Rent rolls
  
• Lease agreements
  
• Operating expenses
  
• Vacancy history
  

This gave us a full financial profile of the property, which we used to perform an income capitalization analysis that showed the property’s true market value was considerably lower than the Assessor had estimated.

The Appeal
We submitted the income analysis with a detailed narrative explaining why the Assessor’s valuation methodology overstated the property’s worth. We also included a letter outlining market rental rates and operating expenses for similar properties.

The Outcome
Based on our financial evidence and argument, the Board of Review agreed to lower the property’s assessment, resulting in thousands of dollars in annual savings for our client.

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Why These Cases Matter

These examples show that success in property tax appeals hinges on three things:

• Accurate data (like square footage or financial records)
  
• Strategic evidence gathering
  
• A deep understanding of Cook County’s appeal process
  

Even when the Assessor agrees with your data, that doesn’t always mean your assessment will go down. That’s why persistence and expertise are critical—especially when going before the Board of Review.

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Think You’re Overpaying? Let’s Talk.

If your property assessment feels too high or you’ve found discrepancies in your file, Aaron Fox Law can help. Whether it’s a residential home or an income-producing commercial property, we know how to present your case effectively and fight for a fair assessment.

Working with an experienced Cook County property taxes Attorney can make all the difference when navigating this complex process. Contact us today to discuss your options and see how much you could save.