Stephenson County property tax appeal 2027: deadline, forms and how to file
To appeal a Stephenson County assessment, file with the Stephenson County Board of Review by mail or in person; in Illinois the deadline is 30 days after the township assessment list is published (Cook County uses township filing windows). Confirm the exact date on your notice or with the assessor; we add each county's 2027 date here when it is published.
Each county publishes its assessment list or changes in a local newspaper, township by township, on or before December 31 (35 ILCS 200/12-10). Dates vary by county.
Data as of 20 Oct 2026 · Stephenson County Board of ReviewCheck your own assessment
Free. We compare the value on your notice with recent sales of similar homes nearby and tell you whether an appeal is worth filing. Have your assessment notice and tax bill handy.
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How to file in Stephenson County
- Step 1
File the appeal
Use the method your notice lists, usually Form BOR-R-1, by the deadline on the notice.
- Step 2 · before the hearing
Prepare and submit your evidence
Overvaluation must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence; a uniformity (equity) claim needs clear and convincing evidence. The strongest evidence is a recent arm’s-length purchase of your home, or an appraisal as of January 1. Otherwise use at least three comparable sales, or for equity at least three similar nearby homes with their assessments and property record cards, in a grid. Bring a photo of your home and its property record card.
- Step 3
Meet, then hear
An informal review with Township assessor or Supervisor of Assessments comes first; if you decline the offer, the Stephenson County Board of Review hears the case. Most reductions happen at the first step.
Before you file: how to read your notice · evidence that works · informal vs formal hearing · when not to appeal
Forms
| Form | Number | Use | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Complaint | BOR-R-1 | BOR complaint for residential property; file in triplicate with evidence | |
| Commercial Property Complaint | BOR-C-1 | BOR complaint for commercial property | |
| Farm Property Complaint | BOR-F-1 | BOR complaint for farm property | |
| Industrial Property Complaint | BOR-I-1 | BOR complaint for industrial property | |
| Residential Appeal (Property Tax Appeal Board) | PTAB-1A | Only after the Board of Review decides: the state appeal, due 30 days after the board’s written notice. Can also be filed online through PTAB eFile. | Fillable PDF |
Appeal levels
| Level | Who hears it | Deadline | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal review | Township assessor or Supervisor of Assessments | Before the Board of Review deadline | Free |
| Board of Review | Stephenson County Board of Review | 30 days after the assessment list is published | Free |
| Property Tax Appeal Board | Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (state) | 30 days after the Board of Review’s written decision | No filing fee |
| Court | Circuit court (administrative review), or a tax objection in Stephenson County circuit court | 35 days after the PTAB decision; tax objections follow the tax-bill penalty date | Court costs |
What evidence the board accepts
Overvaluation must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence; a uniformity (equity) claim needs clear and convincing evidence. The strongest evidence is a recent arm’s-length purchase of your home, or an appraisal as of January 1. Otherwise use at least three comparable sales, or for equity at least three similar nearby homes with their assessments and property record cards, in a grid. Bring a photo of your home and its property record card.
Stephenson County questions
When is the Stephenson County appeal deadline for 2027?
No 2027 date is published yet. The board’s rule: 2025 Board of Review rules (C.10): complaints must be filed with the Clerk of the Board on or before the 10th day of September, or on or before 30 calendar days after publication of the current-year assessment list (35 ILCS 200/16-55); the complaint form says to check the county site for each township's publication date. Mail is dated by USPS cancellation mark (metered mail also needs the USPS date stamp if it arrives after the deadline; private carriers such as FedEx/UPS are not covered); all other filings count as filed on the date received. Appraisals may be received up to 15 calendar days after the filing deadline.
How do I appeal my assessment in Stephenson County?
File the Residential Complaint with the Stephenson County Board of Review, Board of Review, 50 W. Douglas Street, Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032. Mailed complaints count as filed on the postmark date.
Should I talk to the assessor first?
Yes. The township assessor or the Stephenson County Supervisor of Assessments can fix record errors informally. Still file with the Stephenson County Board of Review by the deadline: a board complaint is required before any state appeal.
What evidence works best?
A recent arm’s-length purchase of your home or an appraisal as of January 1. Otherwise, at least three comparable sales, or three similar nearby homes with lower assessments, with property record cards and photos.
How do I contact the Stephenson County Assessment Office (Supervisor of Assessments)?
Mail: Board of Review, 50 W. Douglas Street, Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032. Phone: 815-235-8260. Hours and walk-in details: stephensoncountyil.gov.
What if the Board of Review says no?
Appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of the board’s written decision. There is no fee, and you can file online through PTAB eFile. A lowered value on an owner-occupied home carries over for the rest of the assessment period.
Check whether yours is over-assessed
Nearby counties
Carroll County · Winnebago County · Ogle County · Jo Daviess County · Boone County · Whiteside County · Lee County
- Stephenson County Board of Review
- Stephenson County Assessment Office
- Stephenson County Assessment Office Forms & Publications
- Stephenson County 2025 Board of Review Rules (PDF)
- 35 ILCS 200/16-55 — Board of Review complaints
- 35 ILCS 200/12-10 — Publication of assessments
- 35 ILCS 200/16-160 — Appeal to the Property Tax Appeal Board
- Illinois DOR — Assessment Appeals
- Property Tax Appeal Board — Filing your appeal
- Property Tax Appeal Board — FAQ
- U.S. Census Bureau, county population estimates (2024) and county gazetteer (2024).