This week, property owners in DuPage County will begin receiving their 2011 property tax bills. As reported by the DuPage County Clerk last month, property owners can expect to see the average tax bill increase by 2.53%. “This has been another difficult year for property owners in DuPage County. For the second year in a row, the total assessed value of real estate property in the County has decreased,” according to DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry. “The decrease in 2011 was 6.6% compared to a 5.9% decrease in 2010,” she added. “I suspect that many, if not all taxpayers, will be asking how their tax bills can increase in this economy when home and property values have decreased,” Henry said. “The answer is that taxes are calculated by the County Clerk based on a complex set of formulas established by Illinois state law. The amount of funds requested by your taxing districts determines the amount of property tax you will pay. The total tax requested by all DuPage County taxing bodies for the 2011 tax year was nearly $2.5 billion. The tax bill will show the tax rate for each taxpayer’s jurisdiction,” she added. “Simply stated, the total amount of funds requested by the taxing bodies has not decreased. Therefore, property taxes will not decrease,” Henry said. Additionally, it is important to understand that the assessed value the Township Assessors are required to utilize is based on a formula that is built upon property sales that occurred during the three previous calendar years. Therefore, the 2011 assessed value incorporates property sales that took place from January of 2008 through December of 2010. With this mandated 3 year average, the assessed values do not decrease as rapidly as actual property values. “While I know no one will be happy with this news, please know my office as well as the offices of the County Clerk and Township Assessors are acutely aware of the challenges taxpayers are facing. I want to assure you that we will continue to do our best to serve you during these difficult times,” said Henry. “In that vein, I want taxpayers to be aware that included with their bill is a guide containing valuable information to know as you prepare to pay property taxes for the 2011 tax year. The guide provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning your property tax bill. It also offers information on a variety of options for paying your tax bill as well as important contact information and a tax year calendar of events,” Henry added. “Additionally, I want to encourage everyone, especially seniors, to carefully check your bill to ensure you are receiving every appropriate property tax exemption,” she concluded. Anyone with concerns or requiring any assistance is encouraged to contact the DuPage County Treasurer’s office at 630.407.5900 or online at treasurer.dupageco.org.