The DuPage Difference! Why You Must Plan Your Naperville Tax Appeal NOW for 2026
It’s the second week of December, and the holiday lights are up in Naperville! If you’re a homeowner here, you likely know the assessment appeal deadlines for our area (Naperville is primarily in DuPage County) typically fall in the early Fall.
If you missed the DuPage County Board of Review deadline for the 2025 assessment (which was likely back in October), don't panic. You still have powerful options for 2026!
Today, in our "Ask Teresa" column, I’m outlining the three strategic moves you need to make right now to ensure you are fully prepared to win your appeal and stop overpaying property taxes in the next cycle.
In Naperville (DuPage County), the formal appeal process is a defined, three-level ladder. Knowing where you are determines your next step.
Level | Timing | Action Item |
Step 1: Township Assessor | Informal Review (Check year-round) | Verify Data: Contact your Naperville Township Assessor to check for clerical errors (wrong square footage, miscounted bathrooms, etc.). An easy fix here prevents years of over-taxation. |
Step 2: County Board of Review (BOR) | DEADLINE PASSED (30 days after assessment notices—typically Sept/Oct) | Wait for the Decision: If you filed an appeal this fall, wait for the BOR decision notice (usually mailed in Spring 2026). |
Step 3: State Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) | 30 days after the BOR decision is mailed. | Final Appeal: If the BOR denies your appeal, you have only 30 days to appeal to the State PTAB. This is your critical safety net! |
CRITICAL ACTION ITEM: If you appealed to the DuPage County Board of Review this past fall, mark your calendar to watch the mail closely in March/April 2026 for their decision. If it’s a denial, the 30-day clock to appeal to the State PTAB starts immediately.
For a successful appeal next year, you need undeniable proof that your home's assessed value is too high compared to your neighbors. You need to start collecting this data now.
1. The Uniformity Argument: The key to success in DuPage County is proving lack of uniformity—that homes similar to yours in size, age, and style sold for less than your home's assessed value.
2. The Best Evidence is Sold Comps: You need three to six recent sales (within the last 3 years) that are highly comparable to your home and show a lower market value. The DuPage Board of Review requires this evidence be submitted along with your appeal.
3. The Agent Advantage: Do not try to guess which sales qualify! As your real estate expert, we have access to the MLS data and know how to pull the strongest, most relevant comparable sales needed to build your appeal case.
The most common reason for over-assessment is simply incorrect information on the assessor's file, called the Property Record Card.
1. Common Errors: Incorrectly recorded square footage, wrong number of bathrooms, or misstated construction material (e.g., misidentifying vinyl siding as brick).
2. The Teresa Tactic: Pull your property record card from the DuPage County website. Physically inspect your home and compare the county's data point-by-point. If you find a material error, contact your Naperville Township Assessor's office immediately for an informal review. Correcting the official record now will prevent over-taxation for years to come.
Don't let the calendar defeat you. In Illinois real estate, smart planning in the off-season leads to big savings when it counts!
Have a question for Teresa? Submit your real estate questions on social media using #AskTeresa for a chance to be featured in our next column!
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