The Certificate of Error Refund Application is the form the Cook County Treasurer's Office uses to pay a refund after a Certificate of Error has been issued on a Property Index Number (PIN). It is one of the Cook County property tax forms, and it asks for the PIN, the certificate numbers, the address where the refund check should be mailed and your signed certification. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Treasurer's Office receives it only through the channels described below.
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What is Certificate of Error Refund Application – Cook County, IL?
The Certificate of Error Refund Application is the Cook County Treasurer's form for requesting a property tax refund after a Certificate of Error has been issued and certified by the Assessor's Office for an over assessment on a Property Index Number (PIN).
The Cook County Treasurer's Office, headed by Treasurer Maria Pappas, issues the form. It does not create the Certificate of Error; it is the step that asks the Treasurer to pay the refund tied to a certificate that already exists. The first step of the form identifies the PIN, Volume, Tax Year, CR/JR Number and Certificate of Error Number. The second step says where the refund check will be mailed. A certification, signed under penalty of law, states that you are legally and equitably entitled to the refund, that you have not already received all or part of it, and that you will indemnify and hold the Treasurer's Office harmless from adverse claims if you are not entitled.
The third step is proof of payment. The Treasurer explains that taxes on a PIN may have been paid by various parties, so refunds can go to the current owner, a past owner or a third party. Proof of payment is required so that refunds go only to those who paid the taxes.
The Treasurer's website also offers an electronic version of the application, and the PDF can be submitted by mail or in person. The form has an "For Office Use Only" block that the applicant leaves blank.
Who needs to file Certificate of Error Refund Application – Cook County, IL?
Anyone who paid property taxes on a PIN for which a Certificate of Error has been issued and certified by the Assessor's Office, and who is legally and equitably entitled to the resulting refund, uses this application.
The Treasurer's Office notes that refunds can go to different people depending on the circumstances:
- the current owner of the property;
- a past owner who paid the taxes for the year in question;
- a third party, such as a mortgage company or title company, that submitted the payment.
The form asks you to certify that you have not previously received all or any part of a refund from the Cook County Treasurer's Office or any other party for the same year, PIN and reason. If you already received that refund, the certification does not fit your situation. If you are not entitled to the refund, the certification obliges you to indemnify the Treasurer's Office against adverse claims, including costs and attorney's fees.
The form does not say who may sign for an applicant. The signature line is for the person claiming the refund, who also supplies the name and address the check will be mailed to.
When to file Certificate of Error Refund Application – Cook County, IL
Submit the application once a Certificate of Error has been issued and certified by the Assessor's Office on your PIN, because the form asks for the Certificate of Error Number and the CR/JR Number. The form and the Treasurer's web page do not print a separate filing deadline or a processing time.
Gather your proof of payment before you send it. The Treasurer states that incomplete applications, or those with insufficient proof of payment, may be returned, so waiting until the proof is complete avoids a delay. For questions about timing or the status of a refund, call the Treasurer's Office at (312) 443-5100 or use www.cookcountytreasurer.com.
Documents you need
- Copy of the front of the canceled check(s) used to pay the 2nd Installment for the tax year, if you paid by personal or business check.
- If the refund is more than the 2nd Installment amount paid: a copy of the front of the canceled checks used to pay both the 1st and 2nd Installments.
- Photocopy of your teller receipt for the tax year, if you paid by cash.
- Photocopy of the customer receipt, or the front of the check or money order, for the tax year and installment(s), if you paid by cashier's check or money order.
- A copy of the monthly bank statement showing the check number and amount, only if you cannot locate the canceled check(s).
- Bank statement showing the successful transfer of funds to the Treasurer's Office for the tax year and installment(s), if you paid online at www.cookcountytreasurer.com.
- If a mortgage company, bank or title company paid: a statement or letter with the PIN, taxpayer's name, taxpayer's address, amount(s) paid and date(s) of payment(s).
- A copy of the correct calendar-year IRS Form 1098, as a shortcut for proof of a mortgage company payment (2020 taxes were due in 2021, so the 2021 Form 1098 applies in most cases).
- If one check paid multiple parcels: for each refund requested, a list of the PINs paid with that check, plus a copy of the front of the check for the installment(s).
How to fill out Certificate of Error Refund Application – Cook County, IL
Enter the property information
In Step 1, write the Property Index Number (PIN), the Volume and the Tax Year of the refund you are requesting.
Enter the certificate numbers
Still in Step 1, enter the CR/JR Number and the Certificate of Error Number that refer to the certificate issued on your PIN.
Name who receives the check
In Step 2, enter the Taxpayer Name and, if the check should go through someone else, the In care of line.
Enter address and contact details
Enter the Address and City/State/Zip where the refund check will be mailed, plus your Daytime Phone and Email.
Read the certification
Read the statement that you are legally and equitably entitled to the refund, have not already received any part of it and will indemnify the Treasurer's Office if you are not entitled.
Sign and date the form
Sign on the Signature line and enter the Date. Leave the "For Office Use Only" block blank.
Gather your proof of payment
Step 3 asks for all available proof of payment: canceled checks, teller or customer receipts, bank statements, or a mortgage company letter or IRS Form 1098, depending on how the taxes were paid.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the PIN, Tax Year and certificate numbers match your Certificate of Error. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble it with your proof of payment as described under How to submit.
How to submit Certificate of Error Refund Application – Cook County, IL
The Treasurer's Office accepts the application by mail, in person, or through its electronic form on its website.
- By mail: send the completed application, with proof of payment attached, to Cook County Treasurer, Refund Department, 118 N. Clark Street – Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602.
- In person: the Treasurer's web page says the PDF form may be submitted in person. The office is listed at 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago.
- Electronically: the Treasurer offers an electronic version of the application at https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/certificateoferrorrefundform.aspx. It asks you to complete the fields, attach proof of payment and submit.
Whichever channel you use, attach all available proof of payment. Incomplete applications or those with insufficient proof of payment may be returned. For questions, call (312) 443-5100. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application without any proof of payment; the Treasurer states that incomplete applications or those with insufficient proof may be returned.
- Providing proof for only the 2nd Installment when the refund is more than the 2nd Installment paid; both the 1st and 2nd Installment checks are then needed.
- Sending the wrong calendar-year IRS Form 1098 as proof; for example, 2020 property taxes were due in 2021, so the 2021 Form 1098 is usually the right one.
- Submitting a mortgage company letter that omits the PIN, the taxpayer's name, address, amounts paid or dates of payment.
- Paying several parcels with one check and not listing the PINs paid with that check for each refund requested.
- Signing the certification when you have already received all or part of the refund for the same year, PIN and reason.
- Leaving the refund mailing section (Step 2) incomplete, so the Treasurer does not know where the check will be sent.
- Filling in the "For Office Use Only" block at the bottom of the form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Certificate of Error Refund Application?
It is the Cook County Treasurer's form for requesting a property tax refund after the Assessor's Office has issued and certified a Certificate of Error for an over assessment on a PIN. You enter the PIN, certificate numbers, mailing address and a signed certification.
What proof of payment do I need for a Certificate of Error refund?
It depends on how you paid: a teller receipt for cash, the front of canceled checks for check payments, a receipt or the check for a cashier's check or money order, a bank statement for online payments, or a company letter if a mortgage or title company paid.
Can I use IRS Form 1098 as proof of payment?
Yes, the Treasurer calls a copy of IRS Form 1098 a shortcut for proof of a mortgage company payment. Submit the correct calendar-year copy: 2020 property taxes were due in 2021, so the 2021 Form 1098 is usually the proof.
Where do I mail the Certificate of Error refund application?
Mail it, with proof of payment attached, to Cook County Treasurer, Refund Department, 118 N. Clark Street – Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602. For questions, call the Treasurer's Office at (312) 443-5100.
Can I fill out the Certificate of Error refund application online?
The Treasurer's website offers an electronic version of the application. Separately, you can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download it; FillingPDF is independent, does not file the application and is not connected to the Treasurer's Office.
What if I paid several parcels with one check?
For each refund requested, provide a list of the PINs paid with that check, together with a copy of the front of the check for the installment(s). The Treasurer requires this so it can match your payment to the right PIN.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
The Treasurer states that incomplete applications, or those with insufficient proof of payment, may be returned. Attach all available proof of payment and fill in every blank in Steps 1 and 2 before you send it.
Who can receive a Certificate of Error refund?
Refunds can go to the current owner, a past owner or a third party, depending on who paid the taxes on the PIN. You certify on the form that you are legally and equitably entitled to the refund and have not already received it.
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