Owning a home in Kendall County is a dream for a lot of people, but that dream gets a bit pricey when the mail carrier drops off that blue or yellow tax bill. If you've lived in Yorkville, Oswego, or Plano for more than a minute, you know the drill. You open the envelope, look at the number, and immediately wonder if there’s a mistake.
Honestly, there usually isn't a "mistake" in the math, but there is often a misunderstanding of how the system actually works. Kendall County property taxes aren't just one big chunk of money going to the guys in the county seats. It’s a complex soup of school districts, library boards, and township funds.
Why Your Bill Feels So Random
It isn't random. It just feels that way because of the "arrears" system. In Illinois, you’re paying for last year. So, the bill you’re sweating over in 2026 is actually for the value of your home back in 2025.
The process starts with your Township Assessor. These folks look at what houses in your neighborhood sold for over the last three years. They aren't trying to guess what your house is worth today; they’re looking at a three-year average. In Kendall County, the target is 33.33% of the fair market value. If the median assessment in the county drifts away from that one-third mark, the state steps in with a "multiplier" to even things out. For the 2025 taxes (payable in 2026), that tentative multiplier was recently announced as 1.0000—basically saying the county did a decent job of hitting the target on its own.
The Math Nobody Likes
Your bill is basically:
(Assessed Value - Exemptions) x Tax Rate = Your Bill
The tax rate isn't set by the Assessor. It’s set by the "levy" from your local taxing bodies. If the school district needs $10 million and the total value of all property in that district is $100 million, the rate is 10%. Simple, but painful.
The Most Forgotten Savings: Exemptions
Most people know about the General Homestead Exemption. If you live in the house you own, you get it. In Kendall County, this usually knocks about $6,000 off your Equalized Assessed Value (EAV). It’s not much, but it’s something.
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But here is where it gets interesting.
If you’re 65 or older, you need to be all over the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption. It’s another $5,000 reduction. But wait—there's the "Senior Freeze." If your total household income is $75,000 or less (for the 2026 payable year), you can "freeze" your assessment. This doesn't mean your taxes won't go up—if the school district raises their rate, you still pay more—but it stops the value part of the equation from rising. You have to renew this every single year by September 1st. Miss that deadline, and you're paying the full freight.
Veterans and Disability Credits
There’s been a big shift recently for veterans. Under new rules like those in HB 612, if you have a service-connected disability of 70% or more, the first $250,000 of your home's EAV is exempt. For many in Kendall County, that means a property tax bill of $0. Seriously. Even if your disability rating is lower (30-69%), there are sliding scale exemptions that can save you thousands.
How to Actually Win an Appeal
Don't just walk into the Board of Review and say "my taxes are too high." They hear that all day. It won't work.
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You have to prove one of two things:
- The market value the Assessor put on your home is higher than what you could actually sell it for.
- Your home is assessed higher than similar homes in your neighborhood (lack of uniformity).
Pro tip: Get your property record card from the Assessor’s office. I’ve seen cases where a "finished basement" was listed on the card, but the basement was just bare concrete and spiders. If the data is wrong, the bill is wrong. Correcting a square footage error is the easiest way to win an appeal.
Important Dates for 2026
Mark these on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone. Kendall County usually operates on a two-installment system.
- May 2026: This is usually when the bills are mailed out. If you don't get one by mid-May, call the Treasurer's office. "I didn't get a bill" is not a legal excuse for paying late.
- June 1, 2026: (Estimated) First installment is due.
- September 1, 2026: (Estimated) Second installment is due.
- September 1st: Deadline for most senior exemption filings and assessment freeze applications.
If you miss these dates, the county adds a 1.5% penalty per month. That adds up fast. Kinda ruins your summer budget, doesn't it?
What to Do Right Now
If you're staring at a bill that looks insane, don't wait until June.
First, check your exemptions. Go to the Kendall County property tax inquiry website and look up your parcel. It will show you exactly which exemptions are applied. If you see "0" next to Homestead and you live there, you’re literally handing money to the government for no reason.
Second, look at your "comparables." Look at the three houses on your street that are most like yours. If their assessed value is $10,000 lower than yours and they have the same floor plan, you have the basis for an appeal. You usually only have a 30-day window to file an appeal once the assessment notices are published in the local paper.
Actionable Steps:
- Verify your exemptions on the Kendall County Treasurer's website immediately.
- Download your Property Record Card to check for physical errors (bath count, square footage).
- Gather evidence (recent appraisal or sales of nearby homes) if you plan to appeal during the summer window.
- Submit the Senior Freeze application by the September 1st deadline if your household income falls under the $75,000 limit.
- Set aside funds or check with your mortgage company to ensure your escrow account is prepared for any rate hikes seen in the most recent levy.