Cook County Property Tax Refund(s) (how much, attorney, refunds)

[Melody & Silence]

I received a letter from a research and recovery company claiming that I am owed a government refund of X dollars. They will pursue the refund on my behalf -- for 50% of whatever's recovered. Of course, the letter does not tell me where the refund is since I could then recover it myself.

But I was pretty sure it was a Cook County property tax overpayment, and I found a matching amount for X dollars (Tax Year 2003) on the Cook County Treasurer website for a property I owned 1997-2004. In addition, there's another refund available from Tax Year 1998 for that property -- pretty sure at least one of these is mine, but not sure how paying property tax in arrears affects whether both are mine.

Anyway, the paperwork required to secure a refund (according to https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/...orarefund.aspx) is long gone from my files ... Any experience collecting a refund this old, either on your own or through a company like the one that solicited me?

[amd555]

Originally Posted by Melody & Silence

I received a letter from a research and recovery company claiming that I am owed a government refund of X dollars. They will pursue the refund on my behalf -- for 50% of whatever's recovered. Of course, the letter does not tell me where the refund is since I could then recover it myself.

But I was pretty sure it was a Cook County property tax overpayment, and I found a matching amount for X dollars (Tax Year 2003) on the Cook County Treasurer website for a property I owned 1997-2004. In addition, there's another refund available from Tax Year 1998 for that property -- pretty sure at least one of these is mine, but not sure how paying property tax in arrears affects whether both are mine.

Anyway, the paperwork required to secure a refund (according to https://www.cookcountytreasurer.com/...orarefund.aspx) is long gone from my files ... Any experience collecting a refund this old, either on your own or through a company like the one that solicited me?

Depending on how you paid, you might ask the bank to research and get bank records to show you paid xyz check. Cook county needs proof that it was your property and that you paid the taxes.

[ez1234]

I had a few neighbors deal with this. The paperwork/process is a bit tedious but not hard. The county is a pain to deal with and you run the risk of not getting your refund back in a timely manner if you don't have all of your paperwork squared away.

The company/firm/attorney will do everything for you and have a good track record of successful refunds, but payment is half (although some companies will negotiate on payment). Depending on how much you are owed, that could be a lot.