How Do I Get a Calculation for Forfeited or Open Taxes in Cook County?

The Clerk's brochure defines a forfeited tax as a tax offered at an annual tax sale that was not sold. It explains that interested investors may later purchase these taxes over the counter. A forfeiture is therefore not a reason to ignore the balance.

Open taxes are delinquent or unpaid taxes from a prior year that were neither sold nor forfeited at an annual sale. The brochure says these are usually taxes withheld from the sale because of a pending action, such as a Certificate of Error. That explanation does not mean every open item is an exemption or error; ask the Clerk about the specific parcel.

Sold, forfeited, and open taxes call for different records. If you are not sure which status applies to a particular year, ask the Clerk to identify it before ordering a bill or choosing a payment procedure.

For forfeited taxes, request an Estimate of the Cost of Redemption for Forfeited Taxes. For open taxes, request an Open Item Bill. The Clerk's Forfeited or Open Taxes page says property owners may request a calculation of the amount needed to satisfy these taxes.

You can use the official Cost of Redemption or Other Delinquent Tax Bills Order Form or send a letter requesting the appropriate document. The form lists separate choices for redemption estimates, forfeited-tax bills, and open-item bills. Match the selection to what the Clerk confirms is on the parcel's record.

If a property's taxes have already been sold to a buyer, see what to do after taxes have been sold and the sold-tax redemption estimate guide. Do not treat all prior-year balances as interchangeable.

The Clerk allows you to request the calculation in person at the downtown office or submit a written request that one be mailed to you. Include the Property Index Number and required fee. The official form provides fields for the requested tax years and your name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

For a mailed request, the Forfeited or Open Taxes page specifically asks for a daytime telephone number in case more information is needed. A complete mailing address is needed for the requested document to be sent to you.

The published fee is $10 for one year of delinquency for each PIN and $3 for each additional year. If you are uncertain about the amount, document, or years, the page says to call (312) 603-5645. Check the current official form before sending the request.

Cook County Clerk's Office, Real Estate & Tax Services Division, 118 N. Clark Street, Room 434, Chicago, IL 60602. Published office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; check the official site for closures before visiting.

Compare the PIN and requested tax years with your records when the calculation arrives. Confirm with the Clerk what the bill covers and what further steps are needed to pay that particular balance. Do not mistake a document-order fee for the taxes due.

The Forfeited or Open Taxes page describes ordering calculations, not a universal payment procedure for every open or forfeited balance. Ask the Clerk where to send the actual tax payment and what payment type and documents apply to your record.

If you need evidence of an earlier payment rather than a balance calculation, request the appropriate certificate. See how to order proof of tax payment; a certificate of prior payment is not a substitute for an unpaid-tax calculation.

For tax redemption questions, call the Clerk at (312) 603-5645 or email tax.redemption@cookcountyil.gov. This website is an independent educational resource, not the Cook County Clerk. Our property-sale contact form does not order county documents, submit a redemption payment, or provide legal advice.

Keep copies of your request, existing bills, notices, and payment records. If a tax sale, legal notice, ownership dispute, or approaching deadline is involved, get advice from a qualified Illinois attorney. The Clerk's brochure says its office and the Treasurer cannot provide legal advice.