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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Effingham County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Effingham County, IL. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by district, typically 2.27% base rate plus local district additions
1st Due
Jun 1
2nd Due
Sep 1
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Effingham County, Illinois operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, municipal services, county operations, and special districts. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these local governments and are calculated based on the assessed value of real estate within the county. The county follows Illinois state law, including the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), which governs how tax levies can increase annually.

Effective property tax rates in Effingham County vary significantly by location within the county due to overlapping taxing districts such as school districts, municipalities, fire protection districts, and library districts. While Illinois has a statewide average effective rate of approximately 2.27%, actual rates in Effingham County depend on which combination of taxing districts serve your specific property. The county uses a fractional assessment system where residential property is assessed at approximately 33.33% of fair market value.

Property owners should note that tax rates and assessments are determined annually, with the assessment year differing from the tax payment year. Most property tax credits and exemptions require annual application and are not automatically applied to your tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentApproximate Rate RangeDescription
County General0.3% - 0.5%County operations, sheriff, courts, health services
School Districts4.0% - 6.5%Elementary and high school districts (varies by district)
Municipal0.5% - 1.2%City/village services (applies only within municipal boundaries)
Township0.1% - 0.3%Township road maintenance and services
Library District0.2% - 0.4%Public library operations
Fire Protection0.3% - 0.8%Fire and emergency services
Mental Health0.1% - 0.2%Mental health board services

Note: These rates are estimates for planning purposes and apply to Levy Year 2024 (payable 2025). Actual combined rates typically range from 5.5% to 9.5% of assessed value depending on your property's location and which taxing districts serve it. Contact the Effingham County Supervisor of Assessments for your specific tax rate breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Effingham County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Jun 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Sep 1
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes in Effingham County are additional tax bills issued when there are changes to a property's assessment or ownership during the tax year. Common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase value, ownership transfers that trigger reassessment, or corrections to the original assessment.

The supplemental tax is calculated by determining the difference between the original assessed value and the new assessed value, then applying the appropriate tax rate to that difference. The tax is prorated based on how many months remain in the tax year after the change occurs. For example, if a $50,000 home addition is completed in March and increases the assessed value by $16,650 (33.33% of market value), and your combined tax rate is 7%, the supplemental tax would be approximately $1,165 prorated for the remaining 10 months of the tax year.

Property owners typically receive supplemental tax bills 30-60 days after the change is processed by the Assessor's office. These bills are separate from regular property tax installments and have their own due dates, usually 30 days from the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (33.33%): $100,000
  • Less Homeowner Exemption: -$10,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $90,000
  • Tax Rate (estimated 6.5%): × 0.065
  • Annual Tax: $5,850 | Monthly Escrow: $488

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (33.33%): $200,000
  • Less Homeowner Exemption: -$10,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $190,000
  • Tax Rate (estimated 7.2%): × 0.072
  • Annual Tax: $13,680 | Monthly Escrow: $1,140

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (33.33%): $333,300
  • Less Homeowner Exemption: -$10,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $323,300
  • Tax Rate (estimated 7.8%): × 0.078
  • Annual Tax: $25,217 | Monthly Escrow: $2,101

Note: Homeowner exemption requires annual application. Tax rates vary by taxing district combination. Examples use estimated rates for illustration only.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Effingham County require property tax escrow accounts for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment and pays property taxes directly to the county on your behalf. The escrow amount is calculated by dividing your annual property tax bill by 12, often with an additional cushion to account for potential tax increases.

Effingham County property taxes for 2025 (2024 levy) are typically due with the first installment on September 5, 2025, and subsequent monthly payments due by the 15th of each month. Lenders usually pay the first installment in early September and continue with monthly payments to stay current. If you have an escrow account, you should receive an annual escrow analysis from your lender showing how your payments are applied.

Property owners with escrow accounts should verify that their lender is making timely payments to avoid late penalties. You can check payment status through the Effingham County Treasurer's office or online payment portal. If you pay taxes directly without escrow, you're responsible for making payments by the due dates to avoid penalty and interest charges.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Effingham County for 2025? A: The first installment for 2024 levy year (payable 2025) is due September 5, 2025, with subsequent monthly payments due by the 15th of each month thereafter.

Q: What is the Homeowner Exemption and how do I apply? A: The Homeowner Exemption reduces your property's Equalized Assessed Value by up to $10,000 for owner-occupied homes. This is NOT automatic - you must apply annually. The Supervisor of Assessments Office mails renewal forms in late February. New applicants can apply anytime during the tax year.

Q: Are there other tax credits available? A: Yes, Illinois offers various credits including Senior Citizen Exemption, Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze, Disabled Veterans exemption, and others. Each requires a separate application with specific eligibility requirements and deadlines. Contact the Supervisor of Assessments for applications and requirements.

Q: How often is property reassessed in Effingham County? A: Illinois law requires reassessment every four years for most properties, though the county may conduct annual reviews for properties that have changed significantly.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges that accrue monthly. The exact penalty structure is set by county ordinance - contact the County Treasurer's office for current penalty rates.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Check with the Effingham County Treasurer's office for current online payment options, as many Illinois counties now offer online payment systems for property taxes.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Effingham County Board of Review during their annual appeal period, typically in summer months. You'll need comparable sales data or other evidence supporting your valuation claim.

Q: Why did my taxes increase even though I didn't improve my property? A: Tax increases can result from rising property values, new construction in taxing districts that changes the tax base, or voter-approved levy increases by local governments such as school districts or municipalities.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
2025 Property Tax Homestead Renewalseffinghamcountyil.gov
02
Supervisor of Assessmentseffinghamcountyil.gov
03
Tax Doc
Tax Computation Reporteffinghamcountyil.gov
04
County
Effingham County Treasurer - FAQseffinghamcountyil.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax 101 and Frequently Asked Questionseffinghamcountyil.gov
06
County
Effingham County Supervisor of Assessmentseffinghamcountyil.gov
07
County
Treasurer - Effingham County, Illinoiseffinghamcountyil.gov
08
State
state of illinoiseffinghamcountyil.gov
09
State
state of illinoiseffinghamcountyil.gov
10
ROLL CALL, PLEDGE, PRAYEReffinghamcountyil.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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