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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Fayette County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Fayette 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 location within county due to multiple taxing districts (school districts, municipalities, special districts) - base county rate plus additional levies
1st Due
Jun 1
2nd Due
Sep 1
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Fayette County, Illinois operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, county government operations, townships, and various special districts. Property taxes in Illinois are collected through a complex system where multiple taxing bodies levy taxes on the same property, with the county serving as the collection agent. The effective tax rate in Fayette County varies significantly depending on your property's location within the county, as different municipalities, school districts, and special taxing districts impose additional levies beyond the base county rate.

Illinois uses an assessment ratio of approximately 33.33% of fair market value for residential properties, and Fayette County follows the state's Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). Property owners should note that their actual tax rate depends on which taxing districts serve their specific address - properties in incorporated areas typically have higher rates due to municipal services, while rural properties may have different school district and township levies. The county reassesses properties periodically, and various tax credits are available to qualifying property owners, though most require annual application.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Due to the decentralized nature of Illinois property taxation, specific rates for the current levy year were not available in the research data. Property owners in Fayette County should contact the County Clerk's office for exact current rates. The typical structure includes:

ComponentRate RangeDescription
County GeneralVariesCounty operations, courthouse, sheriff
School DistrictsVariesLocal elementary and high school districts
TownshipVariesTownship road maintenance and services
MunicipalVariesCity/village services (if applicable)
Special DistrictsVariesFire protection, library, park districts

Note: Rates vary significantly by location within Fayette County based on which taxing districts serve each property. The total effective rate is the sum of all applicable district rates. Property owners should verify their specific rate by contacting the Fayette County Clerk or reviewing their actual tax bill, as special taxing districts create substantial variation across the county.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Fayette 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 taxes in Fayette County are additional tax assessments that occur when property undergoes significant changes during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction, major improvements, or changes in property ownership that affect assessed value. When improvements are completed, the county assessor determines the increased value and applies the current tax rate to calculate additional taxes owed for the remaining portion of the tax year.

For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in March and the county's effective tax rate is 3%, you would owe supplemental taxes on that improvement for the remaining 9 months of the tax year. The calculation would be: ($50,000 × 33.33% assessment ratio × 3% tax rate) × (9/12 months) = approximately $375 in supplemental taxes. These supplemental bills are typically issued separately from regular tax bills and have their own payment deadlines.

Example Calculation

The following examples assume a hypothetical 3% effective tax rate and application of available homeowner exemptions. Note: Actual rates vary by location within Fayette County.

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
  • Annual Tax (3% rate): $2,700
  • Monthly Escrow: $225

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
  • Annual Tax (3% rate): $5,700
  • Monthly Escrow: $475

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (33.33%): $333,333
  • Less Homeowner Exemption: -$10,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $323,333
  • Annual Tax (3% rate): $9,700
  • Monthly Escrow: $808

Important: The homeowner exemption requires annual application and reduces the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) by up to $10,000 for qualifying owner-occupied residences.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Fayette County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of property taxes. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment, then pays your property taxes directly to the county when due. The monthly escrow amount is calculated by dividing your annual tax bill by 12, often with a small cushion to account for potential increases.

Property tax bills in Fayette County are typically issued annually, with the first installment due by August 29th and the second installment due by September 29th. Lenders usually pay these installments from your escrow account before the due dates. Your lender will provide an annual escrow statement showing payments made on your behalf and any adjustments to your monthly escrow amount. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender may require an escrow shortage payment or increase your monthly payment to cover the higher amount.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Fayette County property taxes due? A: For the current tax year, the first installment is due by August 29, 2025, and the second installment is due by September 29, 2025. Taxes become delinquent after these dates.

Q: What homeowner tax credits are available and do they require application? A: The primary benefit is the homeowner exemption, which reduces your property's Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) by up to $10,000. This exemption REQUIRES ANNUAL APPLICATION and is available for owner-occupied principal residences. The filing deadline is typically in mid-December (December 16, 2024 for the current cycle).

Q: How does the homeowner exemption work? A: The homeowner exemption is actually a reduction in assessed value, not a tax credit. It reduces your property's taxable assessed value by up to $10,000, which then has the tax rate applied to it. You must file annually to maintain this exemption - it is NOT automatic.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Fayette County? A: Illinois counties typically reassess properties every four years, though the specific schedule for Fayette County should be confirmed with the County Assessor's office. You can appeal your assessment if you believe it's incorrect.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. Contact the Fayette County Treasurer's office for specific penalty rates and payment options for delinquent taxes.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Fayette County Treasurer's office to inquire about online payment options, as these services vary by county and may have associated convenience fees.

Q: Why did my tax bill change from last year? A: Property tax bills can change due to reassessment of your property's value, changes in tax rates by various taxing districts, or loss of exemptions/credits that weren't renewed through proper application.

Q: What special districts might affect my tax rate? A: Depending on your location in Fayette County, you may be subject to taxes from fire protection districts, library districts, park districts, drainage districts, or other special purpose governmental units. These vary significantly by location within the county and contribute to rate differences across the county.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
AGENDAfayettecountyga.gov
02
Real Property Information - Auditorauditor.fayettecounty21.us
03
County
Real Property Information - Treasurer - Fayette Countytreasurer.fayettecounty21.us
04
County
Fayette County Treasurerfayettecountyillinois.gov
05
publication assessment changes 2024fayettecountyillinois.gov
06
County
Supervisor of Assessments | Fayette County, Illinoisfayettecountyillinois.gov
07
Tax Doc
Property Tax Relief (Exemptions)fayettecountyillinois.gov
08
County
Sitemap | Fayette County, Illinoisfayettecountyillinois.gov
09
State
PTAX-203 Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declarationtax.illinois.gov
10
95-January-2024-SP.docxfayettecountyillinois.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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