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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Stark County
Property Tax Guide

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

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by district - base rate plus overlapping districts (schools, townships, municipalities)
1st Due
Jun 1
2nd Due
Sep 1
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Stark County, Illinois operates under the state's property tax system, which serves as the primary funding mechanism for local services including schools, townships, municipalities, fire protection districts, and library services. Property taxes in Stark County are administered by the County Clerk's office, with assessments handled by the County Assessor following Illinois Department of Revenue guidelines. The county applies an assessment level of approximately one-third of market value for residential properties, with an equalization factor that may adjust these assessments annually - for example, the county received an equalization factor of 0.9786 in recent years.

Property tax rates in Stark County vary significantly by location within the county due to the overlay of multiple special taxing districts. Homeowners may find themselves in different combinations of school districts, fire protection districts, library districts (such as the Kewanee Library District), and municipal boundaries, each adding their own levy to the total tax bill. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 2% to over 3% of market value, depending on which taxing districts serve a particular property. Illinois' Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) caps the growth of most tax extensions, though this doesn't prevent rates from fluctuating based on changes in assessed values and new construction within each district.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentApproximate Rate RangeDescription
County General0.15% - 0.25%County operations, courthouse, sheriff, health services
Township0.10% - 0.20%Township road maintenance, general assistance
School Districts1.50% - 2.50%Elementary and high school districts (varies by district)
Fire Protection0.10% - 0.30%Rural fire protection districts
Library District0.05% - 0.15%Public library services (e.g., Kewanee Library District)
Municipal0.20% - 0.50%City services where applicable
Total Effective Rate2.10% - 3.90%Combined rate varies by specific location

Note: These rates apply to the 2024 tax year (payable in 2025) and vary significantly based on which combination of taxing districts serve your property. The exact rate for any specific property depends on its location within various district boundaries. Rates are subject to annual adjustment based on approved levies and assessed value changes.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Stark 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 Stark County are triggered when there are changes to a property's assessed value outside the normal assessment cycle. The most common triggers include new construction, completion of major improvements, change of ownership that reveals previously underassessed value, or corrections to assessment errors. When a supplemental assessment occurs, the County Assessor calculates the difference between the old and new assessed values, then applies the current tax rate to determine the additional tax owed.

For example, if a homeowner completes a $50,000 addition to their home mid-year, the assessor would add approximately $16,650 to the assessed value (one-third of market value). If the property's total tax rate is 2.5%, the supplemental tax would be approximately $416 annually, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after completion. Supplemental taxes are billed separately from regular property tax installments and typically 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: General Homestead Credit: -$10,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $90,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.50%
  • Annual Tax: $2,250
  • Monthly Escrow: $188

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (33.33%): $200,000
  • Less: General Homestead Credit: -$10,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $190,000
  • Tax Rate: 2.75%
  • Annual Tax: $5,225
  • Monthly Escrow: $435

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (33.33%): $333,333
  • Less: General Homestead Credit: -$10,000 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $323,333
  • Tax Rate: 3.00%
  • Annual Tax: $9,700
  • Monthly Escrow: $808

Note: All credits require annual application and approval. Tax rates shown are examples - actual rates vary by specific taxing district combinations.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Stark County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, especially when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, depositing these funds into a separate escrow account. The lender then pays the county directly when taxes come due on June 1st and September 1st each year.

Homeowners should verify that their lender has current tax information, as assessment changes or rate adjustments can affect escrow calculations. The lender will perform an annual escrow analysis and may adjust monthly payments if there's a shortage or surplus. Property owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid on time, even when using escrow services. If you pay taxes directly without escrow, remember that Stark County accepts prepayments starting December 1st for the following year's taxes, and interest penalties apply immediately after the due dates.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Stark County? A: Property taxes are typically due in two installments: June 1st for the first installment and September 1st for the second installment. For the 2025 tax year, the second installment is due September 1, 2026. Interest penalties begin accruing immediately after each due date.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary credit is the General Homestead Exemption, which reduces your equalized assessed value by up to $10,000. This credit requires an annual application to the County Assessor's office and is not automatic. Senior citizens and disabled persons may qualify for additional credits, but all require separate applications with supporting documentation.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit reduces your property's assessed value by up to $10,000, not your market value. For example, if your assessed value is $150,000, the credit reduces it to $140,000 for tax calculation purposes. You must apply annually, and the credit only applies to your primary residence.

Q: When does the county reassess properties? A: Illinois law requires properties to be reassessed every four years, though the county assessor may conduct interim adjustments for new construction or significant changes. Property owners who disagree with assessments can appeal to the Board of Review, typically during a specified period in the summer following assessment notices.

Q: What happens if I pay late? A: Interest penalties begin accruing immediately after the due date on any unpaid balance. If taxes remain unpaid, the property becomes subject to the county's annual tax sale, typically held in October. For 2025 taxes, the delinquent tax sale is scheduled for October 28, 2026.

Q: Can I pay my taxes online? A: Contact the Stark County Clerk's office to inquire about current online payment options, as availability may vary. The county typically accepts prepayments starting December 1st for the following tax year.

Q: How do special districts affect my tax rate? A: Your total tax rate depends on which taxing districts serve your property, including school districts, fire protection districts, library districts, and municipalities. Properties in different areas of the county may have significantly different total rates based on these district combinations.

Q: What if I disagree with my assessment? A: Property owners can appeal assessments to the County Board of Review during the designated appeal period, usually in late spring or early summer. Appeals must be filed within the statutory deadline, and you'll need evidence supporting your claim that the assessment is incorrect.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
District Extension Summarystarkco.illinois.gov
02
Tax Doc
Tax Codes and Districts Catalogstarkco.illinois.gov
03
County
Treasurer | Stark County ILstarkco.illinois.gov
04
County
Stark County Board Meetingstarkco.illinois.gov
05
County
Office of County Clerk - Stark County Illinoisstarkco.illinois.gov
06
County
Department of Building & Zoning - Stark County Illinoisstarkco.illinois.gov
07
County
ILLINOIS COUNTY CLERKS' OFFICIAL PROPERTY TAX MANUALeffinghamcountyil.gov
08
February 2019illinois.gov
09
County
stark county, ohioauditor.state.oh.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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