County assessors administer the assessment of most property. The Department of Revenue appraises certain large industrial sites for the counties. Each county assessor prepares their county's assessment roll, which is a listing of all taxable property as of January 1 of each year. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the assessment of utility property, which is placed on a statewide assessment roll. The department allocates utility values to the county rolls prior to the preparation of tax bills.
Most property used for religious, fraternal, and governmental purposes is exempt.
Reductions in assessments are granted for certain types of property such as open space, farmland, forestland, and historical buildings. Properties owned by veterans also are given reduced assessments. Under current law, a property owner or other person who holds an interest in a property that obligates the person to pay the taxes imposed on the property can appeal the valuation of their property to the local Board of Property Tax Appeals. Petitions to the board must be filed between late October, when the tax statements are mailed, and December 31. Petitions are filed in the office of the county clerk in the county where the property is located.