Our Services

Upon written engagement by the client, John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. will perform whatever steps are necessary in order to obtain the lowest possible legal property tax assessment. The client is always kept closely advised as to all important developments in the case. After a case is concluded, we continue to monitor the property's assessments and review the tax bills for accuracy.

We are also available for purposes of defending against property tax underassessment complaints. These types of cases are going to become more common as cash-hungry taxing districts take whatever steps they can to maximize tax revenue.

Other areas of legal representation include select:
*Assessed Valuation cases in other jurisdictions,
*Reverse Sales/Use Tax Audits
*Sarbanes/Oxely Compliance

Fees
We offer a flexible approach to fees. Services are rendered on the basis of a negotiated annual fee, an hourly fee, or a contingent fee based upon a percentage of the savings/refund obtained.

Services
Our property tax services typically include the following:

• A physical inspection of the property and an audit of the Assessor's record card for the purpose of discovering factual errors.
  
  
• A report to the client of our findings with specific recommendations as to the most appropriate and cost-effective means of minimizing the assessed valuation.
  
  
• The preparation, filing of complaints, and presentation of evidence before the Assessor, Board of Review, Property Tax Appeals Board, or in the Circuit Court.
  
  
• Advice regarding the probable property tax ramifications of prospective purchases or leases of business or investment grade real estate.
  
  
• Advice relating to the procurement of tax incentives or abatements. This is often an overlooked procedure that is commonly available to industrial and commercial owners.
  
  
• Advice relating to the procurement of exemptions that are often available to religious or not-for-profit organizations.
  
  
• We are also available to represent and defend taxpayers in sales/use/lease tax audits by the State of Illinois, Cook County, the City of Chicago and/or other municipalities.
  
  
• We offer audit services for the purpose of insuring compliance with the Sarbanes/Oxley Act. These services are offered only to those who are not currently clients of John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd.
  
  
  Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance "SOX"
  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has changed the way American businesses are run. Accounting firms can no longer certify a client's financial records and then supply consulting services to that same client. After numerous scandals, Congress has decreed the following:
  
  Internal control is a process affected by an entity's board of directors, management and other personnel and designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following categories: reliability of financial reporting and preparation of reliable published financial statements; effectiveness and efficiency of operations and assurance of an entity's basic business objectives including performance, profitability goals and safeguarding of assets; and compliance with applicable laws and regulations and guarantees of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with those laws to which an entity is subject (Section 404, Sarbanes-Oxley Act).

  John P. Fitzgerald, Ltd. performs audits of the Illinois tax appeals process and tax payments which are designed to document and support internal controls certification in accordance with Section 404 requirements. These services are available only to non-clients, with the explicit understanding that we will not be providing legal services to the recipient or their subsidiaries for a period of 5 years from the date that the audit assignment has been completed.
  

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