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Managing Property Taxes Property taxes have unquestionably become one of the most important and most complicated management issues for owners of office, hotel, industrial, retail and multifamily properties. Owners, lessees and asset managers must be properly represented in order to contend with both the ever increasing impact of real estate taxes and the complexities of the assessment appeal process. The two are inextricably linked. The ability to control the burden of property taxes is directly related to the degree of legal competence of one’s tax attorneys. The principal approach to controlling property taxes is reducing assessments to fair and equitable values by effective, knowledgeable legal representation. For more than five decades, Fisk Kart Katz and Regan has lived by these standards, focusing its practice entirely on providing legal services dedicated to reducing its clients’ real estate tax liabilities. top Successful Legal Representation The documented achievements of Fisk Kart Katz and Regan include multi-million dollar reductions on large industrial facilities, office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, apartment complexes and world class condominium properties. The firm is the largest and most experienced in the field of property tax law in Chicago. A complete understanding of the assessment and tax appeal process in the Chicago metropolitan area and throughout Illinois is essential to providing positive results for taxpayers. Fisk Kart Katz and Regan has distinguished itself by actively participating in Bar Association and other professional and civic organizations which propose and review legislation affecting the taxation process. Many of the firm’s partners and associates previously served with the major governmental offices in Cook County and the State of Illinois which are responsible for assessment and taxation. Such experience is invaluable in understanding the methodology of establishing assessments. This results in an increased probability of discovering and correcting errors and creates opportunities for additional tax savings. Fisk Kart Katz and Regan strives to attain the lowest possible assessments for its clients under the laws of the State of Illinois and the policies of its numerous assessing authorities. The firm proactively reviews assessments annually to guard against unanticipated and unwarranted increases. Representation by Fisk Kart Katz and Regan results in measurable increases in net income and corresponding escalations in overall market value of client’s properties. top Professionalism, Communication and Advocacy Our commitment to provide effective, knowledgeable and thorough legal representation is based upon professionalism, communication and advocacy. At Fisk Kart Katz and Regan, case presentations to assessing authorities are professionally prepared, extensively documented and vigorously argued on behalf of each client. The firm has been successful in appealing assessments for clients even after others found no basis for a reduction or obtained inadequate relief. Constant review of assessment procedures, internal policies of government agencies, legislation and case law allows the firm to look beyond the obvious to achieve results that meet and often exceed clients’ expectations. The complex nature and timing of the appeals process places a premium on regular communication between the firm and its clients. Significant tax savings are produced, not only by successful assessment appeals, but also by discussing the ramifications of such issues as tax prorations on sales or purchases of properties, tax incentives on new construction, additions or substantial renovations and tax projections on properties being considered for acquisition. The firm diligently reviews each real estate tax matter and pursues appeals on all levels: administrative hearings in the various governmental offices, litigation in the circuit courts and, where appropriate, appeals to the higher courts. top National Scope of Fisk Kart Katz and Regan American Property Tax Counsel The depth and breadth of Fisk Kart Katz and Regan professional capabilities extend throughout the U.S. and Canada. The firm’s status as a charter member of American Property Tax Counsel, the National Affiliation of Property Tax Attorneys, is of particular value to clients. American Property Tax Counsel members constitute the leading law firms in the property tax field and provide a forum for sharing information and strategies in the assessment appeal process. This affiliation of independent law firms, whose members are dedicated to practicing assessment and tax law at its highest level, provide clients of Fisk Kart Katz and Regan with professional, experienced representation for all of their properties and enables Fisk Kart Katz and Regan to coordinate property tax matters for clients throughout the U.S. and Canada.