Village of Orland Park Invites Residents To Apply for Rebates Online

Eligible Village of Orland Park residents may apply for the village’s residential property tax rebate beginning October 29, 2012.  The Village Board voted to rebate $2.5 million in residential property taxes as a result of the Village of Orland Park’s strong financial position.  This will mark a village tax rebate for eight of the last 11 years.

“We began rebating a portion of the property taxes that residents pay to the village in 2003, and despite a suspension of the program during the economic downturn, are pleased that the village is again in a strong financial position to offer the rebate,” said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin.

The total amount rebated to Village of Orland Park residents from 2003 to 2009 was approximately $27.6 million.

“Though the village’s portion of the property tax bill is only about 7%, the rebate provides some relief for residents,” said Trustee Brad O’Halloran, chair of the village’s Finance Committee. “We are fortunate to be able to provide the rebate through Home Rule Sales Tax while continuing to provide a large number of valuable services for village residents,” O’Halloran added.

When the village last offered the property tax rebate, the amount that each household received was determined by the equalized assessed value of the home. This year’s rebate will be evenly divided among eligible residents who submit applications and documentation that are reviewed and approved by the village. 

The return of the Village of Orland Park’s Property Tax Rebate Program brings the newly added ability to apply for the rebate online.

“Residents now have three ways to apply for the rebate. They can apply online beginning October 29 at www.optaxrebate.com,” said Trustee Jim Dodge, chair of the village’s Communications and Technology Committee. “They can download a paper application and bring the completed application in to the Village Hall or they can pick up an application at specific buildings in the village and apply in person or by mail,” he added.

An instructional video of the online application process will appear on the village’s cable television stations, Orland Park Comcast Channel 4 and A T & T U-Verse Channel 99 and on the village’s website at www.orland-park.il.us.  Residents who need additional assistance when applying online can also visit the village’s Office of Public Information in the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall.

On-line and paper applications will be available beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 29.  Paper applications are at the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall at 14700 South Ravinia Avenue; the Recreation Administration Building at 14600 South Ravinia Avenue; the village’s Sportsplex at 11351 West 159th Street and at the Orland Park Public Library, 14800 South Ravinia Avenue.

Along with the required application, an eligible resident must include copies of their 2011 second installment property tax bill, driver’s license and a utility bill. Those applying online can scan and upload copies of the documents or take a picture of them with a cell phone or tablet.

If a Village of Orland Park municipal bill account number is provided during the online process or on the paper application, a copy of a recent utility bill is not required. 

“The online process makes it more convenient for those who are familiar with computers and uploading documents,” McLaughlin said. “However, we have paper applications for those who don’t use computers,” he noted.

Eligible village residents must apply before 5 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2012. Questions may be directed to the village’s Tax Rebate Hotline at 708/403-3086.