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You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying AFFORDABLE Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago DIRECT MAIL By Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas My office is managing $105 million in potential refunds for property tax overpayments going back 20 years that I’m eager to send back to property owners. But determining who’s entitled to a refund isn’t simple. Most overpayments occurred because more than one person paid the same tax bill. Reasons why duplicate payments were made include: · Both the property owner and the property owner’s mortgage company paid the property tax bill; · Both spouses paid the property tax bill without telling the other; or · Two or more mortgage companies, banks, or title companies paid the same taxes during a property purchase or refinancing. You may be entitled to a refund even if you bought or sold your property long ago. The law allows refunds for duplicate payments made as many as two decades ago. So even if you’ve moved, you’re still entitled to that refund if you overpaid. Ella McWilliams learned she’d be receiving a refund after discovering there was a substantial overpayment back in 2004 when both the title company and the mortgage company made payments. Also, McWilliams made smaller overpayments in 2007, 2008, and 2009. But they add up. In all, McWilliams owed just under $1,350. McWilliams told the story of her $1,346 refund as a guest on my “Black Houses Matter” radio show, which airs at 11:30 a.m. every Monday on WVON-AM 1690. “I guess God put it in my heart to call, and I did,” said McWilliams. Employees in my office helped the 80-year-old
widow file the paperwork she needed to apply for her refund. She filled out a form labeled “Refund Application: Duplicate & Overpayment.” The form can be filed electronically and is available online at cookcountytreasurer.com. After providing contact information, you may be asked to submit proof of payment. We require documentation to ensure refunds are issued only to the person who made the overpayment. · If you paid cash, a copy of your receipt serves as proof of payment. · If you paid by personal or business check, a copy of the front of the canceled check used to pay the taxes or a copy of the monthly bank statement showing the corresponding check number and payment amount is needed. ·If you paid online at cookcountytreasurer.com, you’ll need a copy of your bank statement showing the transfer of funds to the Treasurer’s Office or a copy of your credit card statement showing payment. · If a mortgage company paid the taxes, you can provide a copy of the IRS Form 1098 indicating taxes were paid for the tax year in question. In McWilliams’ case, she had to provide proof that she made the property tax payment back in 2004 when the largest overpayment was made. “I had no idea I was going to be talking to the right people and getting what I needed to be done. But I got it done, and I thank you all so much for that,” said McWilliams. Visit cookcountytreasurer.com to find out if you are owed a share of more than $100 million in overpayment refunds. But you can only get refunded for payments going back twenty years, so the time to act is now!
Your Medicare Roadmap: What to Know Before You Turn 65 (Feature Impact) Sixty-five is more than a number. It’s a milestone. A moment to reflect on where you’ve been and look forward with confidence to what comes next. For millions of Americans, turning 65 also means unlocking one of the most valuable benefits you’ve earned: Medicare. The best is still ahead, and it starts with knowing your options. The official source for Medicare information, Medicare.gov, is here to help with clear, trusted information. The path to Medicare is not the same for everyone. Some people get Medicare automatically and others have to sign up. It depends on whether you are already getting Social Security. Either way, you’ll want to choose how you get your Medicare coverage. Get information for your path at Medicare.gov, where you can find out when and how to enroll and explore your coverage options. Understanding Your Medicare Coverage Options When you first sign up for Medicare, you choose how to get your coverage. There are two main options: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare is health coverage provided directly by the federal government. It has two parts: • Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care. Most people pay no premium for Part A. • Part B (Medical Insurance) covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services (like screenings, vaccines and annual wellness visits) and durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month and is typically deducted from your Social Security check. With Original Medicare, you can visit any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. You can also add optional coverage to help manage costs: • Medigap (Supplemental Insurance) helps pay your share of Medicare costs. • Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) helps pay for medications.
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare that provides Part A and Part B and is offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. You still pay the Part B premium. Some plans charge an additional premium – though many carry a $0 plan premium and may even help cover part of your Part B cost. Most plans include in Part D drug coverage along with extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing. Keep in mind most plans require you to use doctors within the plan’s network. 5 Steps to Enroll with Confidence 1. Use official sources. Go to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for step-by-step, personalized guidance on coverage and enrollment. 2. Start early. You don’t have to wait until your birthday. Explore your options now so you’re ready when your enrollment window opens. 3. Know your enrollment path. Your path depends on your circumstances – some people are automatically enrolled and some are not. There are unique steps for people who are still working. 4. Avoid late enrollment penalties. Missing your enrollment window can result in a permanent premium penalty for both Part B and Part D. Signing up on time protects your wallet for years to come. 5. Compare plans and save. At Medicare.gov, you can compare plan costs side-by-side, based on the specific drugs you take. A quick comparison could save you money each year. You can also confirm your current doctors are in-network before you choose a plan. Turning 65 is a milestone worth celebrating and it’s the perfect time to focus on what matters most: your health and well-being. That includes eating well, exercising and making sure you have health insurance that fits your needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan. What’s important is finding an option that works for you and your health and financial needs. Start your journey at Medicare.gov – your roadmap to a healthier and confident future. Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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