Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said taxpayers have until Wednesday to participate in the program of pre-paying their first-installment real-estate taxes, a program that is expected to be used this year by a record number of participants who want to maximize their income-tax deductions.

Many taxpayers traditionally pre-paid their first-installment taxes when they were out of town traveling between now and March. This year, we are seeing many people pre-paying because they want to increase how much they can deduct from their income taxes, Pappas said. Last year, about 1,500 taxpayers submitted payments by New Year's Eve. As of last Friday, we were already at 1,459 prepayments.

The first installment 2003 real-estate taxes are due March 2, 2004. Because Cook County uses the estimated billing system, taxpayers may determine and pre-pay their first-installment bills. Taxpayers may calculate the first installment by taking the 2002 Total Tax (Payable in 2003) from their fall tax bill and dividing that amount by two.

Pre-payments must be for the exact amount of the first-installment and are permitted only on properties where the current taxes are up to date. Overpayments are not accepted.

To pre-pay the 2003 first installment due March 2, 2004, property owners may mail the payment with a U.S. postmark on or before Dec. 31, 2003, or submit the payment in person. The check must include:

The words PRE-PAYMENT 2003-1st in the memo line of the check

The taxpayer's name
The property index number (PIN)
The PIN property location, with unit if needed
The taxpayer's phone number
The taxpayer's e-mail address (if available)

Taxpayers also may go to www.cookcountytreasurer.com/payments/prepayment for more information on pre-paying first-installment taxes.