Illinois Property Tax Relief: Exemptions & How to File
Illinois has 8 main property tax relief programs, administered through your Chief County Assessment Officer / County Assessor (in Cook County, the Cook County Assessor's Office). Filing is free.
Biggest benefit
Deferral of property taxes; total deferral may not exceed 80% of the taxpayer's equity interest in the property (repaid with interest upon sale/transfer). Annual per-year deferral cap set by statute; verify current-year cap.
Earliest common deadline
Deadline varies — confirm locally
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Never pay to file a property tax exemption
Applying for a homestead, senior, veteran, or disability exemption is always free through your Chief County Assessment Officer / County Assessor (in Cook County, the Cook County Assessor's Office). You do not need a middleman, and no one can file it "faster" for a fee.
Be skeptical of official-looking letters offering to file your homestead exemption, "designate" your homestead, or send you a copy of your deed for $50–$200. These are private solicitations, not government notices. When in doubt, contact your Chief County Assessment Officer / County Assessor (in Cook County, the Cook County Assessor's Office) directly using the phone number on your tax bill.
Illinois property tax relief programs
Amounts, eligibility, deadlines, and the official source for each program.
| Program | Benefit | Who qualifies | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Homestead Exemption (GHE)Homestead | Reduction in EAV equal to the increase in current EAV above the 1977 EAV, up to a maximum of $10,000 (Cook County), $8,000 (counties contiguous to Cook), or $6,000 (all other counties) | Owner (or legal/equitable interest holder liable for taxes) must occupy the property as their principal dwelling place | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-175County-specific application (Cook County: automatic/CCAO application) |
| Senior Citizens Homestead ExemptionSenior (65+) | $8,000 EAV reduction (Cook County and contiguous counties); $5,000 EAV reduction (all other counties) | Age 65+ · Owner (or legal/equitable interest holder liable for taxes) must be 65+ and occupy the property as their principal residence | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-170PTAX-324 (initial application); PTAX-329 (annual renewal/verification) |
| Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (Senior Freeze)Assessment FreezeVerify locally | Freezes the property's base-year EAV so it does not rise while the senior remains qualified (does not freeze the tax bill or tax rate) | Age 65+ · Income: $65,000 total household income (confirmed by Cook County Assessor for the 2024 tax year). NOTE: legislation reported to raise the maximum income limitation to $75,000 for tax year 2026 with later CPI adjustment; the current-year figure must be reverified before use. · Owner age 65+ occupying the property as principal residence, liable for the taxes, meeting the household income limit | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-172PTAX-340, Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Application and Affidavit |
| Homestead Exemption for Persons with DisabilitiesDisability | $2,000 annual EAV reduction | Person with a disability as defined by statute (e.g., unable to engage in substantial gainful activity / receiving qualifying disability benefits); annual proof of disability required · Must own or have a legal/equitable interest and occupy the property as their primary residence and be liable for the taxes | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-168PTAX-343 (initial application); PTAX-343-R (annual verification of eligibility) |
| Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (SHEVD)Veteran | $2,500 EAV reduction (30% to <50% service-connected disability); $5,000 EAV reduction (50% to <70%); 70% or more: the first $250,000 of the property's EAV is exempt from taxation | Service-connected disability of at least 30%, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; benefit tier scales with disability percentage · Veteran (or qualifying surviving spouse) must own and occupy the property as their primary residence; EAV of the property generally must not exceed the statutory value cap | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-169PTAX-342 (application); PTAX-342-R (annual verification of eligibility) |
| Returning Veterans' Homestead ExemptionVeteran | $5,000 EAV reduction | Illinois resident veteran who owns and occupies the property as their primary residence and returned from active duty in an armed conflict involving U.S. armed forces | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-167PTAX-341, Application for Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption |
| Homestead Improvement ExemptionHomestead | Exempts the added value from new improvements up to $75,000 in fair cash value (approximately $25,000 in assessed value) per year, for up to 4 years | Owner-occupied homestead property that has made qualifying new improvements or been rebuilt | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗35 ILCS 200/15-180PTAX-323 (where required by county) |
| Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral ProgramTax DeferralVerify locally | Deferral of property taxes; total deferral may not exceed 80% of the taxpayer's equity interest in the property (repaid with interest upon sale/transfer). Annual per-year deferral cap set by statute; verify current-year cap. | Age 65+ · Income: Statutory household income limit applies; verify current-year figure with the Illinois Department of Revenue / County Treasurer · Illinois resident age 65+ who owns and occupies the qualifying property and meets income and equity requirements | Deadline varies — confirm locally | Official source ↗320 ILCS 30 (Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act)Form IL-1017 (application); Form IL-1018 (Tax Deferral and Recovery Agreement) |
For veterans
In most states a higher VA disability rating unlocks a larger — often total — property tax exemption.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
VA Claims Academy
A 100% VA disability rating unlocks full property tax exemptions in most states. VA Claims Academy helps veterans pursue the rating increases they may be owed.
Visit VA Claims Academy →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
For seniors
Planning ahead protects your exemption and your home.
Trusted Resources
Trusted tools to help you claim what you've earned
CareSifter — Find trusted senior care
Property tax relief is one piece of aging in place affordably. CareSifter helps families compare in-home care, assisted living, and senior services.
Explore CareSifter →*Trust & Will — Estate planning made simple
Keeping a homestead exemption in the family often depends on how the home is titled. Trust & Will makes wills, trusts, and transfer-on-death deeds affordable and online.
Start with Trust & Will →*
* Affiliate disclosure: GovSifter may earn a commission from links above. This does not affect program listings or editorial content.
Illinois property tax relief FAQ
What property tax exemptions are available in Illinois?
Illinois offers 8 main property tax relief programs: General Homestead Exemption (GHE), Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (Senior Freeze), Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities, Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (SHEVD), Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption, Homestead Improvement Exemption, Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. Each is administered through your Chief County Assessment Officer / County Assessor (in Cook County, the Cook County Assessor's Office).
How do I apply for a property tax exemption in Illinois?
You apply through your Chief County Assessment Officer / County Assessor (in Cook County, the Cook County Assessor's Office) — for free. Most exemptions require a one-time application by the deadline; check each program for its form and cutoff date. You never need to pay a third party to file.
Is filing for a Illinois property tax exemption free?
Yes. Filing is always free through your Chief County Assessment Officer / County Assessor (in Cook County, the Cook County Assessor's Office). Letters offering to file your homestead exemption for a fee are private solicitations, not government notices.
Compare Illinois to other states by relief type
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