Exemptions are a reduction to the value of your property written into state law. They "exempt" a portion of your property value from taxation.
You may be eligible for:
This exemption provides property tax savings and most homeowners are eligible if the property is their principal place of residence.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, this exemption automatically renews each year.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessor.com/homeowner-exemption
This exemption provides property tax savings and most homeowners who are 65 years and older qualify.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, this exemption automatically renews each year. Newly qualified seniors must file initial applications in 2022.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessoril.gov/senior-citizen-exemption
This exemption provides property tax savings for seniors and eligibility is based on a total annual household income qualification of $65,000 or less. It is important to note that this exemption does not freeze the amount of a property tax bill. The property tax savings may fluctuate due to the state multiplier and local tax rate based on the taxing district in which the property is located.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, for tax year 2021 only, this exemption will automatically renew due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newly qualified applicants must file an initial application in 2022.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessoril.gov/senior-freeze-exemption
This exemption provides property tax savings for persons with disabilities. Please visit our website to view a list of criteria and documentation required.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, for tax year 2021, this exemption will automatically renew due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newly qualified applicants must file an initial application in 2022.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessoril.gov/persons-disabilities-exemption
This exemption provides property tax savings for Veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict.
Automatic Renewal: No, this exemption must be filed annually.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessoril.gov/returning-veterans-exemption
This exemption provides property tax savings for Veterans with a service-connected disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Please visit our website to view a list of criteria and documentation required.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, for tax year 2021, this exemption will automatically renew due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newly qualified applicants must file an initial application in 2022.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessor.com/Veterans-disabilities-exemption
This exemption enables a property owner to receive an expanded Homeowner Exemption with no maximum exemption amount. To qualify there has to be a significant assessment increase which exceeds the maximum amount set by the state legislature.
Automatic Renewal: No, fewer than 2% of homeowners qualify for this exemption and applications are mailed to those properties that qualify each year.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessoril.gov/longtime-homeowner-exemption
This exemption allows homeowners to add improvements to their properties (such as remodeling) that increase its market value up to $75,000, but exempts the improved portion from property taxes for up to four years.
Automatic Renewal: Yes, this exemption will be applied automatically upon filing a building permit for an improvement.
Apply Online: cookcountyassessor.com/home-improvement-exemption
How to Receive an Exemption
Check Your Eligibility
Review the above list for eligibility requirements. The homeowner exemption requires the applicant to be responsible for the taxes on the property and maintain it as a primary residence. Eligibility for other exemptions depends on age, income, level of disability, or service in the armed forces.
Check the Date
Property tax exemptions are applied for during two periods of the year:
February/March: In late winter, the Assessor makes exemption applications for that tax year available to the public. These applications are mailed to newly eligible homeowners, senior freeze recipients who must renew the exemption each year, or homeowners whose application has been audited for eligibility. These exemption applications are usually due by late April.
July: After second installment tax bills are mailed, homeowners may discover that their exemption has been removed. The exemption may have been removed because the homeowner failed to renew it, because the Assessor's Office couldn't verify continued eligibility, or because of an administrative error. If this is the case, the homeowner can reapply for the exemption in July by filing a certificate of error.
Complete Exemption Applications Online or By Mail
All exemptions can be applied for online. Property owners can also send in the application they receive in the mail or fill out an application at the Assessor's downtown or branch offices. Applications must be filed by the deadline for that tax year (usually late spring).
Review Second Installment Tax Bills
All savings from exemptions reflect on the second installment tax bills mailed by the Treasurer's Office. If a property owner does not see the exemption they qualify for on their tax bill, they should apply for a certificate of error for that exemption.
File Certificate Of Error For Missing Exemptions
If a homeowner is missing an exemption, they can apply in-person at the Assessor's Office or online for a Certificate of Error (CoE) after second installment tax bills are mailed. A corrected tax bill and a refund (if applicable) will be issued by the Treasurer's Office. You can file Certificates of Error for any of the three prior tax years with missed exemptions.
Renewing Exemptions
If your exemption must be renewed, the Assessor's Office will mail property owners a fresh exemption application in early spring. You can find renewal requirements in the above list of exemptions.
Homeowner and senior exemptions renew automatically each year unless there is a deed change, so residential property owners are not required to re-apply for them each year except in special circumstances like audits.
Property tax exemptions are applied for during two periods of the year:
- February/March: In late winter, the Assessor makes exemption applications for that tax year available to the public. These applications are mailed to newly eligible homeowners, senior freeze recipients who must renew the exemption each year, or homeowners whose application has been audited for eligibility. These exemption applications are usually due by late April.
- July: After second installment tax bills are mailed, homeowners may discover that their exemption has been removed. The exemption may have been removed because it was not re-applied for (in the case of the senior freeze), because the CCAO believed the homeowner didn't verify their continued eligibility, or because of an error by the CCAO. In any case, a homeowner can re-apply for the exemption during the month of July by filing a certificate of error.