Senior Exemptions
There are a variety of Exemptions that taxpayers may qualify for. Below are some of the most common ones yet a complete list and additional information can be found on the Will County Supervisor of Assessments website at Exemptions (willcountysoa.com)
Senior Homestead Exemption
An annual homestead exemption is granted for a property that is occupied as a residence by a person 65 years of age or older who is liable for paying real estate taxes on the property and is an owner of record of the property or has a legal or equitable interest therein as evidence by a written instrument, except for a leasehold interest, other than a leasehold interest of land which a single family residence is located which is occupied as a residence by a person 65 years or older, who has an ownership interest therein, legal, equitable or as a lessee, and or which he or she is liable for the payment of property taxes.
When a homestead exemption has been granted under this Section and the person qualifying subsequently becomes a resident of a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, the exemption shall continue so long as the residence continues to be occupied by the qualifying person’s spouse if the spouse is 65 years of age or older, or if the residence remains unoccupied but is still owned by the person qualified for the homestead exemption.
A person who will be 65 years of age during the current assessment year shall be eligible to apply for the homestead exemption during that assessment year. The application shall be made during the application period in effect for the county of his residence.
The maximum reduction shall be $3,500 in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants for 2007, $4,000 for 2008, and thereafter.
To file for a Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption you will need:
1. Copy of your recorded deed.
2. Copy of Birth Certificate, Illinois Drivers License, or Illinois ID
3. Copy of current Tax Bill or P.I.N. (property index number)
You may request an application from the Supervisor of Assessments website or our office. If the application is returned in the mail, the application must be notarized and the information requested above must accompany the application.
Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Exemptions
This exemption freezes the assessment on your property if your total household income is $65,000 or less. This exemption may be claimed in addition to those described above.
This exemption does not freeze your tax rate; you need to understand that the actual taxes which you pay may continue to increase based upon the amounts levied by the taxing bodies where you reside (school, park, village or city, township, etc). The filing deadline for this exemption is July 1 of each year.
To receive this exemption you must:
•Have fulfilled a property residency requirement as explained on the application form.
•Be age 65 or older.
•Have a maximum household income of $65,000. This household income includes that of all persons using the property as their principal dwelling place on January 1 of the tax year. Please note that this exemption is income based and therefore, must be renewed annually. The Supervisor of Assessments for the County mails applications to all taxpayers receiving the Senior Homestead Exemption.
Senior Citizen Freeze Exemption Form: http://www.willcountysoa.com/section/exemptions#Senior_Freeze
Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program
Available to qualified seniors 65 or over with a total household income of $55,000 or less, who have lived in the property for at least three years and have no delinquent property taxes or assessments due on the property.
Deferred taxes are paid by the state with repayment, plus interest, due upon settlement of estate or sale of the property. Applicants can obtain forms by contacting:
Will County Treasurer’s Office
302 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-4675
WILL COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ASSESSMENTS
302 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-4648