Homeowners, in Cook County tax exemptions can lower your property tax bill significantly. And now (March 2025) is the time to apply for your 2024 exemptions. There's a lot to know, so here's a good overview.
In Illinois, we pay taxes in arrears, which means the tax bill comes AFTER the actual year. So while today it is 2025, the "current" tax year is 2024.
Do I need to re-apply for tax exemptions every year?
Some exemptions renew automatically. If you received the Homeowner, Senior, or Persons with Disabilities Exemptions last year, they will renew automatically. Keep an eye out for a confirmation in the mail from the Assessor's office.
Others do not automatically renew. If you qualify for Returning Veterans, Veterans with Disabilities, and/or Senior Freeze Exemptions, you must reapply every year. Apply online or look for an application booklet in the mail soon.
Who can apply for Cook County Tax Exemptions?
If you own your home and it is your primary residence, you likely qualify for the Homeowner Exemption—no matter your citizenship status! This exemption saves homeowners an average of $950 every year.
Others do not automatically renew. If you qualify for Returning Veterans, Veterans with Disabilities, and/or Senior Freeze Exemptions, you must reapply every year. Apply online or look for an application booklet in the mail soon.
Who can apply for Cook County Tax Exemptions?
If you own your home and it is your primary residence, you likely qualify for the Homeowner Exemption—no matter your citizenship status! This exemption saves homeowners an average of $950 every year.
Veterans with disabilities should apply for the Veterans with Disabilities Exemption—a key financial relief program for those who have served.
Seniors aged 65+ should apply for the Senior Exemption and, if income-eligible, the Senior Freeze Exemption to protect against rising costs.
How can you apply?
Head to the Cook County Tax Exemption Page for a streamlined application process. Applying online ensures a digital record of your application and allows assessor staff to easily track its status. The county should be mailing out paper applications soon.
How do you know if you have existing exemptions?
At the bottom of the Cook County Tax Exemption Page, enter your property PIN or address. On your home's Property Details page, click "Exemptions History & Status" to review your current exemptions.
How do you know if you have existing exemptions?
At the bottom of the Cook County Tax Exemption Page, enter your property PIN or address. On your home's Property Details page, click "Exemptions History & Status" to review your current exemptions.
Yes, there's a lot of info. So, here are two charts to help break it down.
WHAT TAX EXEMPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
| Homeowner Exemption If the property was your primary residence as of January 1st of the tax year. |
Home Improvement Exemption If you made any major, qualifying improvements to your property last year. |
| Senior Citizen Exemption If the property was your primary residence as of January 1st AND are at least 65 years old of the tax year. |
Returning Veterans Exemption If you are a veteran who returned home from active duty in armed conflict area last year. |
| Senior Freeze Exemption If the property was your primary residence as of January 1st AND are at least 65 years old of the tax year AND your household income was less than $65,000 last year. | Disabled Veterans Homeowner Exemption If you are a veteran with a service-connected disability. |
| Longtime Homeowner Exemption If you lived in the property was your primary residence for all of last year, AND your household income was less than $100,000 last year AND your assessment went up high enough. | Disabled Persons Homeowner Exemption If you are a disabled person, are responsible to pay the property tax bill and the property was your primary residence as of January first. |
MORE ABOUT TAX EXEMPTIONS
| How do I claim my exemptions? You can apply online or on paper. Watch for a paper form in your mailbox. | One per customer, please. If you own another property (here, or in any other state) and already receive property tax exemptions for it, you will need to submit a Waiver of Erroneous Exemptions. The county assesses steep penalties and interest charges when they catch property owners double dipping. |
| Exemptions from your home's previous owner DO NOT carry over. The county removes or eliminates exemptions whenever a new deed is recorded, so you'll need to apply. You also need to re-apply if you transfer your title to a trust or add/remove an owner. | What about exemptions I received but am not eligible for? You can only claim a homeowners exemption on one property at a time. Receiving tax savings based on erroneous exemptions is against the law. The county has a right to come after you to recover tax revenue that it lost. Costs and penalties too. If you don't or no longer qualify, you should contact the county and file to remove those at once. |
| Some exemptions renew automatically. The most common are the Homeowner, Senior Citizen, and Disabled Citizen exemptions. So, once you have them in place, you should be able to relax. (Still, its always good to double check, just in case.) | Miss an exemption? You can claim refunds based on missed exemptions for up to six years. On the county's Property Tax Exemptions page, click "Apply for Past Years". |
| Other exemptions require annual renewal, including Senior Freeze and Disable Veterans exemptions . | Visit the Cook County Tax Exemption Page to learn more. |
Don't leave money on the table! Check your exemptions and apply today to maximize your property tax savings. And be sure to tell your friends and neighbors.
Have any questions? While we don't represent clients with tax matters, we'd be happy to answer general questions. Simply contact John or me (Mike) through our website, or schedule a call at your convenience. We're here to help.