Applications for Property Tax Savings Now Available

Cook County — Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced at a press conference today that property tax–saving exemptions applications for the 2024 tax year are now available online. Exemptions are savings that contribute to lowering a homeowner’s property tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, which saves a property owner an average of $950 dollars each year.

Here are some key things that homeowners should know when applying for exemptions. 

The Homeowner, Senior, and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions are automatically renewed. Postcards will be mailed to households confirming that no action is needed. 

Homeowners must reapply for the Veterans with Disabilities and the “Senior Freeze” Exemptions. Seniors and veterans that need to reapply will be mailed application booklets in the coming weeks. 

“Every homeowner should take full advantage of the exemptions they are entitled to. When I am in the community talking to residents about their property taxes, the first thing I tell them is to check for missing exemptions,” Assessor Kaegi said.

“If you own and live in your home you are most likely eligible for the Homeowner Exemption, regardless of citizenship status. If you live in your home and don’t claim this and other exemptions, you’re missing out on hundreds of dollars in property tax savings.” 

“On behalf of our roughly 500,000 members in Cook County, AARP Illinois stands with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi to remind older adults aged 65 and older to apply for the Senior  Exemption, and for those income-eligible, the Low-Income Senior Freeze Exemption,” said Philippe Largent, State Director of AARP Illinois. “AARP members have told us repeatedly that rising costs have made it more difficult to age in place. For this reason, we are partnering with the Cook County Assessor to provide information and resources about these cost-cutting initiatives and programs, including through virtual and in-person educational workshops in the coming months.”

“The Cook County Assessor’s Office’s Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities is a vital resource that provides much-needed financial relief to our Veterans and their families. The Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County (VACCC) is proud to partner with the Assessor’s Office to promote these essential benefits and ensure that every eligible Veteran is aware of and can access the exemptions they have earned. Together, we are working to honor and support those who have served by easing their financial burdens and improving their quality of life” said Elizabeth Soto, Superintendent for the VACCC.

“We know that understanding the property tax system can make a real difference for homeowners. That’s why we provide free services to help residents learn about exemptions and other options. Through webinars and workshops like this one working directly with the Assessor’s Office, we equip community members with the information they need to keep their homes affordable,” said Danielle Matthews, Director of Homeownership Services, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS)

“At The Resurrection Project, we are committed to helping families keep their homes affordable and stable. Property tax exemptions are a critical tool for reducing financial strain, and we want every homeowner to receive the savings they deserve—including recovering missed exemptions, said Salvador Garcia, Housing Stability Supervisor at The Resurrection Project. “We encourage all eligible homeowners to take advantage of this opportunity. Please reach out to us for guidance, education, and translation support.”

New homeowners, first-time applicants, or those that need to reapply can now do so online at www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online so there is a digital record of their application. This allows Assessor staff to easily locate the application, provide a status update, and notify the homeowner if missing documents are needed.

This year, anyone reapplying online will have access to a streamlined application form, reducing the time it takes to apply. 

If homeowners are unsure of their existing exemptions, they can review the “Exemptions History & Status” section of the “Property Details” page for their home. 

Exemptions forms are available in Spanish, Polish, and simplified Chinese languages. 

Applications can be downloaded at www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions.

As a reminder, exemptions are only reflected on the second installment tax bill.

Homeowners can join virtual exemptions workshops on Facebook and YouTube at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, in English and on Wednesday, March 19, in Spanish. For a list of upcoming in-person and virtual outreach events, visit www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list. 

For groups interested in hosting an exemption workshop together with the Assessor’s Office, fill out this form. 

To receive news and updates from the Assessor’s Office, sign up here.

For video from the March 5 press conference, see here. 

For photos, see here.