Veterans with Disabilities Exemption

If your home was eligible for the Homeowner Exemption for past tax years including 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, or 2019 and the exemption was not applied to your property tax bill, the Assessor’s Office can help you obtain a refund through what is called a Certificate of Error. 

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.
Apply Online 

Download the paper form for tax years 2019 through 2023. 
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Paper forms can be mailed to: 118 North Clark St., Room 320, Chicago, IL 60602

• Illinois resident who has served as a member of the United States Armed Forces on active duty or state active duty, a member of the Illinois National Guard or U.S. Reserve Forces. 
• Have at least a 30% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Own and occupy the property as the primary residence in 2024.
• This applies to $250,000 of the EAV for the primary residence, excluding the EAV of property used for commercial purposes or rented for more than 6 months.
  • The equalized assessed value is only the partial property value on which your taxes are computed and can be found on the second installment tax bill under the Tax Calculator. 
• If you own a multi-unit property, such as a three-flat building, you are only eligible to receive the exemption towards the unit you occupy and not those that are rented for more than 6 months. 
• A non-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who had a service-connected disability certified by the VA and has been a resident of Illinois from the time of the veteran's death through this taxable year is eligible to apply.
  • Beginning in tax year 2023, a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran with a service-connected disability who never claimed this exemption before is eligible to apply. This doesn't apply to tax years before 2023. 

The amount of EAV reduced is dependent on the percentage of disability. Please see the chart below. 

1. A first-time applicant must please provide a Department of Defense DD Form 214, certified by either the Cook County Clerk's Office or Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. This document is not required for those reapplying. 
2. All applicants, must provide a Disability Certification Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

• Verification letters will be used to verify the veteran's name, percentage of service-connected disability, and effective date. Please see examples of required verification letters. 
  • To obtain a letter from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, follow these steps. 
    1.     Dial 1-800-827-1000.
    2.     You will hear two recorded messages. 
    3.     At the end of the second recorded message (Covid-19 Vaccination Availability), press option 1. 
    4.     Listen carefully, you will be asked a series of benefit questions and information on how to access your benefit letter. 
    5.     Speak clearly into the automated system if you would prefer a system-generated letter 

• A non-remarried surviving spouse of a veteran with a disability who is eligible for the Exemption and is using the Exemption for the first time or transferring it to a new address: you must provide the disabled veteran's death certificate and proof of ownership.

  3. If your property has been identified as a class 2-11 (two to six residential apartments) or a 2-12 (two to six mixed-use apartments). This exemption only applies to $250,000 of the equalized assessed value (EAV) of your primary residence, excluding the EAV of property used for commercial purposes or units rented for more than 6 months. To determine your level of relief, please complete this Affidavit as to the Number of Units at the Subject Property that includes a statement on the number of units that were rented in 2024.

  4. Proof of Identity and occupancy in 2024.

• A copy of one photo ID from List A must be provided along with an Occupancy Affidavit (the affidavit is provided within the online application).  The name and property address must match the application and the date of issue must verify that you occupied this property on or before January 1, 2024.
   

  List A: Photo IDs that verify identity and occupancy • Illinois Drivers License / ID Card • Matrícula Consular ID • City of Chicago ID Card

• If the address on your photo ID does not match the property address, a copy of one document from List B and one from List C, and an Occupancy Affidavit must be provided. 
   

• List B: Photo IDs that verify identity  • Illinois Drivers License / ID Card • Matrícula Consular ID • City of Chicago ID Card • US Military ID • Passport • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570) • Permanent Resident Card (I-551) • Refugee Travel Document (I-571) • Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

  List C: Documents that verify 2024 occupancy (must demonstrate property occupancy in 2024) • Bank statement • Landline, cable, or internet bill • Pay stub or Social Security Award letter • Voting record from 2024 (from Cook County Clerk’s office or Chicago Board of Elections)

For further assistance on how to obtain the required documents contact the Chicago VA Regional office. 
Number: 312.980-4470 or 312.980.4378
Email: VETINQUIRIES.VBACHI@va.gov

Please Note: This exemption cannot be combined with the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities, or the Returning Veterans Homeowner Exemption.

Can a surviving spouse apply for the exemption?
A non-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who had a service-connected disability certified by the VA and has been a resident of Illinois from the time of the veteran's death through this taxable year is eligible to apply. They may receive or continue to receive this exemption if the same primary residence continues as such for the surviving spouse. Alternatively, the non-remarried surviving spouse may transfer the exemption amount (or less) to a new primary residence. 

As a surviving spouse, can I transfer this exemption to a new residence? 
Yes, you can transfer to a new residence. First, you must sell the disabled veteran's previous property before transferring the exemption to his or her new primary residence, occupy the property as the primary residence, and hold a legal or beneficial title to the property on January 1st of the assessment year. 

What if I own a residential apartment or a mixed-used apartment? 
If your property has been identified as a class 2-11 (two to six residential apartment) or a 2-12 (two to six mixed-use apartment). This exemption only applies to $250,000 of the equalized assessed value (EAV) of your primary residence, excluding the EAV of property used for commercial purposes or units rented for more than six (6) months. This means Veterans that are in the 70% or greater disability rating can only receive a tax exemption on the unit(s) that are used as the veteran’s primary residence. No exemption can be granted on the unit(s) on which rent was collected for more than 6 months in calendar year 2023. To determine your level of relief, please complete this Affidavit as to the Number of Units at the Subject Property that includes a statement on the number of units that were rented in 2024.

How do I apply for prior tax years?
If you were eligible for the exemption in a prior Tax Year but the exemption was not on your bill, you can apply for a refund or corrected bill by filing for a certificate of error. Learn more here.

• A complete application requires supporting documents (listed above) and your home's PIN. How do I find my PIN?