WWII Veterans Exemption

• Occupied the property as my principal place of residence in 2024.
• Liable for payment of this property’s taxes.
• Own this property or have a legal, equitable or leasehold interest in this property.
• Illinois resident who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during World War II.
• A non-remarried surviving spouse of a World War II veteran that is a resident of Illinois from the time of the veteran’s death through this taxable year.

Discharge documentation is required. The document must establish service during the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946. Please see the list of accepted discharge documents provided from the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs. 

DD214 and other Department of Defense (DoD) documents

DD214 and other Department of Defense (DoD) documents

Title	Form
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty	DD 214
Statement of Service	DD 13
Transcript of Military Record	DA 1569
Armed Forces Identification Card (Active)	2A, DD 2AF, DD 2CG, DD 2MC, DD 2N, DD 2NOAA
US Uniformed Services Identification Card	DD 2 (Retired)
Discharge Certificate	DD 217
Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge	DD 303, DD 303AF, DD 303CG, DD 303MC, DD 303N
Report of Casualty	DD 1300

 

DoD documents that must show a period of active-duty service dates

 

DoD documents that must show a period of active-duty service dates

Title	Form
Honorable Discharge Certificate	DD 256A, DD 256AF, DD 256CG, DD 256MC, DD 256N
General Discharge Certificate	DD 257A, DD 257AF, DD 257CG, DD 257MC, DD 257N

 

Documents that must show active-duty service dates

 

Documents that must show active-duty service dates

Title	Form
Honorable Discharge Certificate	Bureau of Investigation No. 213 Discharge from U. S. Naval Reserve Force

 

Documents that must show previous active federal service for something other than training, or a minimum of 20 years total service (for pay)

 

Documents that must show previous active federal service for something other than training, or a minimum of 20 years total service (for pay)

Title	Form
Report of Separation and Record of Service, Departments of the Army and the Air Force, National Guard Bureau	NGB 22

 

 

Other accepted documents

 

Other accepted documents

Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate	Honorable Discharge from The Army of the United States	Official Retirement Order	Transcript of Military Record
Certificate of Discharge, U.S. Naval Service	Honorable Discharge from the United States Army	Official Retirement Register	U.S. Marine Corps Certificate of Service (Instead of lost or destroyed discharge certificate)
Certificate of Military Service	Honorable Discharge from U.S. Navy	Request for Army Information	U.S. Marine Corps Report of Separation
Certificate of Service	Honorable Discharge, U.S. Coast Guard	Reserve Retirement Eligibility Benefits Letter	Verification of Service letter from the VA
Certificate of Service, AVS	Honorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps	Service Information	War Service Certificate
Certification of Military Service	Honorable Discharge, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps	Standard Statement of Service
Discharge Certificate	Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service	Statement of Service
Enlisted Record and Report of Separation General Discharge	Navy Discharge-Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service	Statement of Service- Verification of Status of Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service
Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge	Notice of Separation from U.S. Coast Guard	Summary of Military Service Record from various states
Honorable Discharge from Army of the United States of America	Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service	Summary of Record of Active Service

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)

Where can I receive help finding the required discharge documents? 
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

Is a surviving spouse eligible to apply? 
Yes, a non-remarried surviving spouse of a World War II veteran may apply. They must be a resident of Illinois from the time of the veteran’s death through the taxable year they apply.  

Do I have to reapply every year to receive this savings? 
Once you apply and receive this exemption you do not need to reapply again. The savings will automatically renew every year. 

Where will I see the savings on my property tax bill? 
The amount saved will appear on the 2nd Installment Property Tax Bill that is mailed in the summer.  Property tax savings are listed in the left corner of the 2nd Installment Property Tax Bill. 

Can I apply for this savings if I receive the Veterans with Disabilities exemption? 
You cannot receive both the WWII Veterans and Veterans with Disabilities Exemptions. It is best to choose the exemption that provides the most savings. Please contact our office to help you determine which Veteran related exemption you should apply.