Illinois Program Eligibility
Property Tax-Aide features three statewide programs for older Illinois residents: Low-income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SCAFHE), Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption, and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program.
We also feature five property tax exemptions for residents of Cook County: Homeowner, Senior, Senior Freeze, Persons with Disabilities, and Veterans with Disabilities. Once the homeowner and senior exemption is applied, it auto-renews each year — meaning you only have to apply once!
The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.
Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SCAFHE)
Application Deadline
Please consult your county assessor’s office as each assessor sets its own deadline.
Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption
Application Deadline
Contact your chief county assessment officer (CCAO) to verify any due date for filing this application in your county. Contact information for county assessors can be found under contact details below.
Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program
The deferral is similar to a loan against the property's market value. The deferred amounts are borrowed from the State of Illinois, who then pays $7,500 of the current year's tax bill. To ensure repayment, a six percent (6%) simple interest rate is charged on the deferred amounts and a lien is filed on the property.
Deferred amounts must be repaid within one year of the settlement of the estate or at the time the property is sold or title is transferred.
Application Deadline
File an application from January through the cut-off date of March 1st each year.
Homeowner Exemption (Cook County)
Application Deadline
The regular deadline to file is closed, however homeowners can file for a Certificate of Error to correct past tax bills.
Senior Exemption (Cook County)
Application Deadline
The regular deadline to file is closed, however homeowners can file for a Certificate of Error to correct past tax bills.
Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (“Senior Freeze”) (Cook County)
Application Deadline
The regular deadline to file is closed, however homeowners can file for a Certificate of Error to correct past tax bills.
Persons with Disabilities Exemption (Cook County)
Application Deadline
The regular deadline to file is closed, however homeowners can file for a Certificate of Error to correct past tax bills.
Veterans with Disabilities Exemption (Cook County)
The automatic renewal of this exemption due to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. All applicants must reapply annually.
Application Deadline
The regular deadline to file is closed, however homeowners can file for a Certificate of Error to correct past tax bills.
Property Tax-Aide has independently selected the property tax relief programs featured on this website that we think are the most relevant and beneficial to older adults. It is not an exhaustive list of all property tax relief programs available in each state. Please consult your local tax agency for a comprehensive listing of property tax relief programs in your area.