There are several exemptions available to provide tax relief to homeowners. These exemptions either reduce or defer an increase in the equalized value of your property. The net effect of these exemptions is to lower the assessed valuation to which the tax rate is then applied. Eligibility requirements and application procedures vary for each program. You can verify your exemptions online or from your last tax bill.

The Chief County Assessment Office has authority to recapture taxable value in instances where property owners have received homestead benefits erroneously.

• General Homestead Exemption
  This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $8,000. The property must be the principal residence of the owner and can only be claimed on one property. You can apply for the exemption online or at the Township Assessor’s office.
• Home Improvement Exemption
  This exemption defers, for four years, any increase in the assessment of your property due to an addition or other improvement to your home for which the Township Assessor would add value. A maximum of $25,000 of assessed value may be deferred under this program. Your local Township Assessor initiates this exemption.
• Senior Homestead Exemption
  This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $8,000 for those at least 65 years of age by December 31 of the assessment year. This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption. There is no annual renewal for this exemption.
  
  Applicants will need to provide proof of age (ex. driver's license, state ID), and proof of ownership (copy of the deed). If the property is in a trust, we must verify that the applicant is a beneficiary of that trust. The exemptions cannot be applied without this verification. Please include a copy of that part of the actual trust agreement which states that the applicant is a beneficiary. This can usually be found on the first few pages of the trust document. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Township Assessor.
  
  You can apply for the exemption online or at the Township Assessor’s office.
• Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze
  This exemption freezes the assessment of your home, but does not freeze the tax rate. This exemption may be claimed in addition to those described above. The actual taxes you pay may continue to increase based on the amounts levied by the taxing bodies where you reside (school districts, park districts, county, village/city, township, etc.).
  
  The base assessment used in the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption initially equals the assessed value from the prior year tax calculation. In subsequent years, if the new assessed value is lower than their original base value, the new lower value becomes the new base amount. Because this exemption provides for a base year frozen assessment, it will potentially provide increased savings each year a senior is eligible.
  
  To qualify, applicants must be at least 65 years of age by December 31st of the assessment year, own the property as their principal residence for the past two January 1, and have a total household income of $75,000 or less.
  
  You can apply for the exemption online or at the Township Assessor’s office. This exemption must be renewed on an annual basis.
• Disabled Persons Exemption
  Annually exempts $2,000 from assessed value of the property and may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption and the Senior Homestead Exemption, if applicable. This exemption cannot be claimed in addition to the Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Veterans' Exemption up to $100,000; you can only receive one of these exemptions and, if you are a veteran, you should choose to apply for the one most beneficial to you.
  
  To qualify, applicants must own the property as their principal residence on or before January 1st of the tax year. Be disabled under the Federal Social Security Act and supply required documentation. A copy of your Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card stating Class 2 disability, Proof of Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits, Proof of Veterans Administration disability benefits showing a total 100% disability, or Proof of Railroad or Civil Service disability benefits showing a total 100% disability.
  
  You can apply for the exemption online or at the Township Assessor’s office. An annual verification of eligibility must be filled out each year in order to continue to receive the exemption. The Chief County Assessment Office will mail this verification form each year to all applicants who received the exemption in the prior year.
• Returning Veterans Exemption
  Provides a $5,000 reduction from the assessed value of the veteran’s principal residence for two consecutive assessment years, the tax year and the following year that the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the United States.
  
  To qualify, applicants must be an Illinois resident who has served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces, have returned from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the U.S., have owned or had a legal or equitable interest in the land on which a single-family residence is situated and used as your principal place of residence on January 1 of the assessment years, and be liable for the payment of the property taxes. You can apply for the exemption online or at the Township Assessor’s office.
• Disabled Veterans Standard Exemption
  This exemption provides a reduction in equalized assessed value (outlined below) of a primary residence occupied by a veteran with a disability, a World War II veteran or the surviving spouse. This exemption can be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption and the Senior Homestead Exemption. However, it cannot be claimed in addition to the Disabled Veterans Exemption (specifically adaptive housing) of $100,000, or the Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities.
  
  • A disabled veteran with a 70% or higher service-connected disability will receive up to $250,000 reduction in the property's EAV. If your tax bill shows a drainage district or a special service area in your list of Taxing Bodies, you may still be charged by them.
  • A disabled veteran with at least 50%, but less than 70% service-connected disability will receive a $5,000 reduction in the property's EAV.
  • A disabled veteran with at least 30%, but less than 50% service-connected disability will receive a $2,500 reduction in property's EAV.
  To qualify for the SHEVD, applicants must:
  
  • Own and occupy a home in Lake County, IL as a primary residence and have served in the United States Armed Forces, The Illinois National Guard or U.S. Reserves Forces.
  • Attach documentation as outlined in the application
  An un-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran can receive this exemption on his or her spouse's homestead property or transfer the exemption to a new primary residence. To qualify, the surviving spouse must meet the following requirement:
  
  • Sell the disabled veteran's previous homestead property before transferring this exemption to his or her new primary residence
  • If the surviving spouse sells the property, an exemption not to exceed the amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be transferred to his or her new residence as long as it is used as his or her primary residence and he or she does not remarry.
  For more information on how to get your VA letter click here.
  
  To apply:
  All applications must be submitted online through the Smartfile E-Filing Portal. You can receive assistance by phone or in person by calling or visiting the Chief County Assessment Office or the local township assessor's office. An annual verification of eligibility must be filled out each year in order to continue to receive the exemption, unless WWII or 100% permanently and totally disabled. The Chief County Assessment Office will mail a reminder each year to all applicants who received the exemption the prior year and require a renewal. To start the application process:
  
  • Go to the Chief County Assessment Office Smartfile E-Filing Portal
  • Log in to your account, create a new account, or log in as a guest
  • • EX01: Homestead Exemption Application (First time applicant only) or
    • EX03: Disabled Persons or Disabled Veterans Renewal
  • Click “Begin Filing” and follow the instructions
  Note: Exemptions do not transfer to newly assigned pin(s). To continue receiving the exemptions granted on an existing pin, please apply for the exemption under the newly assigned pin number.
  
  35 ILCS 200/15-169
  
  Properties Held in Trust
  When you are applying for a new exemption and the property is held in trust, we must verify that the applicant is a current living beneficiary of that trust. The exemptions cannot be applied without this verification. Please include a copy of that part of the actual trust agreement which states that the applicant is a beneficiary. This can usually be found on the first few pages of the trust document.
  
• Disabled Veterans Exemption (Special Adapted Housing)
  Under this program, up to $100,000 of the equalized assessed value of a home owned by a qualifying veteran or the veteran’s spouse or unmarried surviving spouse, is exempt from property taxes. To qualify for this exemption, you must have a disability of such nature that the Federal Government has authorized payment for the purchase or construction of housing which has special adaptations to meet the needs of your disability.
  
  You apply for this exemption through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Once the exemption has been approved, the Chief County Assessment Office is notified by the Illinois Department of Revenue of the veterans eligible for this program. Please note that you are only eligible if you live in specially adapted housing that the Federal Government authorized payment for due to your disability. If you qualify, this exemption must be renewed each year.
  
  You may obtain the required forms for specially adapted housing from the:
  
  Veteran's Affairs Medical Center - North Chicago
  Building 135, Ground Floor
  3001 Green Bay Road
  North Chicago, IL 60064
  Phone: 847-689-4153