Illinois Property Tax Exemptions Guide

Property taxes rank among the biggest expenses for Will County homeowners, and the bills here consistently land above the national average. Illinois doesn't offer a way to eliminate property taxes entirely for most residents. What it does provide are multiple exemption programs that reduce your equalized assessed value (EAV), which directly lowers your tax bill. The good news: Will County residents can stack several of these exemptions together for substantial savings.

This guide breaks down every exemption category available under Illinois law, who qualifies, and how to apply locally. For a broader overview of how property taxes work in our county, see our Will County property taxes guide.

General Homestead Exemption

This is the most common property tax exemption in Illinois, and virtually every homeowner should have it. The General Homestead Exemption reduces your property's EAV by $6,000, which translates to real savings on your tax bill depending on your local tax rate.

• Who qualifies: Any homeowner who uses the property as their primary residence
• EAV reduction: $6,000
• Application: One-time filing with the Will County Supervisor of Assessments. Once approved, it renews automatically each year as long as you remain in the home.
• Estimated savings: At a typical Will County tax rate near 8%, a $6,000 EAV reduction saves roughly $480 per year

If you own your home and haven't filed for this exemption yet, do it now. There's no income requirement, no age requirement, and no reason to leave money on the table.

Senior Exemptions

Illinois provides three separate property tax relief programs specifically for residents aged 65 and older. These can be combined with the General Homestead Exemption for compounding savings.

• Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption: An additional $5,000 EAV reduction for homeowners who turn 65 during or before the assessment year. Apply once and it renews automatically.
• Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (Senior Freeze): Locks your property's assessed value at its current level so your EAV doesn't climb year after year. Requires household income below the state threshold (currently around $65,000). Annual renewal required.
• Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program: Allows qualifying seniors to defer all or part of their property tax payments. The state pays the taxes on your behalf, and the amount becomes a lien on the property, repaid when the home is sold.

Each of these programs has its own application process and eligibility rules. We cover the details, income limits, and application steps in our senior property tax exemptions guide.

Veterans & Military Exemptions

Illinois offers some of the strongest property tax benefits in the country for veterans, particularly those with service-connected disabilities.

Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans

Available to veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or higher by the VA. Provides a $5,000 reduction in EAV. The veteran must own and occupy the property as a primary residence.

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

For veterans with more severe disabilities, the savings increase dramatically:

• 70% or higher VA disability rating: Up to $250,000 EAV reduction, which effectively eliminates property taxes for many homes
• 50-69% disability: Scaled reduction based on the VA rating percentage
• 30-49% disability: $2,500 EAV reduction
• 100% disabled: Full exemption up to $250,000 EAV, meaning most veterans at this level pay zero property taxes

Annual renewal is required, and you'll need documentation from the VA confirming your disability rating.

Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption

A temporary benefit for veterans returning from active duty. Provides a $5,000 EAV reduction for two consecutive years after returning from deployment. This applies even if the veteran has no service-connected disability.

Disability Exemptions

The Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption provides a $2,000 reduction in EAV for homeowners with disabilities. Qualifying conditions include those defined under federal Social Security standards. Key requirements:

• Must own and occupy the property as a primary residence
• Requires a physician's certification of disability
• Annual renewal with updated documentation

This exemption stacks with the General Homestead Exemption. If you're a disabled veteran, check whether the veterans' exemption provides a larger benefit before applying for this one separately.

Religious & Charitable Exemptions

Certain properties in Will County can qualify for full property tax exemption under Illinois law. These aren't for individual homeowners but for organizations:

• Religious institutions: Churches, mosques, synagogues, and other houses of worship are exempt on property used for religious purposes
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities: Qualifying nonprofit hospitals can receive full exemption
• Schools and educational institutions: Nonprofit schools and educational organizations
• Charitable organizations: Property used exclusively for charitable purposes by qualifying nonprofits

The key requirement is that the property must be used primarily for the exempt purpose. A church that rents out space for commercial use may lose its exemption on that portion of the property.

How to Stack Exemptions

One of the best features of Illinois property tax exemptions is that most of them combine. Here's a practical example:

A disabled veteran aged 65 or older could potentially combine the General Homestead, Senior Homestead, and Disabled Veterans' exemptions for even greater savings. There's no penalty for applying to multiple programs as long as you meet each one's requirements.

Where to Apply in Will County

All property tax exemption applications in Will County go through one office:

• Office: Will County Supervisor of Assessments
• Address: 58 E. Clinton Street, Joliet, IL 60432
• Phone: (815) 740-4648
• Website: willcountyassessor.com

Bring proof of residency (utility bill or driver's license with current address), property deed or closing documents, and any program-specific documentation such as VA disability letters or physician certifications. Most exemptions can be filed in person or by mail.