Exemptions

Exemptions

The State of Illinois Real Estate Tax Exemption Programs: Scroll down to view a list of property tax exemption programs available. Not all qualifying criteria is provided. Please inquire for more detailed information.

General Homestead

Lowers the equalized assessment value of your property by $6,000

  • Must be owner occupied by Jan. 1 of the tax year
  • Contract for deed sale

Homestead Improvement

A maximum of $25,000 assessed value or $75,000 "Market Value". This exemption defers for four years any increase in the assessment of your property due an addition or other improvement to your property.

  • Must be the owner occupied.
  • Two different improvements on the same property can run concurrently as long as $45,000 is not exceeded

Senior Homestead Exemption

Lowers the equalized assessed value of your property an additional $5,000 for seniors. In the calendar year that your will be turning 65 years of age you can apply for this exemption.

  • Must have reached age 65 during the tax year.
  • Must be owner occupied.

Please call Will County Supervisor of Assessments Office at
(815) 740-4648 to inquire what paper work you will need to bring with you. That office is located in the Will County Building located at 302 N. Chicago St. downtown Joliet.

Senior Freeze Exemption

In the Calendar year that you will be turning 65 years of age you can apply for this exemption. Must be age 65 or older.

  • The maximum household income is $65,000
  • Must be your principal dwelling place as of Jan. 1 of the tax year.

In your qualifying year the property is given a base year assessment. The base year assessment minus the General Homestead and Regular Senior Exemption is used to complete the tax bill amount. The base year assessment remains unchanged until the property sells, is altered by adding or removing improvements, or the seniors's income for a year goes over the income threshold. Please call the Will County Supervisor of Assessments Office (815) 740-4648 to inquire what paper work you need to bring with you. That office is located in the Will County Building located at 302 N. Chicago St. downtown Joliet.

Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption

Veterans with a service connected disability of 30% or more will qualify for an exemption of 2,500 off the assessed value. The exemption amount for a service connected disability of 50% or more is 5,000 off the assessed value. Veterans’ with a 70% service connected disability or more will receive a total exemption.

Please note: This exemption requires annual renewal. Renewal forms are mailed in April.

Disabled Veterans’ Adapted Housing Exemptions

This exemption for specially adapted housing is established by contacting the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Returning Veterans homestead Exemption

This exemption reduces your assessed value on your primary residence by 5,000. This 2-year exemption is for the taxable year that the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the United States. It automatically continues to the next year.

Disabled Persons’ Exemption

This exemption reduces your assessed value on your primary residence by 2,000. A disabled person cannot participate in any “substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which will result in the person’s death or that will last for at least 12 continuous months.”

Please note: This exemption requires annual renewal. Renewal forms are mailed in April.