Illinois Homestead Exemption: Rules & Savings

Illinois statewide guide • 2026 assessment year

Illinois Homestead Exemption: 2026 Rules, Savings, Forms & County Differences

Searching for the homestead exemption in Illinois can be confusing because Illinois does not use one statewide dollar amount, one application or one filing deadline. Your maximum General Homestead Exemption depends on where the property is located, and senior, disability, veteran, improvement and disaster exemptions all have different qualifications and renewal rules.

Illinois homestead exemptions generally reduce equalized assessed value (EAV), not the property’s market value and not the tax bill dollar-for-dollar.

2026 quick answer: the General Homestead Exemption maximum remains $10,000 of EAV in Cook County, $8,000 in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, and $6,000 in the other Illinois counties. It is based on the increase in current EAV over the property’s 1977 EAV, subject to those maximums.
Important 2026 correction: bills introduced in Springfield proposed increasing the General Homestead Exemption to $10,000 statewide, but those proposals have not become current law. Do not replace the $10,000 / $8,000 / $6,000 structure with a proposed statewide amount.
$10,000 Cook County Maximum General Homestead EAV reduction.
$8,000 Collar counties DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will.
$6,000 Other counties Maximum General Homestead EAV reduction.
$75,000 2026 Senior Freeze Maximum household income for tax year 2026.
$75,000 Improvement value Maximum qualifying fair-cash-value increase protected for four years.
Jan. 1 Occupancy date Key date for most Illinois homestead qualification.
Choose your exact task

What Are You Trying to Do?

Practical statewide workflow

Illinois Homestead Search → Apply → Verify Workflow

1 Find parcel Use PIN / parcel number.
2 Check EAV Understand assessment first.
3 Check exemptions General + special benefits.
4 Find office CCAO / county assessor.
5 File Use county procedure.
6 Verify Assessment record + tax bill.
General Homestead Exemption eligibility

Who Qualifies for the Illinois General Homestead Exemption?

Illinois law makes the exemption available to qualifying residential property occupied as the owner’s principal dwelling place.

You occupy the property as your principal residence. A vacation home or ordinary investment property is not treated as your homestead.
You generally occupied it on January 1. January 1 of the assessment year is the key qualification date.
You have an ownership interest. Legal or equitable ownership can qualify under the statute.
Certain leasehold situations can qualify. A leasehold involving a single-family residence can qualify where the resident has the required ownership/lease interest and liability for the taxes.
Illinois assessment training guidance says only one General Homestead Exemption can be received per parcel. Married couples living separately may have to divide the exemption between the two properties under the applicable rules.
Current statewide structure

Illinois General Homestead Exemption Amount by County

Location
Maximum GHE
Counties
Cook County
$10,000 EAV
Cook County only.
Collar counties
$8,000 EAV
DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will.
All other Illinois counties
$6,000 EAV
Remaining Illinois counties.
These figures are maximum reductions. Statutory General Homestead relief is calculated as the increase in current EAV above the property’s 1977 EAV, limited by the applicable county maximum.
Do not publish $10,000 statewide as current law. Legislation introduced in 2026 proposed that change, but the proposals remained in the legislative process rather than becoming the current General Homestead Exemption rule.
Visual comparison

Maximum General Homestead Exemption by Illinois Region

Illinois General Homestead Exemption maximums by region Bar chart showing a ten thousand dollar maximum EAV reduction in Cook County, eight thousand dollars in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, and six thousand dollars in other Illinois counties. Maximum General Homestead EAV Reduction Cook County $10,000 Collar Counties $8,000 Other Counties $6,000 Collar counties: DuPage • Kane • Lake • McHenry • Will

These are maximum General Homestead reductions in equalized assessed value, not cash rebates.

Understand the number that exemptions actually reduce

What Is Equalized Assessed Value?

Illinois homestead exemptions generally reduce equalized assessed value (EAV).

This is different from the market value shown on an assessor’s property record.

Fair Market Value The estimated market value of the property.
Assessed Value Most Illinois property outside Cook County is assessed at the statutory 33 1/3% level, subject to applicable rules.
State Equalization Factor A multiplier can be applied to help bring assessment levels to the statewide statutory level.
Equalized Assessed Value The equalized assessment before applicable exemptions are deducted.
Exemptions Homestead and other qualifying reductions are deducted from EAV.
Taxable EAV The value remaining before local tax rates are applied.
Cook County is different. Cook uses property classifications; residential property is assessed differently from most other Illinois counties and then the state equalization process is applied. Do not calculate a Cook County bill by simply multiplying market value by 33 1/3%.
Tax calculation visual

How an Illinois Homestead Exemption Reaches Your Tax Bill

Illinois property tax value flow Diagram showing market value leading to assessed value, equalized assessed value, homestead exemptions, taxable EAV and the tax rate. Illinois Property Tax Calculation MARKET VALUE ASSESSED VALUE EQUALIZED EAV − exemption TAXABLE EAV × tax rate PROPERTY TAX Homestead exemptions reduce EAV — they do not directly subtract the exemption amount from the bill.
Estimate the actual dollar benefit

How Much Can an Illinois Homestead Exemption Save?

Once you know the EAV reduction and the combined tax rate on the parcel, the math becomes much easier.

Basic savings formula
EAV Exemption × Property Tax Rate = Approximate Annual Tax Reduction
Cook County example

Maximum GHE: $10,000 EAV

Example tax rate: 7%

$10,000 × .07 = $700

Approximate example savings: $700.

Collar-county example

Maximum GHE: $8,000

Example rate: 8%

$8,000 × .08 = $640

Approximate example savings: $640.

Other-county example

Maximum GHE: $6,000

Example rate: 7.5%

$6,000 × .075 = $450

Approximate example savings: $450.

These are illustrative rates—not county tax quotes. Illinois has no single statewide property-tax rate. The rate depends on the taxing districts attached to your parcel.

Illinois Tax Year vs. Payable Year

Illinois property-tax terminology causes frequent mistakes because assessments and payments operate on a two-year cycle.

Year
What happens
Why it matters
2026 assessment / tax year
Property is valued and exemption eligibility is determined for 2026.
January 1, 2026 occupancy and current 2026 exemption rules apply.
2027 payable year
Most taxes generated from the 2026 assessment are billed/paid in 2027.
A form saying “tax year 2026” may affect a bill you physically pay in 2027.
When talking to a county office, say both the assessment year and the bill/payable year if there is any possibility of confusion.
Illinois property tax is locally administered

Which Office Handles Your Homestead Exemption?

Illinois Department of Revenue publishes statewide law and guidance, but individual residential exemption applications are administered locally.

Your task
Correct office
Use that office for
Homestead exemption
Chief County Assessment Office
General, senior, disability, veteran, improvement and disaster exemption administration.
Initial property value
Township/Multi-township Assessor or County Assessor
Property record card, assessed value and property characteristics.
Formal assessment complaint
County Board of Review
Formal assessment appeals within the county filing period.
Tax bill / payment
County Treasurer / Collector
Tax bills, payments, delinquency and senior tax deferral.
Deed / ownership record
County Recorder / Clerk recording division
Recorded deed and other land documents—not exemption approval.
IDOR
Illinois Department of Revenue — Property Tax State rules, assessment information, exemptions and appeal guidance.
Open Official Illinois Property Tax Page
Application workflow

How to Apply for an Illinois Homestead Exemption

Find your parcel number. Use the PIN, parcel number or permanent index number shown on your assessment notice or property-tax bill.
Open your county’s official assessment website. Do not start with a commercial property-data service.
Search the exact property. Match address, parcel number and ownership.
Review existing exemptions. Look for General Homestead, Senior, Senior Freeze, disability or veteran codes.
Identify the Chief County Assessment Office. The local title may be Supervisor of Assessments, County Assessor or similar.
Open the office’s Homestead or Exemptions section.
Check whether a General Homestead application is required locally. Illinois statute does not require every county to use the same initial application process.
Select every additional exemption for which you may qualify. Senior, Freeze, disability and veteran benefits are separate programs.
Read the local deadline. There is no single statewide General Homestead filing deadline that should be copied onto every county page.
Submit through the approved county route. Online, mail or in-person options differ by county.
Save filing proof. Keep confirmation number, PDF, email, certified-mail receipt or stamped copy.
Verify the exemption on the assessment/tax record. Do not assume submission means approval.
Prepare before opening the county application

Illinois Homestead Filing Checklist

PIN / parcel number Copy it exactly from the assessment notice or tax bill.
Property address Include unit number for condominiums where applicable.
Owner’s legal name Match the property/deed record.
Ownership interest Keep deed, contract or other ownership evidence available.
Principal-residence evidence Counties can request identification or occupancy documentation.
January 1 occupancy Know whether you occupied the property on the relevant assessment date.
Age evidence Needed for senior benefits.
Household-income records Required for the Senior Assessment Freeze.
Disability evidence Required with PTAX-343 or county equivalent.
VA/service documentation Needed for veteran-related exemptions.
Improvement information Completion/occupancy dates and improvement value where relevant.
Prior-year bill or assessment Useful for checking whether an exemption disappeared.
Age 65+

Illinois Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption

This exemption is separate from the General Homestead Exemption and can reduce EAV further for a qualifying resident age 65 or older.

Location
Maximum Senior Exemption
2026 filing point
Cook County
$8,000 EAV
Follow Cook County Assessor’s current application/renewal process.
DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will
$8,000 EAV
Follow the county Chief Assessment Office’s procedure.
Other Illinois counties
$5,000 EAV
Local filing/renewal rules apply.
Counties may use PTAX-324 for an initial Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption application and PTAX-329 for annual status verification where required. Filing practices differ by county.
Senior strategy: someone age 65 or older should check both the ordinary Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption and the income-based Senior Assessment Freeze. They solve different problems.
Important 2026 change

Illinois Senior Assessment Freeze: $75,000 Income Limit for 2026

The Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption can protect a qualifying senior’s EAV from inflationary increases by establishing a base-year EAV.

Tax year 2026: the maximum household income is $75,000. For tax year 2027 it rises to $77,000, and for tax year 2028 and thereafter current law provides $79,000.
Age 65 or older Applicant must satisfy the statutory age requirement.
2026 household income ≤ $75,000 Household income—not just the applicant’s wages—is relevant.
Qualifying ownership/occupancy Additional statutory residence requirements apply.
Annual application required File PTAX-340 every qualifying year.

What does “freeze” mean?

The exemption generally prevents the qualifying EAV from increasing above the senior’s base-year EAV due to inflation while eligibility continues.

It does not freeze the tax bill. Taxes can still rise if tax rates increase or qualifying improvements are added to the property.
Simplified Senior Freeze example

Current EAV before freeze: $95,000

Qualifying base-year EAV: $80,000

Potential Freeze exemption = $95,000 − $80,000 = $15,000

Actual administration and additions to value are governed by the county and the statutory rules.

Persons with Disabilities

Illinois Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities

A qualifying person with a disability can receive an annual $2,000 reduction in EAV on the primary residence.

Request or download the county’s PTAX-343 procedure.
Complete PTAX-343 for the initial application.
Attach the required proof of disability.
File with the Chief County Assessment Office.
Renew every year. Illinois uses PTAX-343-R for annual verification.
A property cannot receive this disability exemption in the same tax year that it receives the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities or the specially adapted housing exemption.
PWD
IDOR Disability & Veteran Property Tax Relief Official statewide eligibility overview.
Open Official Disability / Veteran Guide
Veteran homestead relief

Illinois Veteran Property Tax Exemptions

Illinois provides several different veteran programs. The correct one depends on disability percentage, service circumstances and the property.

Program / rating
Benefit
Important requirement
30%–49% service-connected disability
$2,500 EAV reduction
Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities.
50%–69%
$5,000 EAV reduction
VA-certified service-connected disability.
70% or more
First $250,000 of residential EAV exempt
Primary-residence and statutory EAV/commercial-use rules apply.
Returning Veteran
$5,000 EAV reduction
Generally available for the return year and following year; PTAX-341.
Specially Adapted Housing
Up to $100,000 assessed-value reduction
Special housing/federal assistance qualifications apply.
Illinois law also protects qualifying unmarried surviving spouses in several veteran situations. A surviving spouse may be able to continue or transfer the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities when statutory requirements are satisfied.
For tax years beginning in 2024, current IDOR guidance also provides a special rule for qualifying World War II veterans under the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities.
Often overlooked

Accessibility Improvements Can Avoid an Assessment Increase for 7 Years

Illinois provides separate protection for qualifying accessibility improvements made for an elderly person or person with a disability.

Examples identified by IDOR include:

Wheelchair ramps Grab bars Widened doorways Accessibility modifications Independence-related improvements
Qualifying accessibility improvements do not increase the property’s assessed valuation for seven years after completion.
Renovated or expanded home?

Illinois Homestead Improvement Exemption

A qualifying new improvement to an existing homestead—or qualifying rebuilding after a catastrophic event—can receive temporary assessment relief.

$75,000 Fair cash value Maximum added value protected annually.
$25,000 Assessed value Equivalent at 33 1/3% assessment level.
4 years Duration From completion and occupancy.
Room addition Added value may qualify within statutory limits.
Major remodeling A qualifying assessed increase from improvement can receive relief.
Catastrophic rebuilding Rebuilt residential improvements can qualify when requirements are met.
Ordinary maintenance Normal repair/maintenance is not necessarily treated as a taxable new improvement.
Some counties grant the Homestead Improvement Exemption automatically; others require PTAX-323.
Cook County exception: IDOR states that a Cook County application must be filed with the County Assessor along with a valuation complaint. Owners elsewhere should contact the Chief County Assessment Office.
Rebuilt after a widespread natural disaster

Illinois Natural Disaster Homestead Exemption

Illinois provides a separate exemption for qualifying homestead property where a residential structure is rebuilt following a widespread natural disaster.

The calculation compares the rebuilt residence’s EAV in the first qualifying exemption year with the residence’s EAV before the disaster.

Confirm the event qualifies as a widespread natural disaster.
Complete the rebuilding.
Request Form PTAX-327.
File with the Chief County Assessment Office.
File by July 1 of the first taxable year after rebuilding or the county’s applicable filing date.
Renew annually. PTAX-327 must continue to be filed to retain the exemption.
The exemption generally continues at the established amount until the property is sold or transferred.
Cook County requires its own workflow

Cook County Homestead Rules That Differ From the Rest of Illinois

$10,000 General Homestead maximum Higher than the $8,000 collar-county and $6,000 other-county maximums.
$8,000 Senior Homestead maximum Same current maximum as the five collar counties.
Classification assessment system Cook residential assessment does not begin with the same direct 33 1/3% local assessment approach used for most property elsewhere.
State equalization factor The state applies an annual Cook County equalization factor.
Separate Assessor filing system Cook County Assessor manages homeowner and other exemption applications.
Cook-only Longtime Homeowner benefit The Long-Time Occupant Homestead Exemption is a separate Cook County program.

Cook County Long-Time Occupant Homestead Exemption

Current Illinois guidance describes this Cook-only exemption for certain homeowners with total household income of $100,000 or less who have continuously occupied the residence for:

  • at least 10 years; or
  • at least 5 years where the owner received qualifying government or nonprofit housing assistance to acquire the home.

Current guidance describes an EAV-growth limitation of 7% for qualifying household income of $75,000 or less and 10% where qualifying household income is above $75,000 but not more than $100,000.

The Cook Long-Time Occupant exemption has interaction rules with the General Homestead and Senior Freeze. Do not simply add every exemption amount together.
Already researching a Cook County property?

Use our detailed Cook County property guide for PIN search, exemption history, assessment values, appeals, tax bills and official county portals.

Cook County Property Search & Appraisal Guide
Senior cash-flow option — not an exemption

Illinois Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program

A tax deferral is fundamentally different from the Senior Homestead Exemption or Senior Freeze.

Under the deferral program, Illinois pays qualifying property taxes to the county and places a lien on the property. The deferred amount is later repaid.

2026 rule
Current requirement
Why it matters
Age
Age 65 by June 1 of filing year
Different timing from ordinary homestead qualification.
Household income
$77,000 or less for tax year 2026
Do not confuse with the $75,000 2026 Senior Freeze limit.
Ownership / occupancy
Generally owned and occupied qualifying Illinois residence for at least 3 years
New purchasers normally cannot immediately use the program.
Interest
3% simple interest for tax years 2023 and after
Deferral grows as a lien obligation.
Annual deferral
Up to $7,500
There is also an overall equity limitation.
Equity limit
Deferred tax, interest and lien fees cannot exceed 80% of equity interest
Property equity constrains continued deferral.
Application deadline: IDOR says the required deferral forms are available from the County Collector after January 1 and must be completed by March 1 each year.
Forms include IL-1017, Application for Deferral of Real Estate/Special Assessment Taxes, and IL-1018, Real Estate/Special Assessment Tax Deferral and Recovery Agreement.
65+
Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Official Illinois Department of Revenue program guide.
Open Official Senior Deferral Guide

Senior Homestead vs. Senior Freeze vs. Senior Deferral

Program
What it does
Key 2026 point
Senior Homestead
Fixed EAV reduction
$8,000 Cook/collar counties; $5,000 elsewhere.
Senior Assessment Freeze
Protects qualifying base-year EAV from inflationary increases
Household income ≤ $75,000; PTAX-340 filed annually.
Senior Tax Deferral
Postpones payment through a state-backed lien
Household income ≤ $77,000; 3% interest; March 1 filing.
A freeze is not a deferral, and a deferral is not a tax exemption.
Common Illinois misconception

PTELL Does Not Cap Your Individual Property Tax Bill

Illinois’ Property Tax Extension Limitation Law is often called a “tax cap,” but IDOR warns that description can be misleading.

PTELL limits growth in property-tax extensions for covered non-home-rule taxing districts. It does not impose a direct cap on:

  • your home’s market value;
  • your individual assessed value; or
  • your individual property-tax bill.
Cook County and the five collar counties are subject to PTELL. Other counties may be subject to PTELL through referendum.
New homeowner due diligence

Do Not Assume the Seller’s Exemptions Transfer to You

The prior owner’s tax bill may contain exemptions based on that person’s residence, age, income, disability or veteran status.

Search the parcel after closing.
Review the exemption history.
Identify benefits belonging to the seller. Senior Freeze and veteran relief can materially change the old tax bill.
Check whether you occupied the property on January 1.
Contact the assessment office about your own application.
Budget using your expected exemptions—not the seller’s.
A deed showing you as the new owner does not automatically establish every personal exemption for which you may qualify.
Tax bill suddenly increased?

How to Check Whether an Illinois Homestead Exemption Was Removed

IDOR identifies removal of a homestead exemption as one reason a property owner’s assessment/tax burden may increase.

Get last year’s property-tax bill.
Get the current assessment record or bill.
Compare EAV before exemptions.
Compare every exemption line. Check General, Senior, Freeze, disability and veteran benefits separately.
Confirm the correct assessment year.
Contact the Chief County Assessment Office. Ask why the exemption was removed or reduced.
Ask about the county’s correction procedure. Do not assume a normal new application is always the correct remedy for an already-issued bill.
IDOR’s current property-tax guide says erroneous homestead exemptions can result in recovery of unpaid taxes. In Cook County, the Assessor can also have special erroneous-exemption lien procedures.
Value problem vs exemption problem

Should You File an Illinois Property Tax Appeal?

A homestead application and an assessment appeal are different processes.

If the exemption is missing, contact the county assessment office about the exemption first.

If the assessed value itself is too high, Illinois’ formal assessment appeal begins locally.

Obtain the property record card.
Check factual data. Review square footage, lot size, construction, condition and property class.
Talk to the local assessor. An error may be corrected before assessment books move to the Board of Review.
Find the county Board of Review deadline. Illinois does not use one universal statewide appeal deadline.
Collect evidence. Comparable sales, property record cards, photos, appraisal, deed or purchase contract can be relevant.
File the county complaint. IDOR identifies PTAX-230 as the statewide non-farm assessment complaint form.
Preserve further appeal rights. A county Board of Review appeal is generally required before further appeal to the Property Tax Appeal Board or circuit court.
BOR
Illinois Property Assessment Appeals Official state explanation of the local appeal process.
Open Official Appeal Guide
There is no single Illinois exemption deadline

Important Filing Rules by Program

General Homestead State law does not require one universal application deadline. If your county requires an initial application, use that county’s deadline.
Senior Homestead Filing and renewal requirements vary by county.
Senior Freeze PTAX-340 is required every year; county deadline applies.
Disability Initial PTAX-343 plus annual PTAX-343-R verification.
Returning Veteran File PTAX-341 with the Chief County Assessment Office.
Natural Disaster Initial PTAX-327 generally by July 1 of the first taxable year after rebuilding or the county-established filing date; annual filing continues.
Senior Deferral Forms must be completed with the County Collector by March 1 each year.
Statewide benefit matrix

Illinois Homestead & Related Relief Programs at a Glance

Program
Benefit
Key action
General Homestead
$10k Cook / $8k collar / $6k other maximum EAV reduction
Check county application requirement.
Senior Homestead
$8k Cook/collar; $5k other counties
Age 65+; county filing process.
Senior Assessment Freeze
Protects qualifying base-year EAV
2026 income ≤ $75k; PTAX-340 annually.
Persons with Disabilities
$2,000 EAV reduction
PTAX-343 initial; PTAX-343-R annual renewal.
Veteran 30%–49%
$2,500 EAV reduction
Use veteran exemption application with VA evidence.
Veteran 50%–69%
$5,000 EAV reduction
Use veteran exemption application with VA evidence.
Veteran 70%+
First $250,000 of qualifying residential EAV exempt
Confirm current county SHEVD documentation.
Returning Veteran
$5,000 EAV for qualifying two-year period
File PTAX-341.
Specially Adapted Housing
Up to $100,000 assessed-value reduction
Check VA / Veteran Service Officer qualification.
Home Improvement
Up to $75k fair cash value / $25k assessed value for 4 years
Automatic in some counties; otherwise PTAX-323.
Accessibility Improvements
No assessment increase from qualifying improvement for 7 years
Ask CCAO for local procedure.
Natural Disaster
EAV protection after qualifying rebuild
PTAX-327 initially and annually.
Before you consider the task complete

Illinois Homestead Verification Checklist

Correct parcel Address and PIN match.
Correct assessment year Do not confuse payable year.
General Homestead appears Verify applicable EAV reduction.
Senior exemption appears Check separately if age 65+.
Senior Freeze renewed It requires annual filing.
Disability renewal completed PTAX-343-R may be required annually.
Veteran benefit reflects correct rating Check VA disability percentage.
Improvement relief checked Especially after renovation/addition.
EAV compared year over year Identify assessment vs exemption changes.
Tax rate compared separately A rising rate can increase tax even when exemptions remain.
Already-published Illinois guides

Continue With the Property or Deed Record

Cook County Property Search & Appraisal Records

Search by 14-digit PIN or address, review exemption history, assessed values, appeals, refunds and tax records.

Read Cook County Property Guide
Cook County Recorder / Clerk Land Records

Use recorded deeds and land records when ownership information on an assessment record needs to be verified.

Read Cook County Recorder Guide
DuPage County Recorder

Search deeds by address, PIN, owner, document number and other recorded land-record identifiers.

Read DuPage Recorder Guide
Why deed research can matter

Assessment records are useful for tax administration, but recorded deeds are the stronger source when confirming legal ownership history.

See an Illinois deed-search example
Official research ledger

Illinois Government Sources Used for This Guide

PIO
IDOR Property Tax Relief — PIO-74 General, senior, disability, veteran, improvement, disaster and Senior Freeze rules.
Open Official Exemption Guide
2026
The Illinois Property Tax System Current PTAX-1004 (R-01/26) property tax cycle and exemption guide.
Open 2026 Property Tax Guide
LAW
35 ILCS 200/15-175 Current General Homestead Exemption statute.
Open Current Statute
VET
Veteran & Disability Property Tax Relief IDOR veteran, disability and accessibility guidance.
Open Veteran / Disability Guide
65+
Senior Real Estate Tax Deferral 2026 income limit, March 1 filing, $7,500 annual maximum and 3% interest.
Open Senior Deferral Guide
BOR
Illinois Property Assessment Appeals Informal review, Board of Review, PTAX-230 and further appeal routes.
Open Assessment Appeal Guide
EAV
IDOR Property Tax Information Assessment ratios, local property-tax administration and resources.
Open Property Tax Resources
PROP
Illinois Department of Revenue Property Tax State property-tax hub and local-administration explanation.
Open IDOR Property Tax
Reviewed August 22, 2026. Exemption maximums are established by Illinois law, while applications, deadlines, renewal procedures, assessment databases and corrections are administered locally. Always use your county’s current assessment office instructions for the final filing.
Independent-site notice

About This Illinois Homestead Guide

County-CAD.us is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Illinois Department of Revenue, Cook County Assessor, a county Supervisor of Assessments, township assessor, Board of Review, County Treasurer, Recorder or another government agency.

Government resources above are provided so homeowners can complete the final search, application, appeal or payment through the responsible office.

Sources & Methodology Review our source standards
Report an outdated rule Contact County-CAD.us
10 Illinois homestead questions

Illinois Homestead Exemption FAQs

1. How much is the Illinois homestead exemption in 2026?

The General Homestead Exemption maximum is $10,000 of equalized assessed value in Cook County, $8,000 in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, and $6,000 in all other Illinois counties. The statutory calculation is the increase in current EAV above the property’s 1977 EAV, subject to the applicable maximum.

2. Is the Illinois homestead exemption $10,000 statewide?

No. Bills introduced in 2026 proposed changing the General Homestead Exemption to $10,000 statewide, but those proposals have not become current law. The present structure remains $10,000 maximum in Cook County, $8,000 in the five collar counties and $6,000 elsewhere.

3. Is there one Illinois homestead exemption filing deadline?

No. State law does not impose one universal application deadline for the General Homestead Exemption. A county can require an initial application and establish its filing procedure and deadline. Other programs have separate requirements; for example, the Senior Freeze requires an annual PTAX-340 application and Senior Tax Deferral applications are due to the County Collector by March 1.

4. What is the Illinois Senior Homestead Exemption in 2026?

A qualifying homeowner age 65 or older can receive a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption of up to $8,000 of EAV in Cook County and the five counties contiguous to Cook County—DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will—and up to $5,000 in other Illinois counties. Filing and renewal procedures vary by county.

5. What is the Illinois Senior Freeze income limit for 2026?

For tax year 2026, the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption has a maximum household-income limit of $75,000. Current law provides $77,000 for tax year 2027 and $79,000 for tax year 2028 and thereafter. A qualifying applicant must file PTAX-340 every year.

6. Does the Illinois Senior Freeze freeze my property-tax bill?

No. The program generally freezes a qualifying property’s EAV at its base-year level against inflationary assessment increases while eligibility continues. The tax bill can still increase because of higher tax rates or qualifying improvements added to the property.

7. How much is the Illinois disability homestead exemption?

The Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities provides a $2,000 annual reduction in EAV for a qualifying primary residence. The initial application uses PTAX-343 with proof of disability, and eligibility is renewed annually using PTAX-343-R. It cannot be combined in the same tax year with certain veteran disability exemptions.

8. What is the Illinois Homestead Improvement Exemption?

The Homestead Improvement Exemption can protect up to $75,000 of fair cash value added by a qualifying improvement, equivalent to $25,000 of assessed value at the standard one-third assessment level. The exemption lasts four years from completion and occupancy. Some counties grant it automatically; others require PTAX-323. Cook County has a different application process through the Assessor.

9. What is the income limit for Illinois Senior Property Tax Deferral in 2026?

The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program uses a $77,000 maximum household-income limit for tax year 2026. This is different from the $75,000 Senior Assessment Freeze limit. The deferral carries 3% simple interest, is secured by a property lien, has a $7,500 annual deferral maximum and requires annual filing with the County Collector by March 1.

10. What should I do if my Illinois homestead exemption is missing?

Compare the current parcel record and tax bill with the prior year, verify the correct assessment year and determine which exemption disappeared. Contact the Chief County Assessment Office rather than the Treasurer for exemption eligibility or correction. If the problem is the underlying assessed value rather than the exemption, begin with the local assessor and preserve the county Board of Review appeal deadline.

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Estimate possible savings if your appraised value is reduced after a protest, evidence review or correction.

Appraised Value Growth / Cap Impact

Estimate how a value increase or appraisal cap may affect taxable value. Rules vary by state, county and exemption status.

Home Buyer Monthly Budget Estimate

Estimate a more realistic monthly ownership cost by adding mortgage, property tax, insurance and HOA.

Find Official County CAD and Tax Resources

Enter county and state to create safe search links. This avoids guessing official URLs and helps users find the correct county appraisal district, property search, tax payment and exemption pages.

Why this tool helps your site

It gives visitors an interactive reason to stay on the page, calculate their own numbers and move from general reading to practical action.

Best placement

  • Below county CAD articles
  • Before FAQ section on long posts
  • Inside sidebar or after first major section on desktop

Estimate disclaimer

Values are educational estimates. Visitors should confirm final values, exemptions, tax rates, payment status and deadlines with official county resources.

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