Owner Occupied Homestead Exemptions
"Homestead Property" under this definition includes single family residential property that is occupied by its owner(s) as his/her, (their), principal dwelling place. Ownership may be established by deed, will, contract or lease, which makes you responsible for the payment of the real estate taxes. Proof of residency, such as a current IL Driver’s license or state issued photo ID, is required. The official application form, or an approved facsimile, must be completed in its entirety and filed with the Sangamon County Supervisor of Assessments to receive an exemption.
General Homestead Exemption
Upon application, owner occupied homestead property qualifies for the General Homestead Exemption from the date of owner/occupancy. This exemption amounts to a reduction of the equalized assessed value of up to $6,000. The exemption amount is calculated by subtracting the equalized assessed value in 1977 from the present equalized assessed value and may be prorated from date of occupancy to December 31, (if not owner/occupied on January 1. The deadline to make application for this exemption is January 31 for the tax year. To simplify this, if you own and occupy the property in 2021, you have until 1/31/2022 to file an application for the General Homestead Exemption for the 2022 payable in 2023 real estate taxes. This exemption does not transfer, meaning if you buy a new property and you move to that property, you are required to make application for the exemption to be applied to the new residence and subsequently, the exemption will be removed from the old residence. There is no annual renewal required for this exemption.
To proceed with printing your exemption application form, please click here.
Homestead Improvement Exemption
This exemption allows an owner occupied residence to be improved to an extent that the fair market value of the residence increases by up to $75,000 without an increase to the property taxes attributable to that new improvement for up to four years. Improvements include: room additions, new garages or out buildings, new bathrooms, decks or porches. Repairs to a structure damaged by a catastrophic event may also be covered by this exemption. This exemption does not cover maintenance or repair due to normal "wear and tear" or age. Also not included are improvements used for farm or business purposes. The deadline to make application for this exemption is January 31 of the tax year. To simplify this, if you are sent a 2021 assessment change notice listing a reason for change of 'Improvement Added', or if you have recently completed an improvement to your residence, you may make application for this exemption up to January 31, 2022.
To proceed with printing your exemption application form, please click here.
Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption
The qualifications for this exemption are the same as for the General Homestead Exemption with the additional requirement that the owner/occupant must be age 65 or over during that calendar year. This exemption reduces the taxable equalized assessed value by $5,000. Application for this exemption must be made by January 31 of the tax year, (Same as the General Homestead Exemption). The applicant must supply documentation supporting ownership and proof of age. This includes the deed to the property, contract, lease or will, and a state issued drivers license, I.D. or birth certificate.
To proceed with printing your exemption application form, please click here.
Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption
The qualifications for this exemption are the same as for the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption with the additional requirements of: A maximum total household annual income of $65,000 (Not adjusted gross - Total household income includes the income of ALL occupants of the property. Total Social Security Earnings, not only the taxable portion, as well as tax exempt interest.), or less and owner occupancy on January 1 for at least one year prior to application, meaning: in order to make application in 2022, the property must have been owned and occupied by the applicant on January 1, 2020 (base year). This exemption, in effect, freezes the assessment at the base year value, protecting the senior homeowner from increases in property taxes due to equalization or reassessment. This exemption does not prevent increased assessments due to new construction or improvements made to the property. First time applicants are required to submit, with the application, a copy of their Federal Income Tax Return and Federal Income Tax Return copies for all persons residing at their home. If a tax return is not filed, we require a letter from the IRS confirming that no return was filed and a statement of earnings for that year, along with copies of their earnings forms: W-2's, 1099's, and SSI. Applications for this exemption must be filed annually and forms are available in our office between April 1 and July 1 each year. The deadline to file application for the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption is July 1 each year.
To proceed with printing your exemption application form, please click here.
Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption
Application for this exemption is made through the IL Department of Veterans Affairs. Disabled veteran means a person who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States and whose disability is of such nature that the Federal Government has authorized payment for the purchase or construction of Specially Adapted Housing as set forth in the United States Code, Title 38, Chapter 21. Property owned and occupied exclusively by a disabled veteran, the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran, assessed up to an amount of $100,000 is exempt. This exemption applies to housing that is specially adapted to accommodate the veteran's disability. A person who has claimed this exemption may not receive either the Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption.
Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption
The qualifications for this exemption are the same as for the General Homestead Exemption with the additional requirement that the home is owner/occupied and has an EAV of less than $250,000, the owner/occupant is an IL resident who has served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, IL National Guard or U.S. Reserve Forces and not dishonorably discharged. Have at least a 30% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs effective on December 31 of the application year, is used to determine elegibility for this exemption. A copy of the documentation of disability from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and form DD 214 are required to be filed with the application. This exemption reduces the taxable assessed value by either; total exemption from taxes for at least 70% service-connected disability; $5,000 for at least a 50% but less than 70% service-connected disability or a reduction of $2,500 for at least a 30% but less than 50% service-connected disability. Application shall be made by January 31 of the tax year. A person who has claimed this exemption may not receive either the Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption.
Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption
The qualifications for this exemption are the same as for the General Homestead Exemption with the additional requirement that the home is owner/occupied on January 1, the owner/occupant is able to provide the following documentation as proof of disability: A Class 2 or 2A IL Disabled Person Identification Card from the IL Secretary of State’s Office, current year proof of Social Security Administration disability benefits, current year proof of Veterans Administration disability benefits showing 100% disability, or current year proof of Railroad or Civil Service disability benefits such as an award letter of total (100%) disability. If these items can not be provided, submission of form PTAX 343-A may be made annually as certification of disability. This exemption requires annual renewal and reduces the taxable assessed value by $2,000. Application shall be made by January 31 of the tax year. A person who has claimed this exemption may not receive either the Disabled Veterans’ Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption.
Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption
The qualifications for this two year exemption are the same as for the General Homestead Exemption with the additional requirement that the home is owner/occupied on January 1 of the tax year, the owner/occupant is an IL resident who has served/is serving as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, IL National Guard or U.S. Reserve Forces and returned from active duty in an armed conflict involving the U.S. Armed Forces. Application must be made during the same year that the veteran returns home from active duty. This exemption reduces the taxable assessed value by $5,000.
Non-homestead Exemptions for Religious, Charitable, or Educational Organizations
Properties of religious, charitable, and educational organizations, as well as units of federal, state and local governments, are eligible for exemption from property taxes to the extent provided by law. The organization must apply for the exemption with the Board of Review which reviews the application and forwards it to the IL Department of Revenue for the final administrative decision. All applications and their corresponding documentation must be filed in duplicate with the Board of Review.
Organizations that are not hospitals, religious or a federal/state agency apply using form PTAX-300.
Hospitals use form PTAX-300H and supplemental forms Schedule A & Schedule E.
Annual affidavit use PTAX-300HA.
Religious organizations use form PTAX-300R.
Federal/State agencies use form PTAX-300FS
Application forms for all of the above exemptions, (except the Disabled Veterans Exemption) are available in the office of the Supervisor of Assessments, in Room 210 of the Sangamon County Complex. Office hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except on legal holidays, when the County Complex is closed. When filing an application for property tax exemption, if a file stamped copy is not offered, the property owner or their agent should request one.