The Cook County Assessor’s Office encourages veterans to apply for property tax-saving exemptions this spring. The Assessor's Office will participate in an upcoming event for veterans in neighboring Chicago Heights in the coming weeks where interested applicants can learn about exemptions they may be eligible for.  

Veterans who have received booklets from the Assessor's Office with renewal applications must return them by April 26. 

Assessor Fritz Kaegi stated that veterans with significant service-related disabilities face heightened obstacles to homeownership in Cook County and across the nation. 

"With the adversities our seniors face, I'm proud to offer these exemptions in order to help ease that burden," Kaegi said.

The Assessor's Office manages two exemptions for veterans:

The Veterans with Disabilities Exemption is for veterans with a service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This exemption reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) on the primary residence of a veteran with a disability, which can likely lower the tax bill. Veterans who are 70% or more disabled receive an EAV reduction of $250,000 and can be exempt from property taxes. Veterans must renew annually, except for those who are rated 100% disabled and classified as "totally and permanently disabled" by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They are automatically renewed once the 100% rating and the "total and permanent" status are registered with the Assessor's office. 

The Returning Veterans Exemption is for veterans returning from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. They are eligible to receive a $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value of their property only for each taxable year in which they return and the year after. They are eligible to receive a $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value of their property only for each taxable year in which they return and the year after. 

The next event, the Cook County Assessor's Office will participate in is below:

Veterans Exemption Workshop

Date: Friday, April 19, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Location: Chicago Heights Vet Center, 1010 Dixie Highway, Suite 200, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 

For a list of other in-person and virtual outreach events, visit www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list.