| Exemption | Description | Qualifications | Application Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Homestead | The Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is reduced by this exemption. The reduction for the current tax assessment year is $8,000. | Cooperatives and qualified life-care facilities may also qualify for exemptions. The owner's primary residence must be the property. | The exemption must be requested through the County Assessment Office. You can get an application by contacting 630-208-3818, and one will be sent to you. |
| Senior Citizen Homestead | The Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is reduced by this exemption. The reduction for the current tax assessment year is $8,000. | By December 31 of the tax assessment year, the owner must be 65 or older and live in the property. Cooperatives and accredited life-care institutions may be exempt as well. | You must request the exemption from the County Assessment Office. Call 630-208-3818 for a mail-in application. After first approval in 2009, this exemption will automatically renew. If eligible, a Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption application will be issued each year. |
| Low-Income Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead | Effectively, this exemption prevents your tax assessment from increasing by freezing your assessment at a base year. This does not affect your taxes; rather, it freezes your assessment. | A property must be the owner's primary home for two years, and the owner must be 65 or older by December 31 of the tax assessment year and fulfill household income standards. Maximum family income for this exemption is $65,000. | You must request the exemption from the County Assessment Office. Get the form online or contact 630-208-3818 for a postal copy. You'll get a renewal form each year when your application is accepted. |
| Persons with Disabilities Homestead | The Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is reduced by the exemption amount. $2,000 is the reduction for the current tax year. | Disability that occurs throughout the assessment year makes the individual eligible. An eligible taxpayer must inhabit the property as their principal home as of January 1 of the assessment year and pay real estate taxes. A taxpayer who claims the Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption cannot claim this exemption also. | You must apply for the exemption with the County Assessment Office or online. |
| Veterans with Disabilities Homestead | The exemption reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) by the exemption's value. For example, | To qualify: Be an Illinois resident who has served on active duty or state active duty, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces without dishonorable discharge. Have a 30% VA-certified service-connected disability. Must be the registered owner and live in the residence on January 1 of the assessment year. | You must request the exemption from the County Assessment Office. Online forms are available. Once your application is accepted, you will get a renewal form each year. |
| Returning Veterans Homestead | The exemption amount reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV). An eligible returning veteran receives $5,000 off the property's equalized assessed value for the current tax assessment year. | To qualify: Be an Illinois resident who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Illinois National Guard, or Reserves. Returning from active service in a US military engagement during the evaluation year. Held a legal or equitable interest in the primary dwelling on January 1 of the assessment year. Lastly, must pay property taxes. | You must request the exemption from the County Assessment Office. Request an application online or by calling (630) 208-3818 for personalized mailing. You'll get a renewal form each year when your application is accepted. |
| Home Improvement | This exemption decreases the improvement's EAV by its Fair Cash Value (up to $75,000) for four years. | A property must be the owner's primary home and have new renovations like a patio or deck that raises its worth. | No application required. You Township Assessor will verify the amount with the County Assessment Office. |
Property Tax Locations
Chicago Office
(By appointment only)
75 Executive Drive,
Suite 349, Aurora, IL 60504
708-630-0944
Houston Office
(Corporate)
2200 North Loop West,
Suite 200 Houston, TX 77018
713-686-9955
Dallas Office
(By appointment only)
12300 Ford Rd., Suite #414
Dallas, TX 75234
972-243-9966
San Antonio Office
(By appointment only)
8632 Fredericksburg Rd Ste 105
San Antonio TX 78240
210-226-0829
Atlanta Office
(By appointment only)
4751 Best Road, Suite 316,
College Park, GA 30337
770-835-4126
Property Tax Protection Program™ Benefits
- No flat fees or upfront costs. No cost ever unless your property taxes are reduced.
- All practical efforts are made every year to reduce your property taxes.
- Never miss another appeal deadline.
- Property taxes protested for you annually.
- You do not have to accept the appraisal district's initial guesstimate of value.
- We coordinate with you regarding building size / condition to avoid excess taxes.
- Free support regarding homestead exemptions.
- Some years are good - typically 6 to 7 out of 10 will result in tax reduction for you.
- The other 3 to 4 years out of 10 we strike out. Most often due to people issues in the hearing process. Some years we get an easy appraiser at the informal; some years someone who is impossible to settle with.
About O'Connor
Property Tax Help Specialists
O’Connor provides property tax appeal services to over 100,000 clients in over 40 states. Client tax savings totaled over $120 million in 2020. O’Connor has been serving property owners since 1974, almost 50 years. Client tax savings total over $1,000,000,000.
O’Connor measures its success in client property tax savings, not billings. Our goal is to save clients $1 billion annually.
With over 200 property tax experts, many of whom have worked with us for 10+ years, O’Connor has the expertise to help with your property tax questions and appeals. We literally wrote the books on property tax reduction:
- Mass Appraisal for Commercial – What Every Commercial Property Owner Should Know!
- What You Need to Know about Business Personal Property
- Cut Your Texas Property Taxes
The steps to appeal are complicated and may seem like too much work, but when O'Connor represents your property for appeal, we handle the details. We provide a property tax reduction service to residential homeowners in exchange for a contingency fee of 30 percent of all property taxes saved through administrative hearings or judicial appeal, for that tax year.