NILES TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

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EXEMPTIONS

You can view and/or pay your bill online at cookcountytreasurer.com.  Exemptions are ONLY reflected on the second installment bill so you will not see your exemptions discounted on the first installment. 

What are Exemptions?

The Assessor’s Office administers property tax exemptions that may contribute to lowering your property tax bill. These exemptions reduce the equalized assessed value (EAV), or taxed value, of a home. Exemptions are filed in the Spring of every year.  Some exemptions are automatically renewed. Please read below about specific exemptions.  

If your home was eligible for an exemption for past tax years, you can obtain a refund through what they call a Certificate of Error  for any missing exemptions for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and/or 2019.

2024 exemptions can be filed in February 2025.

Some exemptions are automatically renewed and some may need to be renewed annually. New or Annual filings are done in the Spring of the tax year and exemption deductions appear only on the second installment bill later that year. Please review your second installment bill to check if your exemptions were deducted.

 

Homeowner Exemption

Most homeowners who own and occupy the property as their primary residence are eligible for this savings. Once this exemption is applied, it auto-renews for you annually.

Homeowner Exemption will automatically renew annually after you apply.

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.

CLICK HERE to apply for Homeowner exemption Certificate of error for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

 

 

 

Senior Exemption

Seniors 65 years old and older may apply for this property tax savings.  A taxpayer who turns 65 during the tax year can apply.

Senior Exemption will automatically renew annually after you apply.

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.

CLICK HERE to apply for Senior exemption Certificate of error for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

"Senior Freeze" Exemption aka Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze

This exemption freezes the equalized assessed value of a property, keeping it at a fixed amount. That does not mean that the property tax bill amount is frozen. There are other factors that change yearly that are computed into the calculations. Total household income must be $65,000 or less, at least one owner on the home title must be 65 years old, and that person must have lived in the property on January 1st of the property tax year.

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.

CLICK HERE to apply for Low Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze exemption Certificate of error for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

Persons with Disabilities Exemption

This exemption provides savings by reducing the equalized assessed value of property by $2,000 annually.  This does not mean a $2,000 savings. If your equalized assessed value is $12,000, it would change to $10,000 after the savings which is then used to calculate the property tax. Applicants must meet other specific medical criteria to qualify.

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.

CLICK HERE  to apply for Persons with Disabilities Exemption Certificate of Error for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

Veterans with Disabilities Exemption

Qualifying veterans with disabilities are eligible to a savings in their equalized assessed value (EAV) on their PRIMARY residence.  Those with 30-49% service-connected disabilities receive an annual $2,500 reduction in the EAV; 50-69% recieve a $5,000 reduction in the EAV, and 70% and above are completely exempt from paying property taxes. These amounts are reductions in the EAV, they are not actual savings amounts. Specific criteria must be met to qualify.

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.

 CLICK HERE to apply for Veterans with Disabilities Exemption Certificate of Error for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

Returning Veterans Exemption

Thank you to all our veterans! Veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict are eligible to receive a $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of their property for the taxable year in which they return. These amounts are reductions in the EAV, they are not actual savings amounts. Specific criteria must be met to qualify. 

Apply online for tax years 2019 through 2023.

CLICK HERE to apply for Returning Veterans Exemption Certificate of Error for 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

Documentation Required to Apply

  1. Proof of Identity and occupancy in 2023.
  • A copy of one photo ID from List A must be provided along with an Occupancy Affidavit (the affidavit is provided within the online application).  The name and property address must match the application and the date of issue must verify that you occupied this property in 2023.
    List A: Photo IDs that verify identity and occupancy
    • Illinois Drivers License / ID Card
    • Matrícula Consular ID
    • City of Chicago ID Card

     

  • If the address on your photo ID does not match the property address, a copy of one document from List B and one from List C, and an Occupancy Affidavit must be provided.
    List B: Photo IDs that verify identity 
    • Illinois Drivers License / ID Card
    • Matrícula Consular ID
    • City of Chicago ID Card
    • US Military ID
    • Passport
    • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570)
    • Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
    • Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
    • Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
    List C: Documents that verify occupancy in 2023 (one month statement from any month in the property tax year in question)
    • Bank statement
    • Landline, cable, or internet bill
    • Pay stub or Social Security Award letter
    • Voting record from 2023 (from Cook County Clerk’s office or Chicago Board of Elections)

2. Proof of Property Tax Liability

  • If you are listed on the deed recorded at the Cook County Clerk’s Office, this verifies your property tax liability. The Assessor’s Office staff can verify recorded deeds for you, so you do not need to provide a document.
  • If you are NOT listed on the recorded deed, please provide one of the following documents to verify you are liable for payment of property taxes for this property:
    • Deed (if not recorded) or contract for a deed
    • Trust Agreement
    • Stock Certificate
    • Occupancy Agreement

3. SENIOR FREEZE: If the applicant was enrolled in any of the following programs in 2023, proof of enrollment in 2023 is needed. In this instance, the Income Verification doesn’t need to be completed. If you do not have proof of enrollment or did not enroll in these programs,  you must bring your 2022 Income tax return or documents verifying your 2022 income (i,e. social security 1099 statement from 2022.)

  • Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD) Program
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • The Benefit Access Program
  • Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program

How exemptions help you save

The Cook County Assessor’s office administers property tax exemptions that may contribute to lowering your property tax bill. The exemptions listed on this page reduce the equalized assessed value (EAV), or taxed value, of a home. Exemption applications are due in early 2021 for the 2020 tax year. These savings will be reflected on the SECOND- installment property tax bill mailed in the summer of 2021.

Here’s an example of how a tax bill would be calculated, for a home with an estimated fair market value of $300,000 and a local tax rate of approx. 10%. Please note the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is the partial value of the property. It is the figure on which the tax bill is calcuated.

$300,000   Estimated Fair Market Value
X .10     Assessment Level
(10% for residential properties)

____________________________________________________
$30,000      Assessed Value
X 2.916     State Equalizer (eg)

____________________________________________________
$87,480        Equalized Assessed Value (EAV)
– 10,000        Homeowner Exemption

____________________________________________________
$77,480         Adjusted Equalized Assessed Value
X .09159        Tax Rate (eg)
(example; your tax rate could vary)

____________________________________________________

$7096.39 Estimated Tax Bill in dollars

 

We’re Here Whenever You Need Us

Email

assessor@nilestownshipgov.com

Phone

847-673-9300

Open Hours

Mon – Fri: 9AM – 4PM

Address

5255 Lincoln Ave

Skokie, IL 60077

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