Be sure you are getting all the property tax relief you are entitled to by law! Below is information on the various property tax exemptions, which may lower the amount of property taxes you pay. Please note: these exemptions are administered by the Assessor’s office, located at 189 E. Court Street on the 1st floor. Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions and to file for these exemptions. Click here to reach the Assessor's Office.
Every taxpayer is entitled to a Homestead Exemption on their “residential property that is occupied by their owner or owners as his or their principal dwelling place”. This means rental or “second” properties are not eligible for a homestead exemption. The full law on the Homestead Exemption is HERE and you can contact the Assessor’s office with any questions. You can download the form by clicking here to apply for the Homestead Exemption if you currently do not have it (see above for a sample tax bill to find where your exemptions are located-please note this is the form for both Homestead and Senior Citizen exemption).
The Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities provides an annual $2,000 reduction in the assessed value of the property owned and occupied as the primary residence by a person with a disability who is liable for payment of property taxes. More information and an application can be downloaded by clicking here. This form must be returned to the Assessor’s office (189 E. Court St, Kankakee), per instruction on the form. Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions. Depending on the type of documentation provided, a PTAX 343-A may have to be provided annually. Click here to download that form.
Anyone over the age of 65 is eligible for this exemption on their primary residence. Click here to download the form for this exemption (please note this is the form for both Homestead and Senior Citizen Exemption). This form must be returned to the Assessor’s office, per instruction on the form. Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions.
Senior Citizen Freeze:This allows income eligible seniors 65 or over to have their home’s equalized assessed value (EAV) “frozen” and prevent or limit increases due to inflation. This may not prevent property tax increases because other factors such as tax rates may be increased. Seniors with a total household income of $65,000 are eligible (see application for full eligibility rules). The application can be downloaded by clicking here. This form must be returned to the Assessor’s office (189 E. Court St, Kankakee). Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions.
Homestead Improvement Exemption is allowed for new improvements to existing structures on residential property or the rebuilding of residential structures after a catastrophic event (as long as the property is a principal dwelling place occupied by the owner). The exemption is limited to $75,000 per year in fair cash value and continues for 4 years from the date the improvement is completed and occupied. Only certain types of improvements qualify-see the application for more information. The application can be downloaded by clicking here. This form must be returned to the Assessor’s office, per instruction on the form. Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions.
Returning Veterans’ Exemption: This exemption provides a $5,000 reduction in assessed value of the veteran’s principal residence for 2 consecutive tax years following return from active duty. Download the form here for more information and necessary documentation. This form must be returned to the Assessor’s office, per instruction on the form. Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions.
Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities: This exemption provides an annual reduction in the assessment of a primary residence of a veteran with a disability (or a veteran’s surviving spouse). The exemption amount is based on the percentage of the service-connected disability. Download the form here for more information and necessary documentation. This form must be returned to the Assessor’s office (189 E. Court St, Kankakee), per instruction on the form. Contact the Assessor’s office with any questions.