General Homestead Exemption

For tax year 2008 (payable in 2009), this exemption increases to $5,500. For tax year 2009 (payable in 2010), this exemption again increases to $6,000. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have lived on the property, which is your principal residence, on or before January 1 of the tax year; otherwise, the value may be prorated for the portion of the year that it was owner occupied.

The Township Assessor's office initiates this exemption

Homestead Improvement Exemption

This exemption defers for four years any increase in the assessment of your property due to an addition or other improvement to your home for which the Township Assessor would add value.

• A maximum of $25,000 of assessed value or $75,000 "Market Value" may be deferred under this program.
• The property has to be the taxpayer's principal residence.
• Two different improvements on the same property can run concurrently as long as $45,000 is not exceeded.

The Township Assessor's office initiates this exemption


Senior Homestead Exemption

This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $4,000, and may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Exemption.
 To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have lived on the property, which is your principal residence, on or before January 1 of the tax year; otherwise, the value may be prorated for the portion of the year that it was owner occupied by a senior citizen.
• Have reached age 65 anytime during the tax year.
• Apply for the exemption at the Township Assessor's office. You will need to bring proof of age (a drivers license is sufficient), a copy of the property's deed, and your tax bill with you when you apply. If your property is in a trust, you will also need a copy of the trust agreement indicating the beneficiary.

Senior Citizens Tax Freeze Homestead Exemption

This exemption freezes the assessment on your property if your total household income is $55,000 or less.

This exemption may be claimed in addition to those described above. This exemption does not freeze your tax rate; you need to understand that the actual taxes which you pay may continue to increased based upon the amounts levied by the taxing bodies where you reside (school, park, village or city, township, etc.).

The filing deadlines for this exemption is July 1 of each year. To receive this exemption you must:

• Have fulfilled a property residency requirement as explained on the application form.
• Be age 65 or older
• Have a maximum household income of $55,000 This household income includes that of all persons using the property as their principal dwelling place on January 1 of the tax year.
• Please note that this exemption is income based and therefore, must be renewed annually. The Supervisor of Assessments for the County mails applications to all taxpayers receiving the Senior Homestead Exemption.

First-time applicants can obtain forms from the Frankfort Township Assessors Office or the Will County Supervisor of Assessments. Your completed application must be notarized and returned to either the:

Frankfort Township Assessor
11000 W. Lincoln Hwy.
Frankfort, Il 60423
(815) 464-3180
OR
Supervisor of Assessments
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432-4059
(815) 740-4648
Other Senior Programs

Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program

Available to qualified seniors 65 or over with a total household income of $50,000 or less, who have lived in the property for at least three years and have no delinquent property taxes or assessments due on the property. Deferred taxes are paid by the state with repayment, plus interest, due upon settlement of estate or sale of the property.

Senior Citizens Circuit Breaker Grants

A state program, through the Illinois Department on Aging, which provides yearly grants to homeowners and renters 65 and over to help pay property taxes.

Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption

This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $2,000 starting in tax year 2007, and may be claimed in addition to the Homestead Limited Exemption and the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemptions, if applicable. This exemption cannot be claimed in addition the the Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption or the Disabled Veterans' Exemption of $70,000; you can only receive one of these exemptions and, if you are a veteran, you should choose to apply for the one most beneficial to you. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have lived on the property on or before January 1 of the tax year; otherwise, the value may be prorated for the portion of the year that it was owner occupied by a qualified disabled person.
• Be disabled under the Federal Social Security Act
• Supply a copy of your Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card stating that you are under a Class 2 disability (for each year you qualify).

Please note that this exemption may require annual renewal. We are awaiting clarification on this from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

First-time applicants can obtain forms from the Township Assessor Office or the Will County Supervisor of Assessments. Completed applications must be notarized and returned to:

Frankfort Township Assessor
11000 W. Lincoln Hwy.
Frankfort, Il 60423
(815) 464-3180
OR
Supervisor of Assessments
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432-4059
(815) 740-4648

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption

This exemption started in tax year 2007 and lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $2,500 if your disability is service-connected and you are at least 50% disabled, but less than 75% disabled. This exemption lower the equalized assessed value of your property by $5,000 if your disability is service-connected and you are at least 75% disabled.

This exemption may be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Limited Exemption and the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption, if applicable; however, it cannot be claimed in addition to the Disabled Veteran Exemption of $70,000 or the Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have served in the United States Armed Forces, the Illinois National Guard, or Reserve Forces, and have received an honorable discharge.
• Have lived on the property on or before January 1 of the tax year; otherwise, the value may be prorated for the portion of the year that it was owner occupied by a qualified disabled veteran.
• Supply a copy of the first two pages of your Award Letter.
• Please note that this exemption may require annual renewal. We are awaiting clarification on this from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The current Disabled Veterans' Homestead Exemption that provides up to a $70,000 reduction in assessed value for federally-approved specially adapted housing will continue to be available through the local Veterans' Affairs Office.

Returning Veteran Homestead Exemption

This exemption started in tax year 2007 and lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $5,000 in the year you return from active duty in an armed conflict. It is a one-year exemption, and can be claimed in addition to the General Homestead Limited Exemption and any applicable Senior Citizen Exemption. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Use the property as your principal residence
• Supply a copy of your DD214, if applicable; otherwise, a copy of your most recent military orders

Your completed application must be notarized and returned to:
Frankfort Township Assessor
11000 W. Lincoln Hwy.
Frankfort, Il 60423
(815) 464-3180
OR
Supervisor of Assessments
302 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432-4059
(815) 740-4648

NOTE: A disabled person's or disabled veteran's property can receive only one of the following exemptions each year: Disabled Veterans's Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-165), Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-168) or the Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-169).