Happy 65^th Birthday!

Gift Yourself a Tax Break!

The Assessor’s Office has a special gift for you: real estate tax savings! Turning 65 is a milestone worth celebrating, and if you or your spouse turn 65 anytime in 2025, you are eligible for the Senior Homestead Exemption, reducing your taxable value by $8,000! This could save you approximately $800 on your taxes.

• No income requirement!
• No annual renewal!
• Must be your primary residence.

Next Step: Low Income Senior Citizen’s Assessment Freeze! After qualifying for the Senior Homestead Exemption, you can apply for the Low Income Senior Citizen’s Assessment Freeze. This exemption freezes your property’s taxable assessed value. To qualify for this income based exemption, you must have lived in your home for at least two January 1^st’s and the household income limit is $65,000/year.  Annual renewal required starting in March, proof of prior year’s income required, appointments are strongly encouraged.

Other Exemptions (Annual Renewal Required):

• Disabled Veterans Exemption
• Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities

Apply Today!

• Visit the Benton Township Assessor’s Office for assistance (easiest method).
  Please contact our office at 847-746-2069 to schedule an appointment and we will remind you of needed documentation.   OR –
• Apply online using Lake County’s Smartfile program
   
   

  Renew Your Tax Exemptions

  Spring forward into savings and stay on top of your Property Tax Exemptions in 2025!
  A tax exemption is a reduction applied to a property’s assessed value.
  Be sure to check the exemptions you may qualify for, and that your yearly renewals are up to date.

   

  ANNUAL RENEWAL REQUIRED

   
  Low-Income Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze
   

  • Qualifications- For homeowners who are 65+, total household income of $65,000 or less.
  • Documentation- Federal Income documentation for prior year for all household members.
  • Benefits- The taxable assessed value is “frozen”.

  Disabled Veterans Exemption
   

  • Qualifications- For those with a service-related disability; or Veterans of World War 2; un-remarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran can continue to receive this exemption.
  • Documentation- Current Disability Rating letter from the Veteran’s Administration.
  • Benefits– A reduction in the Taxable Assessed Value, determined by disability rating.

  *Individuals with a 100% total and permanent disability are not required to renew annually.

  Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities
   

  • Qualifications– Those whose disability is documented by the Federal Social Security Act.
  • Documentation– Illinois Disabled Person Identification Card, proof of Social Security Administration Social Security Benefits or Physician’s Statement.
  • Benefits– Reduces equalized assessed value of your property by $2,000

   

  AUTOMATIC RENEWAL

   
  General Homestead Exemption
   

  • Qualifications– Property ownership and primary residency as of January 1^st
  • Documentation– proof of residency (ex. driver’s license, state ID)
  • Benefits– reduces the equalized assessed value of the property by $8,000.

  Senior Homestead Exemption
   

  • Qualifications– For individuals 65+ or who turn 65 during the current year and have property ownership (and primary residency on the property).
  • Documentation– proof of age and residency (ex. driver’s license, state ID)
  • Benefits– reduces the equalized assessed value of the property by $8,000.

   

  APPLY ONLINE OR IN PERSON

  Call us at 847-746-2069 to schedule an appointment and we can assist with all applications at our office. Otherwise, apply on-line by visiting Lake County’s Smartfile E-Filing Portal: Assessor.lakecountyil.gov

Smartfile E-Filing

To renew an exemption, all property owners need to renew online using the Chief County Assessment Office’s SmartFile E-Filing Portal.

Website

Lake County: www.assessor.lakecountyil.gov

Download this step by step guide HERE to assist in filing your Senior Freeze Exemption

How to File a Property Assessment Appeal

Property owners can appeal their assessment through the Lake County Board of Review on their own. The deadline to file is 30 days from the date of publication in the newspaper.  Check the County website to see if the Township has been published and when the deadline is: www.lakecountyil.gov/527/Filing-Deadlines-and-Decision-Mailed-Dat.  No attorney is required for a residential appeal.  All appeals must be filed electronically.

To file an appeal, all property owners need to begin the process using the Chief County Assessment Office’s SmartFile E-Filing Portal.
For property owners in all but five of Lake County’s townships, the entire appeal process can be conducted through this portal.

• Watch this video or view these printable instructions (PDF) to learn how to file an appeal online
• Begin filing an appeal online
• Learn how to use the Public Access Tool to research comparable properties and create a comparable grid that can be included in your appeal (PDF)