Overview

County Staff

Township Assessors

Board of Review

GIS

Ag Assessment

Exemptions

Important Dates

Forms & Documents

Assessment Search

Assessor's Only

Henry County Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief County Assessment Office

 

 

Exemptions
 There are several exemptions available to homeowner’s to help reduce the tax burden.  If you have any questions regarding these exemptions, please call the Henry County Assessment Office. 

If you have an exemption it is indicated on your assessment notice.  The dollar amount is NOT indicated on the notice.  The corresponding dollar amount will be deducted from the assessed value on your tax bill. 

The exemptions do not appear on your assessment notice. The assessment notice is only to show changes in your assessed value. The exemptions will appear on your tax bill.
          

Homeowner's | homestead | Senior Citizens | Homestead Improvement | Disabled Veteran |
 
Disabled Person Returning Veteran    Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead                        

Homeowner's Exemption
This exemption is available to anyone who owns his/her home or has a legal interest in the home, resides in the residence on January 1 of the taxing year and is liable for the taxes.  It is based on the value of the property in 1977.  The exemption is calculated by subtracting the value of the residence and residential portion of the land in 1977 from the current value.  The maximum reduction is $5,000 for assessment year 2007, $5,500 for assessment year 2008 and $6,000 for assessment year 2009.  The deadline for application is December 31.  There is no annual renewal.
 

Forms are available for download on the Forms and Documents page.

Example of how exemption is calculated:

Current Assessed Value $40,000
1977 Assessed Value $29,000
Initial Exemption Amount $11,000
Actual Exemption Amount $ 5,000 (Maximum allowed by law for 2007)

                        

Homestead Exemption

This exemption is for property that is occupied as a residence by a person who is 65 years of age or older who is liable for paying real estate taxes on the property and is an owner of record of the property or has a legal interest in the property.  The person must reside on the property as of January 1 of the taxing year.  The reduction is $4,000 in assessed value.  The application deadline is December 31 and there is no annual renewal.

 Forms are available for download on the Forms and Documents page.
 

Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Exemption

This exemption is for property that is occupied as a residence on January 1 of the previous year by a person who is 65 years of age or older in the current year who is liable for the real estate taxes on the property and has a household income of $55,000 or less in the previous year.  An application must be filed every year by June 1.  Applications are mailed around January every year to anyone who has the Homestead exemption.  If you feel that you may qualify contact the office.  Proof of income must be provided. 

 An example to determine eligibility.

You turn 65 in 2008.  You owned your home and were liable for the taxes in 2007.  You resided at the property on January 1, 2007.  Your household income is $55,000 for 2007.  YOU QUALIFY.

 The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze, freezes your assessed value not your taxes.  In the example listed above:  For example, your total assessed value in 2007 was $32,000.  In 2008 a market adjustment was made and the assessed value increased to $39,000. 

 Example of calculation:

            2008 assessed value             $39,000
            2007 frozen value                 $32,000
            Amount of exemption           $  7,000

 You would pay taxes on $32,000 even though your market value increased. 
                    

Homestead Improvement Exemption

This exemption is available to homeowner’s who add a new improvement to an existing structure used exclusively for residential purposes.  The homeowner must own and reside in the home as of January 1 of the assessment year.  The improvement must be 100% complete as of January 1 of the assessment year.  Some examples of these new improvements are:  deck, garage, patio, room addition etc.  If you are unsure if you may qualify, contact the CCAO.  The deadline for application is December 1.  The maximum amount of reduction is $25,000 in assessed value and the exemption is in effect for 4 years.  In essence, you do not pay taxes on the improvement for 4 years. 

Example of calculation:
            2008 assessed value             $39,000
            New improvement A/V        $  9,000
            Taxable value                       $30,000

Forms are available for download on the Forms and Documents page.
                       

Disabled Veteran Exemption

The eligibility requirements are:

Must be owned and used exclusively by a disabled veteran, the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran.  Federal funds must have been used to purchase or construct special adaptations to suit the veteran’s disability. 

Application requirements are:

Must apply and reestablish exemption each year with the Illinois Department of Veteran's Affairs.  Veteran’s Affairs will certify to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the IDOR will notify the county assessment office.  The maximum amount to be exempted is $70,000 in assessed value.

                    

Disabled Person

Beginning with taxable year 2007, an annual homestead exemption may be granted to disabled persons in the amount of $2,000 of assessed value.  You must be disabled or become disabled during the assessment year, own or have interest in the property and occupy the property as your principal residence on January 1 of the assessment year.  You must also be liable for the payment of property taxes.  The filing deadline for 2007 is January 31, 2008.  The filing deadline for 2008 and thereafter is December 31.

Application Requirements:

You must complete an application and provide proof of ownership.  You must file PTAX 343-V annually to verify eligibility in order to continue receiving exemption.  You will be required to provide one of the following to qualify.  Proof must be the same year as the assessment year:  

1.      A Class 2 Illinois Disabled Person ID card from the IL Secretary of State.  NOTE:  Class 2 & 2A qualify.  Class 1 & 1A do not.

2.      Proof of Social Security Administration disability benefits.  Proof includes an award letter, verification letter, or annual cost of living adjustment. 

3.      Proof of Veteran’s Administration disability benefits.  This proof includes an award letter of total (100%) disability, pension statement, or statement showing compensation rated at 100%

4.      Proof of Railroad or Civil Service disability benefits is an award letter of total (100%) disability

5.      If you cannot provide proof of your disability through items 1-4, then you will need to submit to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) “Form PTAX 343-A Physicians Statement for Proof of Disability” completed by a physician.  You may also be required to be re-examined by an IDOR designated physician.  The IDOR will notify the Chief County Assessment Office if you qualify.

 Homeowner’s can only claim ONE disabled persons’ exemption. (Disabled Veterans’, Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead, or Disabled Persons’)

 Click here for the form.    
 

Returning Veteran

This is a one-time reduction of $5000 beginning with the 2007 assessment year.  To qualify you must be an Illinois resident who served as a member of the US Armed Forces, Illinois National Guard or US Reserve Forces and be returning from active duty in an armed conflict.  You must also own or have a legal interest in property used as your principal residence on January 1 of assessment year.  You must be liable for paying the property taxes.  The filing deadline for 2007 is January 31, 2008.  The filing deadline for 2008 and thereafter is December 31. 

Application Requirements:

Must complete application, provide proof of ownership and supply documentation stating that you are returning from an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the US within the tax year that you are requesting exemption. 

·        If discharged – provide Dept. of Defense DD 214 certified by county clerk or Illinois Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs. 

·        If still on active duty – provide military orders and travel voucher showing date of return. 

 Click here for the form.  

                       

Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead

75% service-connected disability is a $5000 reduction in assessed value beginning with the 2007 Assessment year.  At least 50%, but less than 75% service-connected disability is a $2500 reduction in assessed value beginning with the 2007 Assessment year.  This exemption is for an Illinois resident who has served as a member of the US Armed Forces on active duty or state active duty, Illinois National Guard, or US Reserve Forces, and NOT dishonorably discharged.  You must have at least a 50% service-connected disability certified by the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, own and occupy the property as your primary residence on January 1 of the assessment year.  Your EAV shall be less than $250,000 excluding the EAV of property used for commercial purposes.  An unmarried surviving spouse can continue to receive DVSHE.  The filing deadline for 2007 is January 31, 2008.  The filing deadline for 2008 and thereafter is December 31.

Application Requirements:

Must complete an application, provide proof of ownership and provide Disability Certification Letter from the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs for current assessment year.  1st time applicants must provide Dept. of Defense DD 214 certified by county clerk or Illinois Dept. of Veterans’ Affairs.  If a surviving spouse you must also provide the disabled veterans’ death certificate and proof of ownership.                      

                     

Chief County Assessor, Lindi M. Kernan, CIAO-I

Phone: 309-937-3570

Fax 309-937-3949

Address
307 West Center Street
Cambridge IL 61238

Office Hours
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday - Friday

Email: assessor@henrycty.com