On Veterans Day, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi reminds veterans that they may be eligible for property tax-saving exemptions that reduce their tax bills. “We honor the sacrifice and service of millions of American veterans throughout our nation’s history,” said Assessor Kaegi. “Here at the Cook County Assessor’s Office, we are committed to assisting our veterans in any way that we can.”  The Assessor’s Office processes 10,000 exemptions for veterans annually. Veterans who believe they may have been eligible for a past exemption can file for a Certificate of Error dating back to 2019.  The Assessor’s Office will participate in two events for veterans this month, during which we will offer one-on-one assistance: 

Monday, November 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (5th District), 15440 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452. Sign up for an appointment in advance at https://bit.ly/ccao1125.

The Assessor’s Office administers two exemptions for veterans: 

The Veterans with Disabilities Exemption is for veterans with a service-connected disability as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) on the primary residence of a veteran with a disability, very likely lowering the tax bill. Veterans who are 70% or more disabled receive an EAV reduction of $250,000.

The Returning Veterans Exemption is for veterans returning from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. They are eligible to receive a $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value of their property only for each taxable year in which they return and the year after.  For a list of other in-person and virtual outreach events, visit www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list. For more information about exemptions, visit www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions.