The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) reminded senior citizens about the availability of the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program, which works like a loan, allows qualified seniors to defer all or part of their property taxes and special assessment payments on their principal residences. The deadline to apply for the program this year is March 1, 2025. The maximum amount that can be deferred, including interest and lien fees, is 80 percent of the taxpayer’s equity interest in the property. The maximum deferral each year is limited to $7,500. Deferred amounts are borrowed from the state, who pays the tax bill to the county collector’s office.  To qualify for the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral, a property owner must:

• be 65 years of age or older prior to June 1 of the year that the application is being filed with their local county collector’s office,

• have a total annual household income of $65,000 or less,

• have owned and occupied the property or other qualifying residence for at least the last three years,

• own the property, or share joint ownership with a spouse, or be the sole beneficiary, or the property owner and spouse be the sole beneficiaries of an Illinois land trust,

To apply for the program, seniors need to contact their local county collector’s office to receive an application. For general questions concerning the program, taxpayers may visit IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov or contact their local county collector’s office.