In honor of Veterans Day, the Cook County Assessor’s Office (Assessor’s Office) would like to express gratitude to those who have served our nation. In administering property-tax-saving exemptions for over 8,500 veteran families this year, we hope to honor their sacrifices. The Assessor’s Office administers both the Veterans with Disabilities and the Returning Veterans Exemptions, which can reduce the property tax bills of 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. The amounts of those EAV deductions depend on the percentage of disability. Veterans are required to apply annually.

• The Returning Veterans Exemption is for veterans returning from active duty in armed conflict 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. Veterans are required to apply annually. 

Families receiving veteran related exemptions share how these benefits honor their service and have helped in their journey of homeownership. The 2021 tax year exemption application period will begin in early 2022. Veteran homeowners who believe they may have been eligible in prior tax years can apply for a Certificate of Error. The Certificate of Error process provides homeowners an opportunity to redeem missing exemptions for the 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 tax years. For more information, visit www.cookcountyassessor.com.