For the three new homestead exemptions, and for the 2007 tax year only, KNOX COUNTY has extended the due date to file applications until JANUARY 31, 2008. The due date to file applications for the 2008 tax year and thereafter is DECEMBER 31 OF EACH YEAR.

If you have any questions concerning any of the homestead exemptions, or to obtain applications, contact your TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR OR THE CHIEF COUNTY ASSESSMENT OFFICE.

1. Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption

2. Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption

3. Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption

4. Non-homestead Property Tax Exemption

5. Homestead General Exemption

6. Homestead Improvement Exemption

7. Senior Homestead

8. Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption

9. Disabled Veterans Exemption

10. Model Home Assessment

11. Veterans Organization Assessment Freeze

12. Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze

13. Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program for Historic Residences

1. Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-167) NEW

This exemption provides a one-time $5,000 reduction in a property’s equalized assessed value (EAV) to qualifying veterans who return from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. To receive this exemption, the veteran must file an application upon their return home. Obtain an application for the exemption at the Assessor's office (or click here for a printable .pdf).

2. Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-168) NEW

This exemption provides a $2,000 reduction in a property’s EAV to a qualifying property owned by a disabled person. A disabled person must file an annual application by the county’s due date to continue to receive this exemption. Obtain an application for the exemption at the Assessor's office (or click here for a printable .pdf). If you are renewing your exemption please use the renewal application. 

3. Disabled Veterans’ Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-169) NEW

This exemption provides a reduction in a property’s EAV to a qualifying property owned by a veteran with a service-connected disability certified by the U. S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A $2,500 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 50% but less than 75% or a $5,000 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 75%. A disabled veteran must file an annual application by the county’s due date to continue to receive this exemption. Obtain an application for the exemption at the Assessor's office (or click here for a printable .pdf). If you are renewing your exemption please use the renewal application.

4. Non-homestead Property Tax Exemption

Religious, charitable, educational organizations, federal, state and local governments are eligible for exemption from property taxes. The organization must apply for the exemption. The application for this exemption is available at our office. The Knox County Board of Review reviews the application and sends it to the Department of Revenue for processing. The Department of Revenue determines eligibility for this exemption.

5. Homestead General Exemption (Owner Occupied)

This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property up to $5,000 in 2007, $5,500 in 2008 and $6,000 in 2009. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have lived on the property on or before January 1 of the tax year.

• Call the Assessor's Office to verify that you are living on the property.

6. Homestead Improvement Exemption

This exemption defers for four years any increase in the assessment of your property due to an addition or other improvement to your home for which the Assessor would add value.

• A maximum of $25,000 of assessed value may be deferred under this program.

• Call the Assessor's Office for information about applying for this exemption.

7. Senior Homestead

This exemption lowers the equalized assessed value of your property by $3,500 in 2007 and $4,000 in 2008 and thereafter, and may be claimed in addition to the Homestead General Exemption. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have reached age 65 during the tax year.

• Apply for the exemption at the Assessor's office. Click here for a printable .pdf application. You will need to bring a copy of the deed to the property and your Medicare card with you when you apply.

8. Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption

This exemption freezes the assessment on your property, but does not freeze the tax rate. This exemption may be claimed in addition to those described above. You need to understand that the actual taxes which you pay may continue to increase based on the amounts levied by the taxing bodies where you reside (school districts, sanitary district, county, city, township, etc.

The filing deadline for this exemption is Sept. 30 of each year and must be renewed annually. To receive this exemption, you must:

• Have owned and occupied the property for two years starting Jan. 1

• Be age 65 or older.

• Have a maximum gross household income of $55,000 for 2009. This household income includes that of all persons using the property as their principal dwelling place on January 1 of the tax year.

• Obtain an application for the exemption at the Assessor's office (or click here for a printable .pdf). Your completed application must be notarized and returned to:

Darrell K. Lovell

121 W. Tompkins Street

Galesburg, Illinois 61401

9. Disabled Veterans Exemption

What is a Disabled Veterans Exemption and who qualifies?

Under this program, up to $70,000 of the equalized assessed value of a home owned by a qualifying veteran, or the veteran's spouse or unmarried surviving spouse is exempt from property taxes. To qualify for this exemption, you must:

• Have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.

• Have a disability of such nature that the Federal Government has authorized payment for the purchase or construction of housing which has special adaptations to meet the needs of your disability.

How do I establish a Disabled Veterans Exemption?

You apply for this exemption through the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Once the exemption has been approved, the Assessor is notified automatically. Please note that this exemption must be renewed each year.

You may obtain the required forms from the:

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

1001 Michigan Ave.

Galesburg, Illinois 61401

309-343-2510

Is there a Disabled Veterans Tax Exemption for Mobile Home?

Yes. This exemption applies to the tax imposed by the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act when the mobile home is owned and used exclusively by a disabled veteran, spouse or unmarried surviving spouse as a home. The veteran must have received authorization of the Specially Adapted Housing Grant by the USDVA, whether benefit was used or not. Applicant must be a permanent resident of the State of Illinois on January 1 of the tax year for which the exemption is being claimed. Disabled veterans that now live in a mobile home and never received the Specially Adapted Housing Grant are not eligible. Please contact your local service office for more information.

10. Model Home Assessment

Who should apply?

You should apply to request an alternate assessment if your property is used for model home purposes. The property must be a single-family residence, townhome, or condominium, used solely as a model home for prospective buyers, and not occupied as a dwelling. The model home may contain home furnishings, appliances, office equipment, and office to further sale activities. No more than 3 model homes can be located within a 3-mile radius, the center of which is the model home that has been used for the longest period of time. No model home can be used for model home purposes longer than 10 years. You must file this form with the chief county assessment officer (CCAO) or the Assessor's office.

11. Veterans Organization Assessment Freeze

What is the Veterans Organization Assessment Freeze?

The veterans organization assessment freeze (35 ILCS 200/10-240) allows qualified veterans organizations (chartered under federal law) to elect to freeze the assessed value (AV) of the real property it owns and on which is located the principal building for the post, camp, or chapter. The AV is frozen by the chief county assessment officer (CCAO) at 15% of the 1999 AV for the property that qualifies in tax year 2000, or 15% of AV for the property of the tax year that the property first qualifies after tax years 2000. Any improvements or additions that are made to the property that increase the AV of the property also are frozen at 15% of the AV of the improvement or addition in the year first assessed. The assessment freeze does not freeze the amount of your property tax bill, which could increase if the tax rate increases.

How do I file for the assessment freeze?

The chief presiding officer of the veterans organization should complete and sign Form PTAX-763, to apply for the assessment freeze. In addition, you are required to attach supporting documentation.

When should I file Form PTAX-763?

For all counties but Cook County: You must file Form PTAX-763, with your CCAO by December 31. For Cook County: You must file Form PTAX-763, with the Cook County Assessor by January 31.

What if I need additional assistance?

If you need additional assistance, please contact your City Assessor Darrell Lovell , whose address and phone are:

Darrell Lovell, City Assessor

121 W. Tompkins Street

Galesburg IL, 61401

Phone Number 309-342-1106

12. There are TWO Fraternal Organization Assessment Freezes:

What is the IRC 501(c)(10) Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze?

The IRC 501(c)(10) Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze allows qualified fraternal organizations chartered by the state of Illinois prior to 1900, or its subordinate organization or entity, to elect to freeze the assessed value of the real property it owns and uses. If the property first qualified in tax year 2001, the assessed value was frozen at 15% of the assessed value for tax year 2000. If the property first qualifies after tax year 2001, the assessed value is frozen at 15% of that year's value.

Who qualifies for the 501(c)(10) assessment freeze?

To qualify for the assessment freeze, the fraternal organization must be chartered by the state of Illinois prior to 1900, own and use real property, prohibit gambling and the use of alcohol on the property, be an exempt entity under IRC Section 501(c)(10), and consist of members who provide, directly or indirectly financial support for charitable works, such as medical care, drug rehabilitation or education.

How do I apply for the 501(c)(10) assessment freeze?

To apply for this exemption the fraternal organization's chief presiding officer should complete and sign the PTAX-764 application. The application is available at the Chief County Assessment Office 121 S. Prairie St., Galesburg or the City Assessor's Office 121 W. Tompkins St., Galesburg.

What is the IRC 501(c)(8) Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze?

The IRC 501(c)(8) Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze allows qualified fraternal organizations, or its subordinate organization or entity who had its national headquarters in Illinois on December 31, 1926 or was chartered in Illinois in July 1986, to elect to freeze the assessed value of the real property it owns and uses. If the property first qualified in tax year 2001, the assessed value was frozen at 15% of the assessed value for tax year 2000. If the property first qualifies after tax year 2001, the assessed value is frozen at 15% of that year's value.

Who qualifies for the 501(c)(8) assessment freeze?

To qualify for the assessment freeze a fraternal organization who had its national headquarters in Illinois on December 31, 1926 or was chartered in Illinois in July 1986, or its subordinate organization or entity, must own and use real property, be an exempt entity under IRC Section 501 (c)(8), and consist of members who provide, directly or indirectly financial support for charitable works, such as medical care, drug rehabilitation or education.

How do I apply for the 501(c)(8) assessment freeze?

To apply for this exemption the fraternal organization's chief presiding officer should complete and sign the PTAX-765 application. The application is available at the Chief County Assessment Office 121 S. Prairie St., Galesburg or the City Assessor's Office 121 W. Tompkins St., Galesburg.

The Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze must be renewed annually. For all counties but Cook County, the deadline for filing PTAX-764 or PTAX-765 is December 31 of each assessment year.

If any improvements or additions are made to the property, the assessed value of the improvement is also frozen at 15% of the improvement value the first year it is assessed.

It is important to remember that the tax bill for the property could increase if the tax rate increases. The assessment freeze only freezes the assessed value of property that qualifies for the Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze.

What if I need additional assistance?

If you need additional assistance, please contact your assessor, whose address and phone number are posted above in the Veterans Organization Assessment Freeze description.

13. Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program for Historic Residences

The Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program provides tax incentives to owner-occupants of certified historic residences who rehabilitate their homes. Through the Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program the assessed valuation of the historic property is frozen for eight years at its level the year rehabilitation began. The valuation then is brought back to market level over a period of four years.

Benefits

The Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program benefits both the owner-occupant and the community by:

• Encouraging landmark protection through the promotion, recognition, and designation of historic structures;

• Increasing the value of the rehabilitated property; and

• Upgrading neighborhoods and housing within a community.

Provisions

To qualify for the Property Tax Assessment Freeze a property must:

• Be a registered historic structure, either by listing on the National Register of Historic Places, or designated by an approved local historic preservation ordinance;

• Be used as a single-family, owner-occupied residence;

• Have at least 25% of the property's market value spent on an approved rehabilitation project;

• Be a substantial rehabilitation that significantly improves the condition of the historic building; and

• Be rehabilitated in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation."

Certification Procedure

Part 1: Contact the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

• Contact the SHPO or your local landmark commission to determine if your property is a registered historic structure. Individual properties within historic districts will be certified as historic structures by the SHPO if it makes a positive contribution to the historic significance of the district.

• Determine the assessed valuation and market value (or fair cash value) of your property by contacting your assessment officer or by referring to your current property tax bill.

Part 2: Conditional Approval of Rehabilitation Plans

• Provide the SHPO with the proposed rehabilitation plans and photographs showing the condition of the building prior to initiating work. The SHPO will determine if both the interior and exterior rehabilitation plans comply with the Secretary of Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation."

• Once your preliminary plans are approved, proceed with the rehabilitation project. Contact the SHPO if there are changes made to the rehabilitation plans during the course of the project.

Part 3: Final Approval

• When the project is completed, forward to the SHPO, photographs showing the completed work and documentation proving that 25% of the property's market value was spent on rehabilitation (paid bills, cancelled checks). With the exception of landscaping, appliances, and new construction (outside the historic building), any money spent on the physical rehabilitation of the property will qualify.

• Within 45 days of receipt of the complete and correctly drafted application, the SHPO will determine if the project meets all the program requirements, including the guidelines established by the Secretary of Interior's "Standards." If the project is approved, a Certificate of Rehabilitation will be issued.

• The Certificate of Rehabilitation is transmitted to the assessment officer and a copy forwarded to the property owner. The assessor then makes the necessary adjustments.