Application filing period for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral is open

NOTE: Last day to file for Tax Year 2023 is March 1, 2024. Per state law, there are no time extensions.

The Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral program is a tax-relief program that works like a loan. It allows qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $7,500 per tax year (this includes 1st and 2nd installments) on their primary home. The loan from the State of Illinois is paid when the property is sold, or upon the death of the participant.

This program is administered by the Cook County Treasurer's Office. For more information on how to apply visit: www.cookcountytreasurer.com/theseniorcitizenrealestatetaxdeferralprogram.aspx

Who Qualifies?

Participants must be:

• Homeowners who are at least 65 years of age by June 1 of the year in which the applications are made.
• Those whose household income is $65,000 or less.
• Surviving spouses of previously approved applicants who are at least 55 years of age within six months of the taxpayer's death.
• Those who have owned and occupied the qualifying property for at least the last three years.
• Those who have fire or casualty insurance coverage for the qualifying property in an amount not less than the amount of the taxes being deferred.
• Those who do not owe outstanding property tax or special assessments.
• Those who have written approval from the spouse, if filing jointly, or Trustee, if the property is held in a qualifying Trust, to participate in the program.