Applications for Senior Property Tax Exemptions Mailed; All Seniors Must Apply to Renew Their Exemptions

From Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar:

Oak Park senior citizens received renewal applications for senior citizen property tax exemptions in late February, and will have until March 28 to return them to the Cook County Assessor’s office.  Local senior citizens should feel free to call the office of Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar for help completing the forms. 

In the past, those who had previously applied for a Senior Exemption did not have to renew it, as the exemption was automatically renewed.  Starting last year, however, the law changed such that Senior Exemptions will be now renewed only for those who complete the renewal applications.  Accordingly, Assessor ElSaffar urges all seniors to complete and return the renewal forms.

Eligibility for Senior Citizen Exemptions

There are two senior citizen property tax exemptions.  The Senior Exemption is available to all seniors regardless of income.  It reduces property taxes by about $350, and is available for any owner-occupied residential property whose owner was born in 1946 or earlier.  The Senior Freeze can provide seniors with additional tax savings if the combined income of all occupants in a senior’s household is less than $55,000, and if the senior has been an owner-occupant of the house since January 1, 2010.

The senior applications being mailed out are for 2011 property taxes, (paid in calendar year 2012) and the savings from the exemptions will appear on the second installment tax bills that will be mailed in the fall of 2012.

Information for Seniors not Receiving Mailings

Homeowners who were born in 1946 turned sixty-five in 2011, and thus are likely to be eligible for one of the senior exemptions for the first time.  “Taxpayers who recently turned sixty-five will not receive application forms when the senior renewal forms are mailed,” Assessor ElSaffar said. “I encourage such individuals to call my office to obtain the forms and information necessary to receive the senior benefits.  The forms are also available online at www.CookCountyAssessor.com