How to apply for Illinois 70%+ Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption (Property Tax Exempt up to $250,000 EAV)

Who it's for

An Illinois veteran with a service-connected VA disability rating of 70% or higher pays no property tax on the first $250,000 of the home's equalized assessed value (EAV) — for most homes, that wipes out the entire property tax bill. This is the top tier of the Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (SHEVD) and one of the largest dollar benefits in Illinois. World War II veterans qualify for the exemption regardless of disability level. An unmarried surviving spouse can keep the exemption on the home, or carry it to a new primary residence. Apply with Form PTAX-342 at the Chief County Assessment Office, then re-verify each year with Form PTAX-342-R.

What you'll need

• VA disability award letter or certification showing the service-connected rating percentage
• Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
• Completed Form PTAX-342 (Application for Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities) from the Chief County Assessment Office

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm eligibility — you must be an Illinois veteran with a service-connected VA disability rating of 70% or higher, or a World War II veteran (who qualifies regardless of disability level). An unmarried surviving spouse may also be eligible; contact the Chief County Assessment Office to confirm your specific situation.
2. Gather your required documents: your VA disability award letter or certification showing your service-connected rating percentage, and a photo ID (driver's license or state ID).
3. Get Form PTAX-342 (Application for Standard Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities) from the Chief County Assessment Office in your county.
4. Complete Form PTAX-342 fully and accurately before submitting.
5. Apply online through the Chief County Assessment Office. Submit your completed Form PTAX-342 along with your supporting documents.
6. Each year after approval, file Form PTAX-342-R (Annual Verification of Eligibility) with the Chief County Assessment Office to keep the exemption active.

What to expect: After submitting your application, the Chief County Assessment Office will review your Form PTAX-342 and supporting documents. Processing times vary, so ask the office for an estimate when you apply. If approved, the exemption removes property tax on the first $250,000 of your home's equalized assessed value (EAV) — for most homes, this eliminates the entire property tax bill. If your home's EAV is above $250,000, you pay tax only on the amount over that threshold. To keep the exemption each year, you must file Form PTAX-342-R (Annual Verification of Eligibility) with the Chief County Assessment Office — do not skip this step or the exemption may lapse. If you are a surviving spouse or have questions about a unique situation, the Chief County Assessment Office can help confirm whether you qualify.

Renewals

annual — file Form PTAX-342-R (Annual Verification of Eligibility) with the Chief County Assessment Office each year