Kane County property tax exemptions reduce the equalized assessed value (EAV) of your home before the local tax rate is applied, which lowers your bill. The main one is the General Homestead Exemption, worth up to $8,000 off EAV for any owner-occupant. On top of that, seniors, low-income seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and homeowners who have renovated can each claim additional reductions. Every exemption has its own form, and several require you to reapply each year.
Illinois assesses most property at one-third of fair market value, and your combined tax rate is set by the school districts, county, municipality, and other taxing bodies serving your address.1Illinois Department of Revenue. What Is the Tax Rate for Property Taxes, and When Do I Have to Pay My Property Taxes? Because exemptions shrink the EAV before that rate is multiplied in, the same dollar reduction produces different savings depending on where in the county you live.2Kane County Assessment Office. Homestead Exemptions
General Homestead Exemption
Any Kane County homeowner who owns and lives in the property as a primary residence qualifies. Because Kane borders Cook County, the reduction is up to $8,000 off EAV, the higher of the two statutory tiers.3Illinois Department of Revenue. Property Tax Relief – Homestead Exemptions, PTELL, and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program The Kane County Assessment Office confirms the current figure at $8,000.4Kane County Assessment Office. General Homestead Exemption Rental properties and vacation homes do not qualify.5Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-175 – General Homestead Exemption Once granted, this one typically renews without a new application each year.
Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption
Homeowners 65 or older who own and occupy their home get an additional $8,000 reduction in EAV, stacked on top of the General Homestead Exemption.6Kane County Assessment Office. Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption The $8,000 figure applies specifically because Kane is contiguous to Cook County; elsewhere in Illinois the reduction is $5,000.7Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-170 – Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption There is no income limit. The initial application is Form PTAX-324; in later years the county may ask for a certificate of status to confirm you still qualify.
Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze
The Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze locks in a base-year assessed value so that rising property values stop pushing up your taxes. It does not freeze the tax rate and it does not freeze your bill. If local taxing bodies raise their rates, you can still owe more, but market appreciation is taken out of the equation.
The household income limit for tax year 2026 is $75,000, up from $65,000 through 2025.3Illinois Department of Revenue. Property Tax Relief – Homestead Exemptions, PTELL, and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program It rises again to $77,000 for tax year 2027 and $79,000 for 2028 and beyond.8Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-172 – Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Household income means everyone in the home combined: Social Security, pensions, wages, investment income, and other sources. Because the income test resets every year, you must file Form PTAX-340 annually to keep the freeze in place.
Persons with Disabilities Homestead Exemption
Homeowners with a physical or mental disability that prevents substantial gainful activity and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months can claim a $2,000 annual reduction in EAV.9Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-168 – Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities You must own and occupy the property and be responsible for the taxes.
The initial application is Form PTAX-343, accompanied by a licensed physician’s statement on Form PTAX-343-A. The exemption then requires annual renewal on Form PTAX-343-R.3Illinois Department of Revenue. Property Tax Relief – Homestead Exemptions, PTELL, and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program
Veterans Exemptions
Returning Veterans
A veteran returning from active duty in an armed conflict involving U.S. forces can claim a one-time $5,000 reduction in EAV for the tax year they come home.3Illinois Department of Revenue. Property Tax Relief – Homestead Exemptions, PTELL, and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program The veteran must own and occupy the property as a principal residence and be liable for the taxes.10Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-167 – Returning Veterans Homestead Exemption A VA award letter or separation paperwork is required.
Veterans with Disabilities
Veterans with a service-connected disability receive relief tiered to their VA rating for tax year 2023 and after:11Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-169 – Homestead Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities and Veterans of World War II
- 30% to 49% disability: $2,500 annual reduction in EAV.
- 50% to 69% disability: $5,000 annual reduction in EAV.
- 70% or higher disability: the first $250,000 in EAV is exempt from property tax.
The top tier effectively eliminates the property tax bill for most Kane County homes, since the entire assessed value typically falls under the $250,000 cap. If your home’s EAV exceeds $250,000, tax is owed only on the portion above that threshold. Applicants submit a VA certification letter showing the disability rating as of the application date.
Homestead Improvement Exemption
If you renovate or rebuild your home, this exemption shields the added value from taxation. It covers the increase in fair cash value attributable to the improvement, up to $75,000, for four years after the work is completed and the home is occupied, or until the next general reassessment, whichever comes later.12Illinois General Assembly. 35 ILCS 200/15-180 – Homestead Improvements The property must be used exclusively as a residence, and the added value must come from the improvement itself, not general market appreciation. In some cases the assessor applies it automatically when a qualifying improvement shows up in the records.
How to Apply
Every application starts with your property’s Parcel Index Number (PIN), which appears on your assessment notice, tax bill, or deed. You will also need a valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID showing the property address. Utility bills or a voter registration card can back up occupancy if asked.
Form requirements by exemption:
- Senior Citizens Homestead: Form PTAX-324 for the initial application.
- Senior Assessment Freeze: Form PTAX-340 every year, with federal tax returns or IRS transcripts documenting household income.
- Persons with Disabilities: Form PTAX-343, plus physician’s statement Form PTAX-343-A. Renewal uses Form PTAX-343-R.
- Veterans: a VA award letter or disability certification.
Kane County’s online exemption portal accepts applications for the General Homestead, Senior Homestead, Persons with Disabilities, Veterans with Disabilities, and Returning Veterans exemptions.13Kane County Assessment Office. Forms You can also request forms by phone at 630-208-3818 or visit the Assessment Office in Geneva Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Deadlines and Renewals
The filing deadline for the Senior Assessment Freeze (Form PTAX-340) for tax year 2026 is June 15, 2026.13Kane County Assessment Office. Forms Other exemption deadlines vary, but most annual filings need to be in by mid-summer to count for the current tax year. Missing the deadline usually means losing that year’s savings entirely; the county generally will not apply an exemption retroactively.
Not every exemption needs new paperwork each year. The General Homestead and Homestead Improvement exemptions often renew automatically. The Senior Assessment Freeze always requires a new PTAX-340 because income has to be verified. The Persons with Disabilities exemption renews annually with PTAX-343-R.3Illinois Department of Revenue. Property Tax Relief – Homestead Exemptions, PTELL, and Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program If you qualify for more than one, track each renewal separately. Approved exemptions show up on the tax bill for the following calendar year, so review your assessment notice each year to confirm every exemption you were granted is still there.
If Your Exemption Is Denied
Start with the township assessor who handles your area. A formal challenge then goes to the Kane County Board of Review, which can adjust valuations based on the evidence you present.14Kane County Assessment Office. Assessment Complaints One boundary worth knowing: the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) hears assessment-value appeals but has no authority to grant or deny exemptions.15Property Tax Appeal Board. PTAB – Home If your dispute is specifically about an exemption denial, the Board of Review or circuit court is where it gets resolved, not PTAB.