 The program, which works like a loan, allows
qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $5,000 per tax year
(including both first and second installment payments). Deferred
amounts are borrowed from the State of Illinois, who pays the tax
bill to the County Collector’s Office.
Interest on the amount paid by the State accumulates and a lien
is placed on the property for all deferred tax payments and
interest, payable upon death of the homeowner, at the time the home
is transferred to a new owner, or sooner, if the program participant
chooses to pay off the deferred tax payments and interest.
“I encourage all eligible seniors who need help in paying their
property taxes to look into this program as the March 1 deadline is
quickly approaching,” Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) Director
David Harris said.To qualify for the Senior
Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program, a property owner must:
• be 65 years of age or older prior to June 1 of the year that the
application is being filed with the County Collector's Office,
• have a total annual household income of no more than $55,000,
• have owned and occupied the property or other
qualifying residence for at least the last three years,
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 • own the property, or share joint ownership with
a spouse, or be the sole beneficiary, or the property owner and
spouse be the sole beneficiaries of an Illinois land trust,
• have no unpaid property taxes and special assessments on the
property, and
• have adequate insurance against fire or casualty loss.
To apply for the program, seniors need to contact their local County
Collector’s Office to receive an application. Once completed, the
application must be filed with the Collector’s Office on or before
March 1 of each year they wish to defer their property taxes or
special assessments.
For general questions concerning the program, taxpayers may visit
IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov or contact their local County
Collector’s Office.
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