As we enter tax season, Wheaton’s Commission on Aging has the following information to share with Wheaton seniors related to tax exemptions and assistance programs.
Real estate taxes collected in DuPage County fund many services provided by municipalities, townships, DuPage County, school districts, and other public bodies. DuPage County and townships help determine the assessed values of properties which tax collections depend upon. The state has made available several assessment exemptions available to senior homeowners who occupy the property as their primary residence and are responsible for the payment of its real estate taxes.
- The first assessment reduction is available to all owners occupying the property as their primary residence. You can review your property tax bill for the “residential exemption.” If there is no amount shown, contact the Milton Township Assessor’s Office at 630-653-5220.
- The second exemption, available to homeowners over the age of 65, is the senior homestead exemption. To be eligible, you must be age 65 by Dec. 31 of the assessment year for which the application is made. If your real estate tax bill does not show an amount in this section, request an application form from the DuPage County Supervisor of Assessments by calling 630-407-5858.
- The third assessment exemption is the senior freeze. To qualify, the owner of the property must be 65 years of age and have a household income of $65,000 or less. If you qualify, your home’s assessment value is kept at the value of the year your application is accepted. Seniors need to reapply each year in order to reverify their income with the Supervisor of Assessments. Seniors may request the application by calling 630-407-5858.
The tax deferral program is another senior citizen homeowner real estate tax payment assistance program. Provided as a loan from the state of Illinois ,the state will pay up to $7,500 of the current real estate tax bill. The senior is charged 6% simple interest on this loan and a lien is filed on the property. Repayment is made upon the sale of the home. For an application, call the DuPage County Treasurer’s Office at 630-407-5900. Income restrictions apply.
The City of Wheaton has its own senior housing assistance program. This also offers an assistance program to both homeowners and renters of incomes below $30,000. Upon approval, a monthly amount is made available to help pay the senior’s routine housing expenses. For more information, contact the City of Wheaton at 630-260-2012.
More information on these tax mitigation programs is available online through DuPage County’s website or the City of Wheaton’s website.