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Assessor John Batteau: Real savings on your real estate tax bill if you qualify

John Batteau, Perry County Supervisor of Assessments, and his staff recently mailed 2,000 senior homestead and senior freeze homestead exemption renewal forms for 2015. Eligibility for senior homestead is 65 years old and be owner/occupant of your residence. Eligibility for senior freeze homestead is 65 years old, total household income does not exceed $55,000 and be owner/occupant of your residence.

Additionally, another 352 disabled veterans and disabled persons exemptions renewal forms have been mailed. Another 843 exempt property forms (certificate status of exempt property) have been mailed. These exemptions must be recertified each year to verify the property's continuing exempt status.

Also, 1,035 mobile home registration forms have been mailed to owners to verify their continuing eligibility for taxation under the Mobile Home Privilege Tax Law.

Batteau said there are real savings to be captured on your property tax bill if you qualify.

The exemptions and the requirements are itemized below:

Returning Veterans Exemption

1.) $5,000 exemption/must own property and occupy or lease the property on Jan. 1 of the assessment year as his or her principal residence.

2.) Can receive this exemption (again if you return from active duty in a subsequent year.

Disabled Homestead Exemption

1.)Disability certification letter from the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs.

2.) 50% to 69% disability=$2,500 exemption.

3.) 70% to 100% disability=$5,000 exemption.

4.) Can call U.S. Dept. of Veteran's Affairs at (618) 997-5311.

5.) Must be service connected.

Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption

1.) Award letter (or) verification letter stating type of social security. Benefit (SSA-4926-SM-DI, COLA SSA-L8151, SSA-L8155 or SSA-LB8156.

2.) Disabled person ID card from the Illinois Secretary of State.

3.) Class 2 or Class 2A cards qualify.

4.) Class 1 or Class 1A does not qualify.

5.) $2,000 exemption.

Owner-Occupied

1.) $6,000 exemption (if you own and occupy a single family residence).

Senior Homestead Exemption

1.) $5,000 exemption. Must be 65 years old and occupy the property as a residence or lease and occupy a single-family residence.

Senior Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption

1.) 1. You are at least 65 years of age.

2.) Your total household income is $55,000 or less.

3.) You meet certain other qualifications/must live in residence two Januarys.

4.) This exemption "freezes" your property's equalized assessed value the year that you qualify for the exemption.

Home Improvement Exemption

1.) The exemption is limited to the fair cash value up to an annual maximum of $75,000 that was added to homestead property by any new improvement and continues for four years.