putintime

Just received this email, my response is also attached: Will keep you all informed Dear ; I am responding to your emails, fax, and letter dated December 19, 2007 inquiring why the Disabled Veterans Standard Homestead Exemption under Section 15-169 of the Property Tax Code is a reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the property when EAV is not specified in the law. The section of the Property Tax Code that allows for homestead exemptions has consistently provided for a reduction in the EAV of property. This is consistent with the other homestead exemptions including: Senior Citizens' Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-70), Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-172), General Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-175), and Alternative General Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-176), in addition to the recently established homestead exemptions for Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-167), Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-168), and The Long-time Occupant Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-177). There is a distinction made in the Property Tax Code between homestead exemptions and the abatement of taxes. A homestead exemption is a reduction in a property's equalized assessed value whereas a tax abatement is an ordinance implemented by vote where there is a reduction in the amount of property taxes to be paid. Jo Ellen Mahr, Manager Property Tax Division Assistance and Education Section My response; January 8, 2008 1230 Dear Ms. JoEllen Mahr, Thank you for your response. Although I am still confused on a couple of areas. Please bear with me as I explain with the highlighted areas from your last email: The section of the Property Tax Code that allows for homestead exemptions has consistently provided for a reduction in the EAV of property. This is consistent with the other homestead exemptions including: Senior Citizens' Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-70) Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-172) General Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-175) Alternative General Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-176) Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-167) Disabled Persons' Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-168) The Long-time Occupant Homestead Exemption (Sec. 15-177) You are correct; all of these Sections are very specific on the intent of the EAV, and where it is to be applied. The Disabled Veteran Standard Homestead Exemption (DVSHE) (Sec. 15-169) mentions the EAV only when it pertains to the $250,000 residence value limitations. So my questions' are these? Why would the law be written in this manner? The majority of other states have property tax exemptions for severally disabled veterans, isn't Illinois trying to come on line with them? What does this EAV in $250,000 residence value limitation mean then? If I were to pay property tax on a $250,000 EAV residence, wouldn't my annual property taxes be around $15,000 in the state of Illinois? Why would anyone get an EAV tax exemption if a house was worth around $850,000? (we can only dream…) There is a distinction made in the Property Tax Code between homestead exemptions and the abatement of taxes. A homestead exemption is a reduction in a property's equalized assessed value whereas a tax abatement is an ordinance implemented by vote where there is a reduction in the amount of property taxes to be paid. If this true, why was the law not written this way, as in all 8 other sections of this particular Public Act then? Oversight??? Come on…. I understand abatement is when a person goes in and appeals their tax bill compared to another property that they figure is of same value, the CCAO & board vote to see if it is justified for a property tax break. There is another terminology for this but…I'll stick to the subject at hand. Go to the current 95th Illinois General Assembly (IGA), and look at all the other pending legislation concerning severally disabled veterans and property Tax in the state of Illinois. It is very obvious what the representatives and senators legislators have in mind. There is nothing mentioned about EAV and homestead exemption: 95th IGA - HB0114, HB1010, HB1012, HB1139, HB 1725 SB0063, SB0089 Historically the IGA has dealt with this issue to bring justice to the severally disabled veterans in Illinois on limited income. 94th IGA - HB0651, HB2551, HB4247, HB4646 SB2146, SB3082 If there is property tax code book that specifically mentions EAV and homestead exemptions, please give me guidance to obtain this information from it so that I can educate other fellow Illinois veterans. Please Assist Sincerely, Illinois concerned veteran

Found where the confusion is between IDOR and County Assessor.. The new Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-169) provides a reduction in a property's EAV to a qualifying property owned by a veteran with a service-connected disability certified by the U. S. Department of Veterans' Affairs. A $2,500 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 50% but less than 75% or a $5,000 homestead exemption is available to a veteran with a serviceconnected disability of at least 75%. A disabled veteran must file an annual application by the county's due date to continue to receive this exemption. This is why the County Chief Assessor Officer (CCAO) are sticking to the PTAX-342 form, we just need to let them know, that we know, how the law reads (Public Act 95-0644 Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169(new)) when we file, and if they don't follow the law as it is written, then we will appeal if need be. Just send a copy of the Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/15-169(new) copied and section a) Beginning with taxable year 2007, an annual homestead exemption, limited to the amounts set forth in subsection (, is granted for property that is used as a qualified residence by a disabled veteran. (:P The amount of the exemption under this Section is as follows: (1) for veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 75%, as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual exemption is $5,000; and (2) for veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50%, but less than 75%, as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the annual exemption is $2,500 (highlighted) when you file your PTAX-342 form, but do it in a timely manner according to your counties set deadline. Hope this helps.... Take Care putintime

Sorry I posted this in another section, but it belongs here; A newbie mistake :P First, I want to thank grunt1949 for introducing me to this site. Second, The information below is in paragraphs, because I cut and paste from a different veteran site, to give you all the updated information that I have. Effective 17 October 2007 Illinois General Assembly & Governor signed Public Act 95-0644. This is good news for almost all returning soldiers for armed conflict areas, disabled veterans, and a step in the right direction for future Illinois veterans. Mostly deals homestead exemptions and property tax. Hope this info helps those uninformed. The form is PTAX-342, An application for Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (DVSHE) form has been generated from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). It is correct on the proper property tax exemption, although all over the form mentions Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) reduction. It is funny that no where in Public Act 95-0644, 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) does it mention EAV until they write about limit value of exemption (which is $250,000 EAV) on total resident property worth. All other sections in this Illinois Public Act 95-0644 that was passed 17 October 2007, write about EAV and are very specific on the intent in the 8 different sections concerning "Homestead Exemptions". 35 ILCS 200/15-165 35 ILCS 200/15-167 35 ILCS 200/15-168 35 ILCS 200/15-170 35 ILCS 200/15-172 35 ILCS 200/15-175 35 ILCS 200/15-177 35 ILCS 200/15-176 To be told this is just an "oversight" sounds goofy to me. How many lawyers picked through this before it became a law? I have personally faxed and mailed letters to all the co-sponsors of HR0664 that generated this Public Act 95-0644, and have only recieved 1 call saying that it was being looked into. Also letters & faxes have been sent to the Illinois Governor, Asst Gov, Illinois Director of Veteran Affairs (IDVA), Mayor of Chicago, and the IDOR for clarity on this law for disabled veterans. Please help us out, Call your Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them to quote the law of Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) as it reads, and not what they "assume". Remember power is in numbers!!! Here is some quick numbers for you: This will make a difference of $2500 / $5000 yearly off your property tax, compared to $200 to $500 a year, which is what our property taxes in Illinois have annually gone up historically for the last 10 years. Illinois has always been way behind to other states when properly compensating the severally disabled veterans that are on limited income because of their disabilities. There is a time limitation for each county in Illinois when using the form PTAX-342 and it must be submitted in order to get this benefit for this year 2008 (2007 assessed year). Read the fine print on the back of the form concerning documentation that is needed, it can be misleading. Just call the Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them what the Public Act 95-0644 Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) reads. As stated earlier many letters and faxes have been sent to many people, and I called the LaSalle County Assessors office today to find out the deadline to sent the form PTAX-342 to get credit for this year (last year property taxes 2007) Ours is 28 February 2008. Call Ms. Taylor at (708) 202-2715 to get an updated disability certification letter for this tax year. Your DD214 needs to be certified by the recorders office. Get your PTAX-342 form in ASAP they (County assessors office) mentioned that there is a "loophole" that they are trying to rectify. Personally, I know the "loophole" they are talking about is the wording in section 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) of Public Act 95-0644. Let them know that you are aware of it, and contact all Illinois veterans to contact their state representatives & senators to keep the pressure on keeping this bill as is. Sorry to ramble, just want to help fellow Illinois veterans. Take Care,

First, I want to thank grunt1949 for introducing me to this site. Second, The information below is in paragraphs, because I cut and paste from a different veteran site, to give you all the updated information that I have. Effective 17 October 2007 Illinois General Assembly & Governor signed Public Act 95-0644. This is good news for almost all returning soldiers for armed conflict areas, disabled veterans, and a step in the right direction for future Illinois veterans. Mostly deals homestead exemptions and property tax. Hope this info helps those uninformed. The form is PTAX-342, An application for Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption (DVSHE) form has been generated from the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). It is correct on the proper property tax exemption, although all over the form mentions Estimated Assessed Value (EAV) reduction. It is funny that no where in Public Act 95-0644, 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) does it mention EAV until they write about limit value of exemption (which is $250,000 EAV) on total resident property worth. All other sections in this Illinois Public Act 95-0644 that was passed 17 October 2007, write about EAV and are very specific on the intent in the 8 different sections concerning "Homestead Exemptions". 35 ILCS 200/15-165 35 ILCS 200/15-167 35 ILCS 200/15-168 35 ILCS 200/15-170 35 ILCS 200/15-172 35 ILCS 200/15-175 35 ILCS 200/15-177 35 ILCS 200/15-176 To be told this is just an "oversight" sounds goofy to me. How many lawyers picked through this before it became a law? I have personally faxed and mailed letters to all the co-sponsors of HR0664 that generated this Public Act 95-0644, and have only recieved 1 call saying that it was being looked into. Also letters & faxes have been sent to the Illinois Governor, Asst Gov, Illinois Director of Veteran Affairs (IDVA), Mayor of Chicago, and the IDOR for clarity on this law for disabled veterans. Please help us out, Call your Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them to quote the law of Public Act 95-0644, Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) as it reads, and not what they "assume". Remember power is in numbers!!! Here is some quick numbers for you: This will make a difference of $2500 / $5000 yearly off your property tax, compared to $200 to $500 a year, which is what our property taxes in Illinois have annually gone up historically for the last 10 years. Illinois has always been way behind to other states when properly compensating the severally disabled veterans that are on limited income because of their disabilities. There is a time limitation for each county in Illinois when using the form PTAX-342 and it must be submitted in order to get this benefit for this year 2008 (2007 assessed year). Read the fine print on the back of the form concerning documentation that is needed, it can be misleading. Just call the Chief County Assessor Officer (CCAO) and ask them what the Public Act 95-0644 Section 35 ILCS 200/ 15-169 (new) reads. As stated earlier many letters and faxes have been sent to many people, and I called the LaSalle County Assessors office today to find out the deadline to sent the form PTAX-342 to get credit for this year (last year property taxes 2007) Ours is 28 February 2008. Call Ms. Taylor at (708) 202-2715 to get an updated disability certification letter for this tax year. Your DD214 needs to be certified by the recorders office. Get your PTAX-342 form in ASAP they (County assessors office) mentioned that there is a "loophole" that they are trying to rectify. Personally, I know the "loophole" they are talking about is the wording in section 35 ILCS 200/15-169 (new) of Public Act 95-0644. Let them know that you are aware of it, and contact all Illinois veterans to contact their state representatives & senators to keep the pressure on keeping this bill as is. Sorry to ramble, just want to help fellow Illinois veterans. Take Care, putintime