VetsWifeAndMom

My husband was rated 100% P&T. We were married after I had purchased our home. We never bothered to have his name added to the deed because it was addressed in my will. He died shortly after we found out about this exemption. The tax assessor says that I don't qualify because my husband did not have a recorded ownership of the property. The regulations do not state that ownership recorded or not, is a requirement for this exemption, but the application forms printed and supplied by the State of Illinois do. I have contacted every political representative and the IL Veterans Service Officer... No help. I have contacted Lisa Madigan's office... no reply. I was told by my Senators' aide to take it before the tax review board. I was told by my congressman's aide that ownership is a requirement. I told him to read the law. Any suggestions? I surely can't be the only widow in the State who owned the property before marriage. I can prove it was his primary residence, but they don't care about that. How can we get this enforced? And, what about the taxes that are being collected while they refuse to acknowledge the law? (35 ILCS 200/15-169 new) Sec. 15-169. DISABLED VETERAN STANDARD HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. (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. (f) For the purposes of this Section: "Qualified residence" means real property, but less any portion of that property that is used for commercial purposes, with an equalized assessed value (EAV)of less than $250,000 that is the disabled veteran's primary residence. Property rented for more than 6 months is presumed to be used for commercial purposes.