Preferential Assessments

The Illinois Property Tax Code provides preferential assessments (an assessment other than 33 1/3% of fair cash value) for certain types of property uses such as:

Wooded Acreage

The Property Tax Code provides several options for preferential assessment of wooded acreage. Illinois Department of Revenue Publication 135 (PDF) provides specific information for forestry management, conservation stewardship, and transition percentage. The Forestry Management and Conservation Stewardship programs are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Farmland & Farm Buildings

Farmland and buildings are assessed based upon their contribution to the farm. In order to qualify the land and/or buildings must be used for agricultural purposes. In order to apply for a farmland assessment, complete the Farmland Assessment Application (PDF) and return it to the Chief County Assessment Office along with all supporting documentation. Review the Illinois Department of Revenue Farmland and Buildings Manual (PDF) for more information. 

Definition

The statutory definition of a farm is any property used solely for the growing and harvesting of crops; for the feeding, breeding and management of livestock; for dairying or for any other agricultural or horticultural use or combination thereof; including, but not limited to, hay, grain, fruit, truck or vegetable crops, floriculture, mushroom growing, plant or tree nurseries, orchards, forestry, sod farming and greenhouses; the keeping raising and feeding of livestock or poultry, including dairying, poultry, swine, sheep, beef cattle, ponies or horses, fur farming, bees, fish and wildlife farming. The dwellings and parcels of property on which farm dwellings are immediately situated shall be assessed as part of the farm. Improvements, other than farm dwellings, shall be assessed as a part of the farm and in addition to the farm dwellings when such buildings contribute in whole or in part to the operation of the farm. For purposes of this Code, "farm" does not include property which is primarily used for residential purposes even though some farm products may be grown or farm animals bred or fed on the property incidental to its primary use. The ongoing removal of oil, gas, coal or any other mineral from property used for farming shall not cause that property to not be considered as used solely for farming. (Source: P.A. 86-1481; 87-877; 88-455.)

Demonstration Model Home

If your property is used for model home purposes you may qualify for the Demonstration Model Home preferential assessment. The property must be a single-family residence, townhome, or condominium, used solely as a model home for prospective buyers, and not occupied as a dwelling. The model home may contain home furnishings, appliances, offices, and office equipment to further sales activities. To apply, complete the Model Home Assessment Application (PDF) and return it to the CCAO by December 31 of the assessment year. If the home becomes ineligible for the Model Home Assessment, property owners are required to file the Certificate of Ineligibility (PDF) with the Chief County Assessment Officer within 60 days of ineligibility.

Fraternal Organization Assessment Freeze

The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (c)(10) fraternal organization assessment freeze, enacted under 35 ILCS 200/10-350, allows qualified fraternal organizations chartered by the state of Illinois prior to 1900, or its subordinate organization or entity, to elect to freeze the assessed value (AV) of the real property it owns and uses. The AV is frozen by the Chief County Assessment Officer at 15% of the AV for property for the tax year the property first qualifies. Any improvements or additions made to the property that increase the AV of the property are also frozen at 15% of the AV. Completed applications (PDF) should be forwarded to the Chief County Assessment Office.

Veterans' Organization Assessment Freeze

The veterans' organization assessment freeze (35 ILCS 200/10-300) allows qualified veteran organizations, chartered under federal law, to elect to freeze the AV of the real property it owns and on which is located the principal building for the post, camp, or chapter. The AV is frozen by the Chief County Assessment Officer at 15% of the AV for the property for the tax year that the property first qualifies. Any improvements or additions that are made to the property that increase the AV of the property also are frozen at 15% of the AV of the improvement or addition in the year first assessed. Completed applications (PDF) should be forwarded to the Chief County Assessment Office.