Property Tax Exemptions

Property tax exemptions are a financial relief mechanism designed to lessen the tax burden on specific groups of property owners. These exemptions serve as a means to provide economic assistance to eligible individuals, such as senior citizens, disabled veterans, or other qualifying entities. By reducing or eliminating property tax obligations for those who meet certain criteria, Wayne County aims to address the unique needs of its residents.

To apply for a property tax exemption in Wayne County, the initial application must be completed in person at the Supervisor of Assessments Office. The office is located in the Wayne County Courthouse at 301 E Main Street, Suite 101, in Fairfield, Illinois. For questions or more information, please contact the Supervisor of Assessments Office at 618-842-2582.

General Homestead Exemption (GHE) Owner Occupied

Application Requirements: No application. Contact our office to see if you qualify.
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: July 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: N/A
Age Requirements: N/A
Description: Exemption on the owner-occupied residence as of January 1 of the assessment year with up to $6,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value.

Homestead Improvement Exemption

Application Requirements: Form PTAX-323
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: July 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: N/A
Age Requirements: N/A
Description: The Homestead Improvement Exemption defers for four years from completion any increase in the assessment of your property due to a home improvement for which the assessor would add value. A residential property must be owner occupied to qualify. The maximum homestead improvement exemption amount is $75,000 market value (which would result in a maximum assessment exemption of $25,000.)

Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption

Application Requirements: Form PTAX-324 initially, then PTAX-329 annually.
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: May 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: N/A
Age Requirements: 65
Description: Exemption on the owner-occupied residence as of January 1 of the assessment year with a $5,000 reduction in equalized assessed value. May prorate the exemption for a senior citizen that occupies the property as their principal residence after January 1 of any assessment year. Needs to file annually. Eligible if the applicant turns 65 within the tax year.

Low Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (SCAFHE)

Requirements: File PTAX-340 annually.
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: July 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: 2026: $75,000 or less per household in 2025 (includes every person living in the home.)
2027: $77,000 or less per household in 2026 (includes every person living in the home.)
2028: $79,000 or less per household in 2027 (includes every person living in the home.)
Age Requirements: 65
Description: Freezes the equalized assessed value on owner-occupied residence set at the base amount for the base year preventing your taxable assessed value from increasing on the non-farm portion of the parcel. This does not freeze the amount of your taxes, only the assessment. Eligible if the applicant turns 65 within the tax year.

Homestead Exemption for Persons with Disabilities (HEPD)

Application Requirements: Form PTAX-343 initially, then PTAX-343R annually
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: May 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: N/A
Age Requirements: N/A
Description: Provides an annual $2000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the property owned and occupied as the primary residence on January 1 of the assessment year by a person with a disability who is liable for the payment of property taxes.
To qualify for the HEPD you must:

Provide a class 2 Illinois Person with a Disability Identification card from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Class 2 or Class 2a qualifies for this exemption. Class 1 or 1a does not qualify.
Own or have a legal or equitable interest in the property on which a single-family residence is occupied as your primary residence on January 1 of the assessment year
Be liable for the payment of the property taxes.

Standard Homestead Exemption for VETERANS with Disabilities (SHEVD)

Application Requirements: Form PTAX-342 initially, then PTAX-342R annually
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: May 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: N/A
Age Requirements: N/A
Description: Beginning with the 2015 (payable 2016) year, the reduction is this exemption reduces the equalized assessed value (EAV) by the amount listed below based on the overall or combined service-connected disability rating.

Service-connected disability of 30% to 49% will receive $2,500 off of their equalized assessed value.
Service-connected disability of 50% to 69% will receive $5,000 off of their equalized assessed value.
Service-connected disability of. 70% or above will receive up to $250,000 off of their residential assessed value.

To qualify for the SHEVD, the veteran must:

Be an Illinois resident who served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty or state active duty, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces and receives disability compensation;
Have at least 30 percent service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Own and occupy the property as the primary residence during all or a portion of the assessment year or lease and occupy a single-family residence during all or a portion of the assessment year and be liable for the payment of the property taxes to the county.

Note: The first $250,000 of equalized assessed value, after subtracting any portion used for commercial purposes, may qualify for the exemption if the appropriate criteria are met. “Commercial purposes” includes any portion of the property rented for more than six months.

Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption

Application Requirements: Form PTAX-341
File with: Chief County Assessment Office
Filing Deadline: May 1st of the tax year
Income Requirements: N/A
Age Requirements: N/A
Description: The Returning Veterans’ Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-187) provides a $5,000 reduction in the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the veteran’s principal residence for two consecutive assessment (tax) years, the tax year and the following year that the veteran returns from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the United States. The veteran must own and occupy the property as his or her principal residence on January 1 of each assessment year. A veteran who acquires a principal residence after January 1 of the year he or she returns home is eligible for the RVHE on the principal residence owned and occupied on January 1 of the next tax year.

To qualify for this exemption you must:

Be an Illinois resident who has served as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Illinois National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces
Return from active duty in an armed conflict involving the armed forces of the U.S.
Have owned or had a legal or equitable interest in the property used as your principal place of residence on January 1 of the assessment year
Be liable for the payment of the property taxes