If you own a home in Bolingbrook, chances are you can lower your property tax bill with exemptions you may already qualify for. Many owners leave money on the table because the rules feel confusing or the forms change year to year. You want clear answers, simple steps, and confidence you are filing correctly. This guide breaks down the most common exemptions, who qualifies, and how to apply in Will County so you can keep more of your money. Let’s dive in.
How property tax exemptions work
Property tax exemptions in Illinois come from the Property Tax Code and are applied locally by your county and township. Most exemptions reduce your home’s Equalized Assessed Value, or EAV. Your tax bill is calculated using EAV times tax rates, so an EAV reduction lowers your taxable base, not a fixed dollar amount. Review the state’s overview of programs on the Illinois Department of Revenue’s property tax relief page.
Some programs do not cut the EAV, they freeze it. The Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze locks in your EAV at a base year if you meet age and household income rules. Your bill can still change if local taxing bodies change their levies. Get program definitions directly from the state at the property tax relief page.
In Will County, exemptions and forms are handled through the Will County Supervisor of Assessments. You can download current PTAX forms and see filing instructions on the Will County SOA forms page.
Exemptions Bolingbrook owners use most
General Homestead Exemption
- What it does: Reduces the EAV for your owner-occupied primary residence.
- Will County amount: Up to an $8,000 EAV reduction.
- How to get it: Many homes receive it automatically. If you do not see it on your bill, contact your township assessor. Learn more on the Will County homestead exemptions page.
Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption (age 65+)
- Will County amount: Up to an $8,000 EAV reduction, in addition to the General Homestead when eligible.
- Who qualifies: You must be 65 during the assessment year, own and occupy the home, and be liable for taxes.
- How to file: First-time applicants file PTAX-324. Get the form on the Will County SOA forms page.
Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze (income qualified)
- What it does: Freezes your EAV at a base year, preventing increases in assessed value.
- Income limit: In recent years, the household income limit cited in state materials has been $65,000. Always confirm the current year’s threshold.
- Deadline and form: Counties under 3 million residents, including Will, typically set a July 1 filing deadline. File PTAX-340. Review program details on the state’s property tax relief page and download the current PTAX-340 from the Will County SOA forms page.
Disabled Persons’ Homestead Exemption
- Amount: $2,000 EAV reduction for a qualified disabled person’s primary residence.
- Filing: Initial application PTAX-343 with proof of disability, then annual verification using PTAX-343-R.
- Tip: You cannot combine certain disability and veterans exemptions in the same year. See the state’s summary at the property tax relief page.
Veterans’ exemptions
- Returning Veterans Homestead: One-time $5,000 EAV reduction for the year you return from active duty. File PTAX-341 from the Will County SOA forms page.
- Standard Homestead for Veterans with Disabilities: Tiered by VA-rated disability. 30%–49%: $2,500 EAV reduction. 50%–69%: $5,000 reduction. 70% or higher: a substantially larger benefit may apply under statute. Recent legislative updates have adjusted some rules and caps. Review current guidance on the state’s property tax relief page and use PTAX-342/342-R.
- Note: Only one disability-related exemption may apply in a single year. Choose the most favorable.
Homestead Improvement Exemption
- What it does: Excludes the added fair cash value from new improvements or eligible rebuilds from your assessment for a limited time.
- Amount and period: Up to $75,000 in added fair cash value can be exempt for a set number of years, commonly four.
- Form: PTAX-323 where required. See the Will County SOA forms page.
Disabled Veterans’ Exemption for Specially Adapted Housing
- What it does: Large assessed value relief, sometimes up to a full exemption, for housing purchased or built with federal VA specially adapted housing funds.
- Coordination: Annual VA certification is typically required. This exemption cannot be combined with some other disability homestead exemptions in the same year. See details on the state relief page.
Bolingbrook spans Will and DuPage
Bolingbrook includes areas in both Will and DuPage counties. Start by confirming your Property Index Number and township. If your parcel is in Will County, use Will County forms and deadlines. If your parcel is in the DuPage County portion of Bolingbrook, follow DuPage County and your township assessor’s process. You can locate forms and property search tools from the Will County SOA forms page.
How to apply in Will County
Follow these steps for a smooth filing:
- Find your PIN and township using Will County’s resources, and review your most recent tax bill to see what exemptions already show.
- Visit the Will County SOA exemptions and forms page to download the current PTAX forms for your program.
- Gather documents:
- Recorded deed or title
- Photo ID
- Current tax bill or PIN
- Proof of age for senior exemptions
- Income documents for the Senior Freeze per PTAX-340 instructions
- VA disability documents or physician statements where applicable
- Submit forms to your township assessor or the Will County SOA as the instructions specify. The SOA office is at 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432. Phone: (815) 740-4648.
- Watch the deadlines. For the Senior Freeze, counties under 3 million residents typically require filing by July 1. Always confirm current-year dates on the SOA site. Will County mails renewal applications in the spring, and noted that 2025 renewals were mailed April 11, 2025 on the SOA site.
- Keep copies of everything for your records. Programs such as the Senior Freeze are subject to verification.
If you missed a deadline or were denied
Start by contacting your township assessor. Many issues can be corrected informally. If you still disagree, you can file with the Will County Board of Review during its annual window. The Board typically opens in August and accepts complaints for a set period after reassessments are published. As an example, the 2025 window ran from August 6 to September 8. See current instructions on the Will County Assessment Complaint Process page. If needed, you can appeal to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board within 30 days of the Board’s decision.
Keep your tax bill on track
Exemptions reduce your assessment, but you still need to pay your tax bills on time. If you have payment or timing questions, contact the Will County Treasurer at (815) 740-4675 or visit the county offices at 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet. For county office contacts, see the Will County offices page.
If you are planning a move, note that exemptions stay with the property. You will need to apply again at your new primary residence, and a Senior Freeze is tied to the property with the frozen base year. Update your mailing address with the assessor and treasurer after closing.
Ready to make the most of your exemptions as you plan your next move? For local guidance that fits your timeline and goals in Bolingbrook and nearby suburbs, connect with Jeff Stainer. Our team helps you prepare, price, and position your home while you stay on top of key paperwork like exemptions and transfers.
FAQs
What is the General Homestead Exemption in Will County?
- It is an annual EAV reduction for your primary residence, up to $8,000 in Will County, which lowers the taxable base used to compute your bill.
How can I tell if my Bolingbrook home already has exemptions?
- Check your tax bill for listed exemptions, then contact your township assessor or the Will County Supervisor of Assessments if something appears missing.
What counts as income for the Senior Freeze?
- The state has used a $65,000 household income limit in recent years and includes items like Social Security and pensions; verify details on PTAX-340 and the state relief page.
Can I combine disabled person and veterans exemptions?
- Some programs can be stacked, but certain disability and veterans exemptions cannot be taken together in the same year; choose the most beneficial per the state program rules.
What is the filing deadline for the Senior Freeze in Will County?
- Counties under 3 million residents typically require filing by July 1, but you should confirm the current-year date on the Will County SOA forms page.
What if my Bolingbrook property is in DuPage County?
- Follow DuPage County and your township assessor’s procedures, since Bolingbrook spans both Will and DuPage counties; first confirm your county and township by checking your PIN and tax bill.
