November 28, 2016

Property Tax Rebate Program Extended To Friday, December 30

Property Tax Rebate Checks Mailed This Week to Homeowners Receiving the Rebate; Over 11,000 Homeowners Already Applied for a Rebate

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

To ensure as many Chicago homeowners as possible can participate, the City of Chicago is extending the application deadline for the Property Tax Rebate Program until the end of the year -- Friday, December 30.

“By extending the application deadline, we are ensuring that even more eligible working- and middle-class families are able to apply for a rebate in time for the holiday season,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This City-funded property tax rebate program is an important program for the City and provides hardworking homeowners some property tax relief.”

The Program was launched on October 1, 2016, and since then, over 11,000 Chicago homeowners have applied for their rebate. The average rebate amount is $109 with a total of over $1.2 million already scheduled to be provided to homeowners. Those homeowners that already applied for a rebate will be receiving their rebate checks beginning this week.

The Rebate Program provides Chicago homeowners with a household adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less with a rebate to help offset the increase in their property taxes. The rebate is a fixed amount between $25 and $200, determined using the increase in the homeowner’s City property taxes and the homeowner’s income.

The program also includes a senior supplement and an enhanced grant. The senior supplement provides additional relief to certain long time senior homeowners experiencing increased property taxes due to increases in their home values. The senior supplement is a fixed amount of $150. The enhanced grant provides additional property tax relief to eligible homeowners who are experiencing significant hardship. To be eligible for the enhanced grant, Chicago homeowners must meet at least one of the following requirements: enrolled in IL Benefits Access Program (Circuit Breaker), IL Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps), and/or IL Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); or receiving IL Unemployment Insurance; and/or Social Security Disability. Enhanced grant amounts are calculated by staff at the processing sites and verified by City of Chicago staff before rebate checks are mailed. The combined rebate amount is capped at the lesser of $1,000 or the amount of the increase in the City of Chicago portion of the property tax increase.

The City is utilizing third party agencies with community-based services and citywide reach to administer the rebate program. These agencies are staffing over 20 neighborhood locations Monday through Friday and many on Saturday as well. Additionally, these agencies assisted with over 15 special neighborhood events that include processing rebate applications and outreach around the program. These agencies will continue to support these special processing and outreach events citywide in the month of December.

Residents can apply for a rebate by visiting any one of the over 20 neighborhood locations. Chicago residents should bring a photo ID (Driver’s License, State ID, Consulate ID, Passport), their 2015 income tax returns or social security award letter, and the 2015 2nd installment property tax bill.

Additional information can be found at www.cityofchicago.org/ChicagoPropertyTaxRebate

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