Who can apply for the senior homestead exemption?

The form says the taxpayer must be at least 65 by December 31 of the assessment year, occupy the property as a primary residence, and be liable for its real estate taxes.

How do I submit the application?

File the original with the Jo Daviess County Assessment Office at 330 N Bench Street, Ste 1 B, Galena, IL 61036. The form lists May 31, 2026, as the filing date.

What documents should I include with the application?

The form requests a photo ID and address verification using two forms of ID. It also requires a recent tax bill for each other property you own; trust properties require a trust copy or bank letter.

Do I need a notary for the Senior Homestead Exemption Application?

No. The application is signed and dated without a notary. It includes an oath statement but does not request a notarized signature or sworn attachment.

Jo Daviess County, IL · Jo Daviess County

No notary required

Senior Homestead Exemption Application

Jo Daviess County homeowners use this application to request a senior homestead exemption for their primary residence.

At a glance

Issued by: City of Jo Daviess County · Jo Daviess County, Jo Daviess County, Illinois
Notarization: Not required: file this form without a notary.
Official source: jodaviesscountyil.gov
Blank form: Download the PDF
Catalogued: Oct 5, 2026
Machine-readable: JSON record · about the forms index

What this form is

This application lets eligible homeowners request a senior homestead exemption for a property they occupy as their primary residence and are liable for paying taxes on. The county says applicants must be at least 65 by December 31 of the assessment year and file by May 31. It asks for owner, property, and residence information, signatures, and supporting identification and property documents.

Who needs it

Homeowners seeking the exemption must apply if they meet the age, ownership or interest, primary-residence, and property-tax liability requirements.

How to submit it

File the original application with the Jo Daviess County Assessment Office, Chief County Assessment Office, 330 N Bench Street, Ste 1 B, Galena, IL 61036, by May 31, 2026. The form lists [email protected].

About notarization

This application is signed and dated without a notary; it includes an oath statement, but does not ask for a notarized signature or sworn attachment.

How to submit this form

1
Download the Application
Download the Senior Homestead Exemption Application for the assessment year.
2
Complete the Application
Enter the parcel, owner, property, and residence information; eligible owners sign and date the oath section.
3
Gather Supporting Documents
Include photo ID and address verification using two forms of ID. Include recent tax bills for other properties you own, if applicable.
4
Submit to the County
File the original with the Jo Daviess County Assessment Office by May 31, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the senior homestead exemption?: The form says the taxpayer must be at least 65 by December 31 of the assessment year, occupy the property as a primary residence, and be liable for its real estate taxes.
How do I submit the application?: File the original with the Jo Daviess County Assessment Office at 330 N Bench Street, Ste 1 B, Galena, IL 61036. The form lists May 31, 2026, as the filing date.
What documents should I include with the application?: The form requests a photo ID and address verification using two forms of ID. It also requires a recent tax bill for each other property you own; trust properties require a trust copy or bank letter.
Do I need a notary for the Senior Homestead Exemption Application?: No. The application is signed and dated without a notary. It includes an oath statement but does not request a notarized signature or sworn attachment.

Need something notarized?

This Senior Homestead Exemption Application doesn’t need a notary, but Illinois residents can notarize other documents online with a commissioned online notary.