Lake Bluff, Lake Forest Seniors May be Eligible for Property Tax Freeze

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff seniors who are struggling to pay their homeowner property taxes will learn how to apply for a Lake County Homestead Assessment Freeze that could put a lid on their own annual property taxes if they qualify, according to Martin Paulson, chief Lake County assessment officer.

Qualifications include:

• Be 65 or older.
• Own property in Lake County as your principal residence for at least the past two years.
• Have household income less than $55,000 on your federal income tax last year.

The program will be held from 1-3 p.m. Thursday (May 19) at Lake Forest’s , 100 East Old Mill Road.

Residents should bring copies of their 2010 Federal Income Tax Form and their 2010 Social Security tax receipt statement. If the property is owned in trust, they may also need to bring proof of beneficiary.

This free program is one in a series of 14 outreach sessions held this month to assist residents in completing the 2011 Senior Citizen Homestead Assessment Freeze Application for taxes payable in 2012. County staff will work one-on-one with qualified senior homeowners to complete the necessary exemption forms.

The Lake County Assessment Office and the Lake County Township Assessors Association are sponsors of the free public service programs.

For more information, call (847) 377-2050, or visit the Lake County Assessor’s
website.