The Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application is the form the Cook County Treasurer's Office uses to let service members on active duty defer payment of real estate taxes. It is one of the Cook County property tax forms published by the Treasurer, and it can be completed by the service member, an adult dependent or a person the service member authorizes. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published by the Cook County Treasurer, and the signed copy is mailed to that office.
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What is Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application – Cook County, IL?
The Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application is the Cook County Treasurer's form on which a service member on active duty asks to defer payment of real estate taxes under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act, as amended. The form's header cites the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Act of 1940, as amended.
According to the form, the deferral extends to taxes becoming due between your active duty and 180 days from your release from active duty. Federal law permits interest on deferred taxes at 6% per annum instead of the interest and penalties imposed by state law. State law allows the local tax collector to waive the interest, and the form says it is the position of the Treasurer's office to waive interest for a period of 180 days.
The deferral and the waiver apply only to property occupied for dwelling, professional, business or agricultural purposes by the service member or the service member's dependants or employees. By signing, the applicant represents and warrants that the application is for qualifying property only.
The application collects your contact and military service details, the Property Index Number (PIN) and use of the property, and verification of your active duty status. The Treasurer's website lists it as Application for Property Tax Relief for Military Personnel, among its exemption pages and apart from the Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption. The form is headed Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer.
Who needs to file Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application – Cook County, IL?
Military personnel on active duty who own or are responsible for real estate taxes on qualifying property in Cook County use this application to defer payment of those taxes.
The form may be completed by:
- the military service person;
- his or her adult dependent; or
- any other individual the service person authorizes to act on his or her behalf.
The property must be occupied for dwelling, professional, business or agricultural purposes by the service member or the service member's dependants or employees. The form asks you to mark how the property is used (Personal Residence, Bus./Prof., Agriculture or Other), whether the applicant and/or dependents occupy and own it, and whether the taxes are currently paid from an impound/escrow account.
Property that does not meet the occupancy rule does not qualify, and the application is a representation and warranty by the service member that it covers qualifying property only.
When to file Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application – Cook County, IL
File the application once you are on active duty or are about to report: the form asks for the date you reported (or will report) for active duty and the date of your orders. The deferral it requests covers taxes becoming due between your active duty and 180 days from your release from active duty.
The form prints no filing deadline. For questions about timing, contact the Cook County Treasurer's Office at (312) 443-5100.
By signing, you promise to advise the Collector promptly of your release from active duty. The Collector may also write to the address you give on the form to request a statement of your military status periodically.
Documents you need
- A copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer, attached to the application to document your military service and active duty status.
How to fill out Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application – Cook County, IL
Enter your contact information
Under Contact Information, write your Name, Address, City/State/Zip, Daytime Phone and E-Mail.
Enter your military service details
Fill in Branch of Military Service, Status, Date of Entry into Military Service and Serial No.
Prepare the orders attachment
The form asks you to attach a copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer. Have it ready to send with the printed application.
Identify the property
Under Property Information, enter the Property Index Number (PIN) and the Property Address.
Mark how the property is used
Next to The property is used as, mark Personal Residence, Bus./Prof., Agriculture or Other. If you choose Other, specify the use on the line provided.
Answer the ownership and escrow questions
Mark Yes or No for whether the property is occupied and owned by the applicant and/or dependents, and for whether your taxes are currently paid from an impound/escrow account.
Complete the active duty verification
Enter the date you reported (or will report) for active duty and the Date of Orders.
Give the Collector's mailing address
Provide the Address and City/State/Zip where the Collector can write periodically to request a statement of your military status.
Sign and date the declaration
Sign and date under the declaration, made under penalty of perjury. The service member, an adult dependent or an individual authorized by the service member may complete the form.
Review, download and print the PDF
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, sign it and mail it with your orders as described under How to submit.
How to submit Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application – Cook County, IL
The Treasurer's page for this form directs you to complete the fields, print the form, sign it and mail it. Mail is the only channel it names.
- By mail: Cook County Treasurer, Legal Department, 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602.
- Questions: the Cook County Treasurer's Office lists (312) 443-5100.
Attach a copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer to the application, as the form asks. The form does not mention a fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the copy of your orders or the letter from your commanding officer, which the form asks you to attach.
- Applying for property that is not occupied for dwelling, professional, business or agricultural purposes by the service member, dependants or employees.
- Assuming the interest waiver lasts beyond 180 days; the form states the office waives interest for a period of 180 days.
- Leaving the Verification of Active Duty Status block incomplete, including the date of orders and the address where the Collector can write.
- Mailing the form without printing and signing it; the Treasurer's page says to print, sign and mail it.
- Sending it somewhere other than the Cook County Treasurer, Legal Department, 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602.
- Forgetting to advise the Collector promptly of your release from active duty, which the signed declaration promises.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Military Personnel Property Tax Relief Application?
It is the Cook County Treasurer's form for service members on active duty to defer payment of real estate taxes under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act, as amended. The deferral covers taxes becoming due between your active duty and 180 days from your release.
Can I defer my Cook County property tax while on active duty?
Yes, if the property qualifies. The form says military personnel on active duty are eligible to defer real estate taxes, and you request it by filing this application with the Cook County Treasurer. The property must be occupied for dwelling, professional, business or agricultural purposes by you, your dependants or employees.
Who can complete the application for a service member?
The service member, his or her adult dependent, or any other individual the service member authorizes to act on his or her behalf. The declaration at the bottom is made under penalty of perjury and is signed and dated on the form.
What do I attach to the application?
Attach a copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer. The form asks for it in the Contact Information section, together with your branch of service, status, date of entry into military service and serial number.
Where do I mail the Cook County military relief application?
Print and sign it, then mail it to Cook County Treasurer, Legal Department, 118 North Clark Street, Room 112, Chicago, IL 60602. The Treasurer's page names mail as the way to submit it. Questions can go to (312) 443-5100.
How long does the interest waiver last?
The form says the Treasurer's office waives interest for a period of 180 days. Federal law permits interest of 6% per annum on deferred taxes instead of state-law interest and penalties, and state law lets the local tax collector waive interest.
Do I have to tell the Treasurer when I leave active duty?
Yes. By signing, you declare that you will advise the Collector promptly of your release from active duty. The form also asks for an address where the Collector can write periodically to request a statement of your military status.
Can I fill out this form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the Cook County Treasurer and does not file the application; you sign and mail it to the Treasurer's office yourself.
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