View Search Results

Maintains official vital records (birth, death, marriage, civil union, etc.), property taxes (maintains property tax information), election authority and county board. 

Provides free legal advice, brief service and representation to low-income people on areas such as: consumer law, family law, housing law, public benefits, disability benefits, employment/unemployment, public benefits, clearing a criminal history and educational rights.

After contacting one of the hotlines, cases may be referred to Legal Aid local offices for extended representation.

Private Attorney Involvement Program links clients to attorneys in their local area for free legal services in family law matters.

Taxpayer clinics educate low-income taxpayers about their tax rights and responsibilities and how to file for low-income tax credit.

Homeless Assistance Project (Douglas and Lancaster Counties) provides assistance with family law, child support modification, bankruptcy, license revocation, and disability claims.

Migrant Worker program provides civil legal services to migrant farm workers.

Housing counseling assists people who are homeless by making referrals and assessing their legal needs. Assists renters who are having problems getting things fixed, need help with landlord issues, or are facing eviction; work with HUD issues; assist home buyers or home owners with questions, etc.

Assists in the following areas, in addition to the programs already noted: Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Landlord-Tenant, Utility Shutoffs, Public Benefits, Unemployment, Family Law (including Divorce, Custody/Visitation, Child Support, Domestic Abuse).

Provides free legal advice, brief service and representation to low-income people on areas such as: consumer law, family law, housing law, public benefits, disability benefits, employment/unemployment, public benefits, clearing a criminal history and educational rights.

After contacting one of the hotlines, cases may be referred to Legal Aid local offices for extended representation.

Private Attorney Involvement Program links clients to attorneys in their local area for free legal services in family law matters.

Taxpayer clinics educate low-income taxpayers about their tax rights and responsibilities and how to file for low-income tax credit.

Homeless Assistance Project (Douglas and Lancaster Counties) provides assistance with family law, child support modification, bankruptcy, license revocation, and disability claims.

Migrant Worker program provides civil legal services to migrant farm workers.

Housing counseling assists people who are homeless by making referrals and assessing their legal needs. Assists renters who are having problems getting things fixed, need help with landlord issues, or are facing eviction; work with HUD issues; assist home buyers or home owners with questions, etc.

Assists in the following areas, in addition to the programs already noted: Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Landlord-Tenant, Utility Shutoffs, Public Benefits, Unemployment, Family Law (including Divorce, Custody/Visitation, Child Support, Domestic Abuse).

Property assessments for tax valuation purposes; lookup and mapping tool available online.

Homestead exemptions provide relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the valuation of a home from taxation; the percentage of relief is based on the applicant's income level and home valuation; applications accepted by June 30 each year, some late applications may be accepted under certain conditions (medically incapacitated, in a residential care facility, etc.).

Exemptions eligibility requirements:

Seniors:

- Be 65 years of age or older before January 1st of the application year.

Disabled Individuals:

- Have a permanent physical disability and cannot walk without the regular use of a mechanical aide or prosthesis.

- Have undergone amputation of both arms above the elbows.

- Have a permanent partial disability of both arms in excess of 75%.

Disabled Veterans or Widow(er) of a Qualified Veteran:

- A wartime veteran drawing compensation from the VA due to a 100% service connected disability.

- An un-remarried widow/widower of an above qualified veteran.

- A wartime veteran totally disabled due to a non-service connected illness or accident.

- A veteran whose home is substantially contributed to by the VA.

Other Qualifications:

- The valuation of the home cannot exceed 200% (225% for veterans and persons with qualifying disabilities) of the County's average assessed value for single family residences. (In 2017 the average assessed value was $159,840.)

- The maximum exemption available is 100% of the County's average assessed value for single family residences (120% for disabled veterans and persons with qualifying disabilities).

- The home must be owned and occupied between January 1 and August 15 of the tax year being exempted.

- The applicants must meet the income guidelines.

EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) is a tax credit for working individuals and families. Must file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. Earned income includes: wages, tips and income from self-employment. Individuals who are on SSI or SSDI do not qualify for EITC unless they also worked during the past year. Call IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with any other questions.

ELIGIBILITY depends on such factors as filing status, income level, and the number of qualifying children (if any). Basic qualifications, Tax Year 2025 (filing in 2026):

If earned less than $61,555 ($68,675 if married) with 3 or more qualifying children, could receive up to $8,046.

If earned less than $57,310 ($64,430 if married) with two qualifying children, could receive up to $7,152.

If earned less than $50,434 ($57,554 if married) with one qualifying child, could receive up to $4,328.

If earned less than $19,104 ($26,214 if married) with no qualifying children, could receive up to $649.

The credit amount depends on income, marital status, and family size. For the 2025 tax year (filing in 2026), the credit is worth up to $8,046. The credit amount rises with earned income until it reaches a maximum amount, then gradually phases out. Families with more children are eligible for higher credit amounts.

Offers an exemption that "freezes" the senior citizen's property's equalized assessed value the year that the senior citizen qualifies for the exemption. The property's equalized assessed value does not increase as long as qualification for the exemption continues. The tax bill may still increase if any tax rates are increased or if improvements are added that increase the value of the property.

Serves as the administrative arm of the Winnebago County Government. The duties and responsibilities of the County Clerk's office are elections, voter registration, vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, tax information, and notary services.

Information about tax accounts. Processes applications for Federal Tax Identification Numbers.

Taxpayer Advocacy Services provide free, independent, and confidential tax assistance to taxpayers unable to resolve their tax problems through normal channels or individuals experiencing a hardship. Helps individual and business taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS.

The agency is responsible for tax collection for state and local governments, regulating the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages, and overseeing local property tax assessments. It also serves as the funding agent for the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Additionally, the agency provides access to tax forms, including federal and state tax forms, property tax relief applications, rent rebate and renter's tax credit applications, property value reassessment applications, utility tax exemption applications, and other related documents, which are available in physical locations or online for download.

The agency is responsible for tax collection for state and local governments, regulating the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages, and overseeing local property tax assessments. It also serves as the funding agent for the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Additionally, the agency provides access to tax forms, including federal and state tax forms, property tax relief applications, rent rebate and renter's tax credit applications, property value reassessment applications, utility tax exemption applications, and other related documents, which are available in physical locations or online for download.

Tax collection agency.

Taxpayer assistance.

Maintains official real estate documents, contracts, articles of incorporation, partnerships, state tax liens, military records, birth, divorce and death records/certificates, and election information. Offers marriage licenses and accepts passport applications with photo services, registers assumed names and notaries. Military Records for tax exemptions and benefits also available.

Provides collection of property taxes, conducts annual tax sale for delinquent taxes, processes vehicle transactions, and issues motor vehicle titles and registrations.

Provides free legal advice, brief service and representation to low-income people on areas such as: consumer law, family law, housing law, public benefits, disability benefits, employment/unemployment, public benefits, clearing a criminal history and educational rights.

After contacting one of the hotlines, cases may be referred to Legal Aid local offices for extended representation.

Private Attorney Involvement Program links clients to attorneys in their local area for free legal services in family law matters.

Taxpayer clinics educate low-income taxpayers about their tax rights and responsibilities and how to file for low-income tax credit.

Homeless Assistance Project (Douglas and Lancaster Counties) provides assistance with family law, child support modification, bankruptcy, license revocation, and disability claims.

Migrant Worker program provides civil legal services to migrant farm workers.

Housing counseling assists people who are homeless by making referrals and assessing their legal needs. Assists renters who are having problems getting things fixed, need help with landlord issues, or are facing eviction; work with HUD issues; assist home buyers or home owners with questions, etc.

Assists in the following areas, in addition to the programs already noted: Bankruptcy, Foreclosure, Landlord-Tenant, Utility Shutoffs, Public Benefits, Unemployment, Family Law (including Divorce, Custody/Visitation, Child Support, Domestic Abuse).

Information about tax accounts. Processes applications for Federal Tax Identification Numbers.

Taxpayer Advocacy Services provide free, independent, and confidential tax assistance to taxpayers unable to resolve their tax problems through normal channels or individuals experiencing a hardship. Helps individual and business taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS.

Taxpayer services include: Accepting Cash payments, Account Inquiries (help with letters, notices and levies on your wages or bank account), Adjustments (changes to tax account information or payments) , Alien Clearances (Sailing Permits), Application for Taxpayer Assistance Order (ATAO), Copies of Tax Returns & Transcripts (Usually available for current year and three prior years) , Help with preparing Form 2290 (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax), Multilingual Assistance (over 150 languages translated), Federal Tax Return Preparation, Payments/Payment Arrangements, Procedural Inquiries, Solutions to Tax Issues, Tax Forms (based on availability), Tax Law Assistance (answers related to your individual Federal Tax Return), Taxpayer Identification Numbers. TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM offers assistance with tax questions, forms, etc. Mon-Fri 8 am-4:30 pm at local office, call to make an appointment. FREE FILE online available through the IRS - must make $84,000 or less to qualify for free filing online. VITA and TCE: is a program to assist low income, elders, and persons with disabilities with tax information and form preparation. Visit the website or call 211 to find local free tax preparation assistance.

Provides property assessment, property value information, Homestead, Veteran and Family Farm Credit sign up.