Illinois sales tax calculator
Chicago's combined sales tax rate of 10.25% is the highest in any major US city. Illinois suburbs and downstate sit at 6.25–9.75%.
Calculate Sales tax for Illinois, USA
Pick a rate, choose direction (add or remove tax), type the amount. The math updates as you type.
How Illinois sales tax works
Illinois has a 6.25% state rate (5% general, 1.25% transferred to local governments). Counties and cities add local rates on top, which in Chicago and Cook County combine to push the total to 10.25% — the highest of any major US city. Outside Cook County, combined rates are typically 6.25%–7.75%.
Sample 2026 combined rates:
- Chicago: 10.25% (6.25% state + 1.75% Cook County + 1.25% city + 1.00% RTA)
- Suburban Cook County: 8.25–9.25% depending on home rule status
- DuPage County (suburbs): 7.00% (6.25% + 0.75%)
- Lake County: 7.00%
- Will County: 7.00%
- Springfield: 9.50% (6.25% state + 3.25% local)
The math: add Illinois sales tax
- Add 10.25%: total = sticker × 1.1025
- A $1,000 laptop in Chicago: $1,000 × 1.1025 = $1,102.50. The $102.50 is sales tax — among the highest sales-tax burdens for big-ticket items in the US.
What's special about Illinois sales tax
Illinois is one of a small number of US states that taxes most groceries at a reduced rate (1% statewide on food intended for home consumption, plus any local addons) rather than fully exempting them. A $200 grocery bill in Chicago carries roughly $5 in tax. Restaurant meals are taxed at the full combined rate.
Illinois also taxes prescription drugs at the reduced 1% rate (most other states fully exempt them) and OTC drugs at the full general rate.
The Chicago "soda tax" history
Cook County briefly added a 1¢-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in 2017, which would have stacked on top of the already-high combined sales tax. The county repealed it after four months following intense public backlash. A 16-oz drink at $1.49 would have been roughly $1.49 + $0.16 tax + $0.16 added sweetener tax = $1.81 — over 20% of the displayed price in tax. The math made the political problem unavoidable.
How to use the calculator
Enter the rate that applies to your Illinois location (10.25% in Chicago, 7% in most DuPage/Lake/Will suburbs, varies elsewhere), then the pre-tax amount. The calculator returns the tax and total.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Illinois sales tax rate in 2026?
The Illinois state sales tax rate is 6.25%. Local rates add 0%–4.00% on top, with Chicago at 10.25% (highest of any major US city), suburban Cook County 8.25%–9.25%, and most other Illinois counties at 6.25%–7.75%.
Why is Chicago sales tax so high?
Chicago combines the 6.25% state rate with 1.75% Cook County, 1.25% city of Chicago, and 1.00% Regional Transportation Authority for a 10.25% total. The RTA portion funds public transit (CTA, Metra, Pace). Cook County's overall tax burden has driven persistent retail leakage to suburban Indiana and Wisconsin.
Are groceries taxed in Illinois?
At a reduced 1% state rate (one of the few states that taxes groceries at all). Food and drink for home consumption pay the 1% state plus any local grocery-tax add-ons. Restaurant meals are taxed at the full combined rate. Effective grocery tax in Chicago is about 2.25%, in most counties 1%.
Is there a Chicago beverage tax?
Not anymore. Cook County passed a 1¢-per-ounce sweetened beverage tax in August 2017 and repealed it four months later after public backlash. There is currently no Chicago-specific beverage tax beyond the standard sales tax on the product.
Do I owe Illinois sales tax on out-of-state online purchases?
Yes. Under the Wayfair decision and Illinois law, online retailers with more than $100,000 in annual Illinois sales or 200 separate Illinois transactions must collect Illinois sales tax. Where the seller doesn't collect, you owe use tax at the same rate on your annual Illinois return.