This page has a free Illinois sales tax calculator that works for every city in Illinois. You type in your purchase amount, pick your city, and choose what you are buying. The calculator adds up all the tax layers — state, county, city, and local — and shows you the exact total. It also covers the big 2026 change: Illinois removed the 1% state grocery tax starting January 1, 2026. The page explains every tax rate, how to use the tool step by step, a full FAQ section, and links to official government sources so you can verify every number yourself.

What Is Illinois Sales Tax?

When you buy something in Illinois — a pair of shoes, a meal at a restaurant, or a bottle of medicine — the store adds a little extra to your bill. That extra amount is called sales tax. It is money the government collects to pay for things like roads, schools, firefighters, and public services.

Here is a simple way to think about it: you buy a video game for $50. If the sales tax is 10%, you pay $50 plus $5 tax — so $55 total. That $5 goes to the government, not the store.

In Illinois, sales tax is not just one number. It is actually several taxes stacked on top of each other — from the state government, the county, and the city where you are shopping. That is why the tax rate in Chicago is different from the rate in Naperville or Rockford.

This calculator adds all those layers together and gives you one final number.

Illinois Sales Tax Rates — 2026 Quick Reference

Here are the combined sales tax rates for the most popular Illinois cities as of 2026:

The Illinois base state rate is 6.25%. Everything above that is local tax added by your county and city.

The Big 2026 Change — Illinois Grocery Tax

This is important if you buy groceries.

Starting January 1, 2026, Illinois removed its 1% state tax on groceries. This was part of Public Act 103-0781, signed into law to help families save money on food.

But here is the catch: most cities and towns in Illinois quickly added their own 1% local grocery tax to replace the state one. So in most places, you still pay about the same amount of tax on groceries — it just goes to your local government instead of the state.

In Chicago, for example:

• Before 2026: 1% state grocery tax + city portion
• After January 1, 2026: 0% state grocery tax + 1% Chicago local grocery tax

The total rate changed slightly, but groceries still cost much less tax than regular merchandise. This calculator already uses the updated 2026 rates.

Tax Rates by What You Are Buying

Not everything you buy gets the same tax rate. Illinois has different rules depending on the type of item:

General Merchandise — Full Combined Rate

Things like electronics, clothing, toys, furniture, and household goods. You pay the full combined rate for your city. In Chicago that is 10.25%. In Naperville it is 7.75%.

Restaurant and Prepared Food — Full Combined Rate

Any food that is ready to eat right now — a burger, a pizza, a coffee, a meal from a restaurant or food truck. This gets the full combined rate, same as general merchandise.

Groceries — Local Rate Only (State Rate Now 0%)

Unprepared food you take home to cook — meat, vegetables, canned goods, bread, pasta. Since January 1, 2026, Illinois charges 0% state tax on these. Most cities charge a small local grocery tax (usually 1%) instead. This makes groceries much cheaper to buy than electronics or restaurant meals.

Prescription Medicine — 1% State Rate Only

Prescription drugs and most medicines are taxed at just 1% in Illinois — only the state rate. Cook County and Chicago do not add extra tax on medicine. This is one of the lowest tax rates on anything in Illinois.

Vehicles and Cars — 6.25% State Rate Only

When you buy a car, truck, or motorcycle, you pay a use tax of 6.25% to the state — but your city and county usually do not add their local rates on top. The tax is collected when you register the vehicle, not at the car dealership.

How the Tax Layers Stack Up — Chicago Example

Chicago has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country because it stacks four separate taxes:

The RTA surcharge is what makes Chicago’s tax so high. RTA stands for Regional Transportation Authority — the organization that runs the CTA buses and trains, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban buses. Every taxable purchase in the six-county Chicago area helps fund public transportation.

How to Use This Calculator — Step by Step

Using this Illinois sales tax calculator takes less than 30 seconds. Here is exactly what to do:

Step 1 — Enter your purchase amount Type the dollar amount of your purchase in the “Purchase Amount” box. For example, type 49.99 for a $49.99 item.

Step 2 — Choose whether tax is included or not Pick “No — add tax to amount” if you want to find out what you will pay at the register. Pick “Yes — back-calculate tax” if you already paid and want to find out how much of what you paid was tax.

Step 3 — Select your Illinois city Click the dropdown and pick the city where you are shopping. The calculator already knows the correct combined rate for each city. If your city is not listed, choose “Custom” at the bottom and enter your own rates.

Step 4 — Choose your item category Pick what kind of thing you are buying — General Goods, Restaurant, Grocery Food, Prescription Medicine, or Auto/Vehicle. The calculator will automatically use the right tax rate for that category.

Step 5 — Read your results The calculator instantly shows you:

• Your pre-tax amount
• The total tax in dollars
• A breakdown of each tax layer (state, county, city, other)
• Your total price including tax

That is all there is to it. No math needed.

Custom Rate — For Other Illinois Cities

Illinois has over 1,200 cities, towns, and villages. If your city is not in the dropdown, use the Custom option. You can enter:

• Illinois state rate (always 6.25% for general merchandise)
• Your county rate
• Your city/municipal rate
• Any other local rate (special districts, business improvement zones, etc.)

To find your exact local rate, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue Tax Rate Finder at tax.illinois.gov/research/taxinformation/sales/rot.html and type in your zip code or city name.

Where These Tax Rates Come From — Official Proof

Every rate in this calculator comes from official government sources. Here is the legal basis for each number:

The Illinois state rate of 6.25% is set by law under 35 ILCS 120 — the Illinois Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act. This law has been in place since 1933. The current 6.25% rate is enforced by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The 2026 grocery tax change (0% state rate) comes from Public Act 103-0781, which amended 35 ILCS 120 to eliminate the 1% state grocery tax starting January 1, 2026.

The RTA surcharge of 1.0% is authorized under the Regional Transportation Authority Act (70 ILCS 3615), which allows the RTA to levy a sales tax in the six-county Chicago metro area.

Cook County’s 1.75% rate is set by the Cook County Board of Commissioners under Home Rule authority granted by the Illinois Constitution (Article VII, Section 6).

Chicago’s 1.25% city rate is set by the Chicago City Council under the same Home Rule authority.

Real-World Examples — What You Actually Pay

Buying a $200 Laptop in Chicago

• Pre-tax price: $200.00
• Chicago rate (general merchandise): 10.25%
• Tax amount: $20.50
• Total you pay: $220.50

Buying $100 of Groceries in Chicago

• Pre-tax price: $100.00
• Chicago grocery rate (2026): ~1% local only
• Tax amount: $1.00
• Total you pay: $101.00

Filling a Prescription Worth $80 in Chicago

• Pre-tax price: $80.00
• Prescription rate: 1% (state only)
• Tax amount: $0.80
• Total you pay: $80.80

Eating a $35 Dinner at a Chicago Restaurant

• Pre-tax price: $35.00
• Chicago restaurant rate: 10.25%
• Tax amount: $3.59
• Total you pay: $38.59

Buying a $25,000 Car in Illinois

• Pre-tax price: $25,000.00
• Vehicle use tax rate: 6.25% (state only)
• Tax amount: $1,562.50
• Total use tax due: $1,562.50 (paid at registration, not at dealership)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Illinois sales tax rate in 2026?

The Illinois state sales tax rate is 6.25% for general merchandise. On top of that, cities and counties add their own local taxes. In Chicago the total combined rate is 10.25%. In Naperville it is 7.75%. Your total rate depends on exactly where you are shopping.

Why is Chicago’s sales tax so high?

Chicago’s 10.25% rate comes from four separate taxes added together: 6.25% from Illinois, 1.75% from Cook County, 1.25% from the City of Chicago, and 1.00% from the RTA. The RTA tax funds the CTA, Metra, and Pace bus services. Chicago uses its Home Rule authority under the Illinois Constitution to set its local rates independently.

Did Illinois change the grocery tax in 2026?

Yes. Illinois removed the 1% state sales tax on groceries starting January 1, 2026 under Public Act 103-0781. The Illinois state rate on qualifying grocery food dropped from 1% to 0%. However, many local governments added their own 1% local grocery tax to replace it, so the savings vary by location.

What counts as grocery food for the lower tax rate?

Grocery food is unprepared food you take home to cook — things like raw meat, fresh vegetables, canned goods, bread, pasta, eggs, and milk. It does not include candy, soda, energy drinks, or alcohol — those are taxed at the full merchandise rate. Ready-to-eat food from a restaurant or deli counter is also taxed at the full rate.

Are prescription drugs taxed in Illinois?

Yes, but at a very low rate. Prescription drugs are taxed at just 1% — only the Illinois state rate. Cook County and the City of Chicago do not add any extra local tax on prescription medicine. Over-the-counter medicines are also typically taxed at this reduced rate.

How is a car purchase taxed in Illinois?

Vehicles are taxed at 6.25% — the Illinois state use tax rate. This tax is paid when you register the vehicle with the Secretary of State, not at the car dealership. Your city and county generally do not add local sales tax on top of the vehicle purchase. If you trade in a car, the trade-in value reduces the amount you pay tax on.

What is the RTA tax and why do I pay it?

RTA stands for Regional Transportation Authority. It is a 1% surcharge added to most purchases in the six-county Chicago metro area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties). The money funds the CTA trains and buses, Metra commuter trains, and Pace suburban buses. It was authorized by the Regional Transportation Authority Act (70 ILCS 3615).

How do I find the exact sales tax rate for my Illinois city?

Use the Illinois Department of Revenue’s official Tax Rate Finder at tax.illinois.gov. Enter your city name or zip code and it will show you the exact current combined rate. Rates can change when local governments vote to add or remove local taxes, so always check the official source.

Does Illinois charge sales tax on services?

Generally, no. Illinois sales tax applies to the sale of physical goods. Most services — like haircuts, legal fees, and accounting — are not subject to Illinois sales tax. There are some exceptions, like certain utility services, but for most everyday services you do not pay sales tax.

What is the difference between sales tax and use tax in Illinois?

Sales tax is collected by the store when you buy something in Illinois. Use tax is what you owe when you buy something from an out-of-state seller and no Illinois sales tax was charged. Both taxes are the same rate. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, most large online stores now collect Illinois sales tax automatically.

Can I get a refund on Illinois sales tax?

In most cases, no. Once you pay sales tax at a store, you cannot get it back. However, if a business overcharged you tax on an item that should have been tax-exempt, you can ask the store for a correction. Businesses can claim refunds if they paid tax on resale items in error.

Are there any legal Illinois sales tax exemptions?

Yes. Sales tax does not apply to qualifying groceries, prescription drugs, items purchased for resale, farm equipment, and purchases made by certain nonprofit organizations and government agencies. If you qualify for an exemption, you need to provide the seller with an exemption certificate (Form CRT-61) from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Official Tax Rate References & Source Links

Every number in this calculator is backed by official government law and data:

• Illinois Department of Revenue — Sales & Use Tax Overview: tax.illinois.gov/research/taxinformation/sales/salesanduse.html IDOR’s main page for Illinois sales and use tax — what is taxable, current rates, and filing rules.
• Illinois Department of Revenue — Tax Rate Finder (Lookup Any City): tax.illinois.gov/research/taxinformation/sales/rot.html Enter any Illinois zip code or city and see the exact current combined sales tax rate.
• Illinois General Assembly — 35 ILCS 120 (Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act): ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=459 The actual law that authorizes Illinois to charge a 6.25% sales tax on general merchandise. Legal foundation in effect since 1933.
• Illinois General Assembly — Public Act 103-0781 (2026 Grocery Tax Elimination): ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=103-0781 The law that removed the 1% state grocery tax starting January 1, 2026. Official government proof of the rate change.
• Illinois General Assembly — 70 ILCS 3615 (RTA Act): ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=869 The law that authorizes the 1% Regional Transportation Authority surcharge in the six-county Chicago metro area.
• Illinois Department of Revenue — MyTax Illinois: mytax.illinois.gov Official state portal where businesses register, file, and pay Illinois sales tax. Also used for verifying business tax accounts.
• City of Chicago — Department of Finance: chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin.html Official Chicago government page with information on the city’s 1.25% home rule sales tax and local tax rules.
• Cook County Department of Revenue: cookcountyil.gov/agency/department-revenue Official source for Cook County’s 1.75% sales tax and other county-level tax information.

Related Calculators

• Chicago Sales Tax Calculator — Dedicated tool for Chicago shoppers with full breakdown of all four Chicago tax layers by item category.
• Illinois State Income Tax Calculator — Calculate how much Illinois state income tax you owe using the flat 4.95% rate and 2026 personal exemption.
• Illinois Paycheck Calculator — See your exact take-home pay after Illinois state tax, federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
• Illinois Alimony Calculator — Estimate spousal maintenance payments using the official Illinois statutory formula under 750 ILCS 5/504.
• Illinois Retirement Savings Calculator — Project how much you will have saved by retirement based on current savings, contributions, and investment growth.

All rates verified for 2026 using official Illinois Department of Revenue data and Illinois Compiled Statutes. The grocery tax change reflects Public Act 103-0781, effective January 1, 2026. Local rates shown are minimum combined rates — special business district surcharges may apply in some areas. Always verify your exact rate at tax.illinois.gov. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice.