Illinois Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

• A like-kind trade-in reduces the selling price subject to tax, and this has applied again since January 1, 2022.
• A manufacturer's rebate stays in the taxable selling price when the dealer is reimbursed for it.

Retailers' Occupation (sales) tax

6.25%

Local tax

0% to 2.5%In effect since Aug 1, 2026

Trade-in

Full credit: reduces the taxable priceIn effect since Jan 1, 2022

Manufacturer rebate

Taxed: tax is figured before the rebate

Figured with Illinois's rules for a buyer in Chicago, at its 2.5% local rate.

• Used car, no trade-in$1,575

  $18,000 price. Taxed on $18,000.

• New car with a trade-in$2,188

  $35,000 price, $10,000 trade-in. Taxed on $25,000. The trade-in saves $875.

• New car with a trade-in and a rebate$2,625

  $45,000 price, $15,000 trade-in, $2,000 rebate. Taxed on $30,000. The trade-in saves $1,313. The rebate does not lower the tax.

These examples treat the agreed price as the taxable price. Where a state uses a book value instead, the tax can differ.

On a $30,000 car, tax runs from $1,875 in Rockford to $2,625 in Chicago, a difference of $750 among the 13 cities we list.

Before trade-in, for a buyer living in each city. In some states the rate follows the dealer's location instead; see the rules above and our methodology. Rates from tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026.

The calculator covers a car bought from a dealer. These rules apply to other ways of buying or bringing a car to Illinois.

Buying from a private seller

A car bought from a private seller is taxed on Form RUT-50 by a fixed table, not a percentage: under $15,000 the tax depends on the car's age ($465 for a car 1 year old or less down to $100 at 11 years or more), and from $15,000 it rises by price band from $850 to $10,100. Trade-ins are not deducted, and fair market value is used when there is no stated price. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

A car received as a gift

A car given or sold to you by a spouse, parent, brother, sister or child (including adopted children) owes a flat $15 Illinois private party use tax. Step-relatives, in-laws and grandparents or grandchildren do not qualify; other gifts are taxed using the car's fair market value. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Moving to Illinois with your car

A new resident who used the car outside Illinois for at least 3 months owes no Illinois use tax but must still file Form RUT-50 and surrender the out-of-state title or registration. The exemption does not apply to use outside Illinois of less than 3 months or to military members whose home of record is Illinois. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Buying outside Illinois

When you buy a car in another state and bring it to Illinois, the Use Tax Act gives credit for tax properly due and paid to the other state. Proof such as a bill of sale or dealer's invoice is needed, and the tax must be separately stated. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Active-duty military

Illinois has no separate vehicle tax exemption for service members: military members whose home address of record is Illinois are treated as Illinois residents and cannot claim the nonresident exemption. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Deadline to pay

When you file the tax yourself, as for a private sale or a car bought out of state, Form RUT-50 is due within 30 days of acquiring the car, or within 30 days of bringing it into Illinois if acquired elsewhere. For a car bought from an Illinois dealer, the dealer files Form ST-556 within 20 days of delivery. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Paying late

Filing late costs the lesser of $250 or 2% of the tax due, and paying late adds 2% if 1 to 30 days late or 10% if more than 30 days late, plus interest from the day after the due date. A $25 penalty applies to a bounced payment. (tax.illinois.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)

Illinois is tied for 32nd lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia for tax on a $30,000 car, at its lowest local rate. See all states.

Tax on a $30,000 car before trade-in, in nearby states. You generally pay tax based on where you register the car.

• Iowa$1,500
• Wisconsin$1,500 – $2,370
• Missouri$1,568 – $3,446
• Kentucky$1,800
• Illinois$1,875 – $2,625
• Indiana$2,100

• All car calculators
• Sales tax calculators by state
• Car sales tax by state
• Trade-in tax credit by state
• Car cost by state
• Illinois out-the-door price
• Auto loan calculator

• Indiana car sales tax
• Iowa car sales tax
• Kentucky car sales tax
• Missouri car sales tax
• Wisconsin car sales tax