Illinois sales tax at a glance
Illinois's typical combined rate of 8.98% ranks 8th highest among the 50 states. Illinois eliminated its 1% state grocery tax on January 1, 2026, but many localities imposed their own local grocery taxes in its place. Chicago's combined rate is 10.25%.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 8.98%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.25 | $27.25 |
| $100 | $8.98 | $108.98 |
| $500 | $44.90 | $544.90 |
| $2,000 | $179.60 | $2,179.60 |
Illinois vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Illinois's 8.98% is 2.32 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $696 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a 4.95% flat income tax, that shapes how Illinois funds itself — see the Illinois paycheck calculator for the payroll side.
Border shopping is real: here's what the same purchases cost across state lines, at each state's average combined rate.
| State | Combined rate | Tax on $250 | Tax on $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 8.98% | $22.45 | $2,694 |
| Wisconsin | 5.72% | $14.30 | $1,716 |
| Kentucky | 6% | $15.00 | $1,800 |
| Iowa | 6.94% | $17.35 | $2,082 |
| Indiana | 7% | $17.50 | $2,100 |
| Missouri | 8.44% | $21.10 | $2,532 |
Vehicle purchases are usually taxed by the state where the car is registered, not where it's bought — so the car column shows the rate you'd owe as a resident, not a border-shopping opportunity.
Reading a Illinois receipt
A Illinois receipt typically shows tax as a single line at the combined rate, even though the money is split between the state and one or more local jurisdictions. To check a receipt: multiply the taxable subtotal by 0.0898 (the 8.98% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 11%; if lower, some items were exempt (groceries and prescriptions are exempt or reduced in most states). The reverse mode on the calculator above recovers the pre-tax price from any total.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the sales tax in Illinois in 2026?
Illinois's state sales tax is 6.25%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 2.73% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 8.98% — and up to 11% in the highest-tax localities. Illinois eliminated its 1% state grocery tax on January 1, 2026, but many localities imposed their own local grocery taxes in its place. Chicago's combined rate is 10.25%.
+How do I calculate Illinois sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 8.98%, a $108.98 total means a $100.00 price and $8.98 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Illinois sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Illinois sales tax based on your delivery address — the same state and local rate you'd pay in a store.
+How much is sales tax on a $30,000 car in Illinois?
About $2,694 at the 8.98% average combined rate ($1,875 at the 6.25% state rate alone). Vehicle tax is generally assessed by your state of registration and collected when you title the car; some states cap or exempt private-party sales.
+How does Illinois's sales tax compare nationally?
Illinois's 8.98% average combined rate ranks 8th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Illinois?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6.25% (state only) up to about 11%. Use a recent receipt or your state revenue department's lookup for your exact address.
Rates as of July 1, 2026, from state revenue departments compiled by the Tax Foundation; local averages are population-weighted. Product exemptions (groceries, clothing, medicine) vary by state. Estimates only — see our terms.