Illinois Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate sales tax in Illinois. Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate; local taxes bring the average combined rate to 8.98%. Based on current IL rates.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology

$
%
Groceries (food for home)
Clothing

Total Tax

$8.98

Total with Tax

$108.98

Combined Rate

8.980%

Tax Breakdown

State Tax (6.25%)$6.25
Local Tax (2.73%)$2.73
Total Sales Tax$8.98
Total with Tax$108.98

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

Illinois Sales Tax Guide

Illinois sets its base sales tax at 6.25% on general merchandise, but that figure is only the floor. Home-rule cities, counties, and special-purpose districts are allowed to stack their own taxes on top, and those local add-ons can run as high as roughly 4.75%, pushing the combined rate toward 11% in the highest-tax shopping areas. The seller collects the full amount at checkout and remits it to the Illinois Department of Revenue, which then routes the local shares back to the jurisdictions. Because the local layer varies block by block, the same item can cost a few percentage points more across a city line.

Not everything is taxed at the full rate. Qualifying groceries and both prescription and over-the-counter medicines are taxed at a reduced state rate rather than 6.25%, which softens the hit on essentials. Prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and restaurant meals fall back to the standard rate. The companion to all this is use tax: when you buy taxable goods from an out-of-state or online seller that charged no Illinois tax, you owe the equivalent yourself, typically reported on the IL-1040. A purchase that arrives untaxed is not automatically tax-free once it crosses into Illinois.

Illinois Sales Tax Details (2026)

State Sales Tax Rate 6.25%
Local Sales Taxes Yes, 2.73% on average
Average Combined Rate 8.98% (Tax Foundation, midyear 2026)
Local Tax Note Local sales taxes (home rule, county, and special-district) add up to ~4.75% on top of the 6.25% state rate, for combined rates up to ~11%.
State Income Tax 4.95% (flat)
Avg. Property Tax Rate 1.79%

Official Sources:

Illinois Sales Tax FAQ

How high can the combined sales tax actually get in Illinois?
The state rate is fixed at 6.25%, but home-rule, county, and special-district taxes can add up to about 4.75% on top, producing combined rates near 11% in some locations. That is why a register in a busy Chicago-area district can read several points above the state floor. Your receipt shows the total of state plus every local component that applies at that specific address.
Which everyday purchases get the reduced Illinois rate?
Qualifying groceries and prescription and over-the-counter medicines are taxed at a lower state rate instead of the full 6.25%. The relief is narrow in spots: prepared foods, soft drinks, candy, and restaurant meals are taxed at the standard rate. How an item is packaged or whether it is sold ready-to-eat can change which rate the Department of Revenue assigns.
When do I owe Illinois use tax?
Use tax applies when you buy taxable goods without paying Illinois sales tax, usually from a remote or online seller that didn't collect it. You owe the equivalent rate and report it, commonly on your IL-1040 return. It closes the gap so that shopping outside the state doesn't sidestep the tax an in-state purchase would have carried.
Do online stores charge Illinois sales tax automatically?
Most large retailers and marketplaces now collect Illinois tax at checkout under economic nexus rules that require sizable remote sellers to register. When a seller doesn't collect it, the purchase isn't exempt; the buyer becomes responsible for self-reporting use tax. Checking the tax line on your order confirmation tells you whether it was already applied.

Other Illinois Calculators