Chicago, Illinois Sales Tax Rate

Enter a price to calculate Chicago sales tax at the 10.500% combined local rate, and see the tax amount and final total for 2026.

✓ Chicago Combined Rate✓ Illinois State Tax✓ 2026 Tax Table

Welcome to the local rate overview. The Chicago, Illinois sales tax rate is 10.500% in 2026. This combined rate includes the Illinois base rate of 6.250% plus applicable local option taxes in the transaction jurisdiction (the local portion is 4.250%). Use the calculator above to easily determine tax totals.

Quick links:Illinois calculator by state by ZIP U.S. map national calculator

🛍️ Sales Tax on a $100 Purchase in Chicago

Here is a quick reference breakdown of how much sales tax is charged on a standard $100.00 purchase in Chicago based on the combined 2026 tax rate of 10.500%:

Purchase Price:$100.00

Sales Tax (10.500%):+$10.50

Total Cost:$110.50

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Need to Calculate the Pre-Tax Price Instead?

If you have the total receipt or checkout price and need to work backward to find the original item price before tax was added, use our specialized tool.

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📍 ZIP Codes Commonly Associated With Chicago, IL

The following ZIP codes are commonly associated with Chicago, Illinois. Sales tax can depend on the exact address, especially near city or county boundaries, so businesses should verify address-level rates before filing.

60601

60602

60603

60604

60605

60606

60607

60608

60609

60610

60611

60612

60613

60614

60615

60616

60618

60622

60625

60637

60640

60647

60657

Chicago Economic & Tax Profile

Chicago's 10.25% is among the highest in the US (Cook County + City + RTA/CTA). The Fortune 500 HQ economy generates massive B2B transactions.

Global city and Midwest economic engine. O'Hare is the 2nd busiest airport in the world. 40+ Fortune 500 HQs. CME and CBOE are world's largest financial exchanges. World-renowned architecture.

Key Industries

Corporate HQs, Financial Markets, Technology, Healthcare, Transportation, Manufacturing

Known For

Third-largest US city, Willis Tower, Lake Michigan, deep-dish pizza, Cubs (Wrigley Field), Bulls, architecture, L train, world-class museums (Art Institute, Field Museum)

Local Tax Authority

Cook County + City of Chicago + RTA + CTA

Tourism & Visitor Economy

Millennium Park (Cloud Gate), Navy Pier, Art Institute, Willis Tower Skydeck, Museum Campus, Wrigley Field

Special Tax Rules for Chicago

State 6.25% + Cook County 1.75% + City 1.25% + RTA 1% = 10.25%. One of the highest big-city rates. Groceries exempt.

How Chicago Compares to Illinois

Chicago's 10.25% is one of the highest rates in IL and the US. Compare to Naperville at 7.75%.

Industry-Specific Tax Guidance

Global financial hub (CME, CBOE), 40+ Fortune 500 HQs, O'Hare (2nd busiest airport).

County-Level Tax Details

Cook County layered taxes - one of the highest US rates.

Chicago Sales Tax Rate — Economic Context & Calculation

Economic Context. Global city and Midwest economic engine.

The combined sales tax rate in Chicago is 10.500%, composed of the Illinois state rate of 6.250% plus a local portion of 4.250%.

Key industries driving Chicago's economy include Corporate HQs, Financial Markets, Technology, Healthcare — each may have distinct sales tax treatment under Illinois law.

The formula to calculate sales tax for any purchase:

Formula Sales Tax Amount = Taxable Price \times Combined Tax Rate

For a $150.00 purchase in Chicago: tax is $15.75 ($150.00 × 0.10500), total is $165.75.

Local Tax Authority & Special Rules in Chicago

Sales tax in Chicago is administered locally by Cook County + City of Chicago + RTA + CTA. Chicago's 10.25% is one of the highest rates in IL and the US.

Special tax rules specific to Chicago:

State 6.25% + Cook County 1.75% + City 1.25% + RTA 1% = 10.25%. One of the highest big-city rates. Groceries exempt.

Chicago-specific: Global financial hub (CME, CBOE), 40+ Fortune 500 HQs, O'Hare (2nd busiest airport).

Taxing Authority	Cook County + City of Chicago + RTA + CTA
State Sourcing Model	Mixed Sourcing. In-state retailers apply origin rates (ROT), while remote sellers apply destination rates.
Economic Nexus Threshold	$100,000 in gross sales, or 200 transactions (verify the transaction test — states are repealing it), measured over the preceding 12 months. Illinois has been moving to a revenue-only test (transaction count phased out effective 2026) — verify current status.
Filing Frequency	Monthly, Quarterly, or Annually
Standard Due Date	Typically on or before the 20th of the month following the filing period

Cook County layered taxes - one of the highest US rates.

Sales Tax vs. Use Tax for Chicago Businesses & Consumers

While sales tax is collected by registered vendors at the point of sale, use tax is a self-assessed tax that applies when taxable goods are purchased from a vendor who did not collect sales tax. The rates for both are identical: 10.500%.

If you purchase equipment, software, or supplies from out-of-state merchants and no tax was charged, you are legally obligated to report and pay use tax to Illinois Department of Revenue. Use tax audits are common — failure to accrue on untaxed invoices is a frequent audit finding.

Sales Tax Registration & Permits for Chicago Businesses

Businesses with physical presence or economic nexus in Illinois must register with Illinois Department of Revenue before collecting tax.

For full registration, filing, exemption certificate, and audit guidance, see the Illinois sales tax guide.

Resale Certificates & Tax Record-Keeping in Chicago

Businesses in Chicago must maintain resale certificates and transaction records to comply with Illinois tax audits. If you sell wholesale, obtain a valid resale certificate from the buyer.

For detailed guidance, see the Illinois sales tax page.

Other Cities in Illinois

Need to calculate sales tax for another location in Illinois? Choose a city below to view the exact rate breakdown.

Quick Lookup:Aurora sales tax calculator (or view Aurora sales tax rate)Rockford sales tax calculator (or view Rockford sales tax rate)Naperville sales tax calculator (or view Naperville sales tax rate)

City	County	Combined Rate	Action
Aurora	Kane County	8.250%	Use Calculator →
Rockford	Winnebago County	8.750%	Use Calculator →
Naperville	DuPage County	7.750%	Use Calculator →
Springfield	Sangamon County	9.750%	Use Calculator →
Joliet	Will County	9.000%	Use Calculator →
Peoria	Peoria County	10.000%	Use Calculator →
Elgin	Kane County	9.000%	Use Calculator →
Waukegan	Lake County	8.250%	Use Calculator →
Cicero	Cook County	10.250%	Use Calculator →

For informational purposes only. Tax rates change frequently — verify with your state's Department of Revenue before filing. This tool is not a substitute for professional tax advice.

Last updated: September 11, 2026 · Rate source metadata is tracked in the TaxesLedger tax data registry.

Data methodology reviewed by M. Imtinan Farooq — Data Engineer who builds and maintains TaxesLedger.

Imtinan Farooq is a data engineer who builds and maintains TaxesLedger's calculators and rate database. He is not a CPA, tax attorney, or enrolled agent, so the site doesn't rely on his opinion. Every rate is linked to an official source, such as a state department of revenue, the Canada Revenue Agency, or a national VAT authority. Each record stores that source and its verification status, so the rate can be checked against it. If you spot an error, contact us and we'll correct it. This is an educational calculator, not tax, accounting, or legal advice. LinkedIn

Data Sources: State DORs · Canada Revenue Agency · EU VAT authorities · Tax Foundation references

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions users ask.

What is the sales tax rate in Chicago?

Chicago's combined rate is 10.25%: 6.25% state + 1.75% Cook County + 1.25% City + 1% RTA.

How much sales tax is charged on a $100 purchase in Chicago?

On a $100.00 purchase in Chicago, the sales tax is $10.50 ($10.50 = $100.00 × 0.10500), bringing the total to $110.50.

Why is Chicago's sales tax so high?

Multiple overlapping transit and local taxes including the CTA/RTA tax funding the public transit system.

Are groceries taxed in Illinois?

Groceries in Illinois are taxed at a reduced 1% state rate plus applicable local taxes. Prepared food, soft drinks, candy, and alcohol are taxed at the full combined rate.

Why does Chicago have the highest rate in Illinois?

Chicago's combined rate includes the state 6.25%, Cook County, city of Chicago, and RTA transit taxes, making it one of the highest among US major cities.

Is sales tax higher in Chicago or Naperville?

Chicago charges the higher combined rate: Naperville is at 7.750% versus Chicago's 10.500% — a 2.750 percentage-point difference on every taxable purchase across the line.

Are groceries taxed in Chicago?

Illinois eliminated its 1% state grocery tax on January 1, 2026; 600+ municipalities levy their own 1% local grocery tax instead. Prepared foods and restaurant meals are generally taxed at the full combined rate of 10.500%.

What county is Chicago located in?

Chicago is located in Cook County, which may levy a local tax portion included in the combined rate of 10.500%.

Which ZIP codes are commonly associated with Chicago?

ZIP codes commonly associated with Chicago include: 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60608, 60609, 60610, 60611, 60612, 60613, 60614, 60615, 60616, 60618, 60622, 60625, 60637, 60640, 60647, 60657. ZIP code boundaries can cross municipal lines, so verify the sales tax rate for the exact street address when filing.

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