Illinois Car Sales Tax Calculator
Illinois charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 6.25% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $1,250.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Illinois allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Illinois’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.25%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Illinois car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Illinois gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Illinois counties and cities add a local sales tax on top, so your actual total may be higher. Trade-in credit rules vary — confirm eligibility with the official source below.
How Illinois taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 6.25% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Illinois title fee is $165 for a standard certificate. Annual passenger registration is $151. State vehicle use tax is 6.25%; local sales tax can raise the total. Private party tax for used vehicles uses a separate purchase-price/age table (Form RUT-50).
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Illinois state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Illinois registration and title-transfer calculators for those.
- Dealer documentation fees. A dealer “doc fee” is charged on top and is often itself taxable.
- Exemptions. Gifts, inheritance, and certain family transfers may be exempt — confirm with Illinois Secretary of State — Vehicle Services.
Official Illinois source
↗Illinois Secretary of State — Vehicle Serviceswww.ilsos.govRelated Illinois tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Illinois?
The Illinois state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 6.25%. Multiply it by the taxable purchase price (usually the price minus any trade-in credit). Counties and cities may add a local sales tax on top, so confirm your combined rate with Illinois Secretary of State — Vehicle Services.
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Illinois?
In most states, sales or use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase is collected when you title and register the car, not at the point of sale. The rate is generally the same as a dealer sale. Confirm the private-sale rules with Illinois Secretary of State — Vehicle Services.
Does Illinois give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?
Most states tax only the difference between the vehicle price and your trade-in value, which lowers the tax you owe. A handful of states tax the full price with no trade-in credit. Verify Illinois's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Illinois?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Illinois state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Illinois Secretary of State — Vehicle Services publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Illinois Secretary of State — Vehicle Services sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice