What is the real estate transfer tax rate in Illinois?

Illinois charges a state transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 of sale price (0.10%) plus a county tax of $0.25 per $500 (0.05%), for a combined $0.75 per $500, or 0.15%, before any municipal transfer tax.

Who pays the transfer tax in Illinois?

The seller typically pays the state and county transfer tax in Illinois, while municipal transfer taxes are often the buyer's responsibility. The split is negotiable in the contract, so check your purchase agreement.

Does Chicago have its own transfer tax?

Yes. Chicago levies a municipal transfer tax that is much higher than the state and county rates and is split between buyer and seller portions. Add Chicago's per-$500 rate in the municipal field to include it.

How is the transfer tax rounded in Illinois?

Illinois transfer tax is computed per each $500 (or fraction thereof) of consideration. The price is rounded up to the next full $500 increment before applying the per-$500 rates, which can add a small amount.

Are any Illinois property transfers exempt from transfer tax?

Yes. Transfers such as gifts with no consideration, certain transfers between spouses, and deeds correcting a prior deed can be exempt. Low-value or specific government transfers may also qualify, so check the exemptions on the declaration.

Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax Calculator

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Selling or buying a home in Illinois involves a transfer tax paid via the real estate transfer declaration. The state and county rates are modest, but municipalities like Chicago add their own much larger tax. This calculator combines all three so you know the full cost of recording the deed.

How it works

Illinois transfer tax is charged per $500 of consideration, rounded up to the next full $500. The state and county rates are fixed statewide; the municipal rate varies:

units      = ceil(sale price ÷ 500)
state tax  = units × $0.50
county tax = units × $0.25
municipal  = units × (your local per-$500 rate)
total      = state + county + municipal

Statewide that is $0.75 per $500 (0.15%) before any municipal tax. Most Illinois towns have no municipal transfer tax, but home-rule cities do, and Chicago’s is substantial, so enter its per-$500 rate when it applies.

Example

A $300,000 sale is 600 units of $500. The state tax is $300, the county tax is $150, for $450 combined where there is no municipal tax. In a city that adds $3.00 per $500, the municipal portion alone would be $1,800.

Notes

This estimate assumes a standard sale with full consideration. Exempt transfers (gifts, certain spousal transfers, corrective deeds) may owe nothing. Buyer/seller responsibility for each portion is set by the contract and local ordinance.