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How much is sales tax on a car in Illinois?
Illinois car sales tax guide
Short answer: Illinois charges 6.25% state tax on vehicle purchases, about $1,875 on a $30,000 car (about $2,688 with typical local tax). Source: state revenue/DMV rules, checked October 28, 2026; local taxes and fees may add.
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Start my dealVehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate; local taxes may add. Doc fee taxability rule (Illinois DOR ST-58 / 86 Ill. Adm. Code 130.410): dealer documentary service fees are included in gross receipts subject to Retailer's Occupation Tax. Rebates and add-ons aren't modeled.
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Illinois car sales tax, at a glance: 6.25% state tax on vehicle purchases. Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate; local taxes may add. Trade-in credit: allowed. A $30,000 car owes about $1,875 in state tax, or $1,250 with a $10,000 trade-in.
Statutory Status: Reviewed. Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of October 28, 2026. Vehicle rules: Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026.
Leasing or getting a rebate in Illinois?
Leases and rebates change the tax line on your quote. Here is how Illinois handles each, in plain English, with the official source for each. Compare it to the tax on your dealer's worksheet.
Leasing in Illinois
Tax up front on the total of payments · 6.25% + local
Since Jan. 1, 2015, Illinois taxes a lease over one year on the amount due at signing plus all monthly payments, with no deduction for trade-ins. Dealers usually collect it at signing or roll it into the lease. Add your local rate (Chicago totals 10.25%).
Source: Illinois Department of Revenue ST-9-LSE and RUT-25-LSE instructions (checked Oct. 20, 2026)
Manufacturer rebates in Illinois
Taxed on the price before the rebate
Include a manufacturer's rebate in the taxable selling price.
Estimate: a $1,000 rebate adds about $62.50 in state tax (state rate only; local tax can add more).
Source: Illinois DOR Form ST-556 instructions (checked Oct. 21, 2026)
Best pick for your situation
If you have a car to sell: trade it in at the dealer when the private-sale price is less than $625 higher. Illinois gives a trade-in credit, so a $10,000 trade cuts state tax on a $30,000 car from $1,875 to $1,250. If a private buyer would pay more than $10,000 + $625, selling privately comes out ahead.
The math:
- $30,000 car, no trade-in: $1,875 state tax at 6.25%
- $30,000 car, $10,000 trade-in: $1,250 state tax (trade-in rule: allowed)
- Local county/city tax adds to both; enter yours above.
Sources: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (October 28, 2026); vehicle rules best-effort from state DMV/revenue (Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026).
A situational guide based on published state tax and fee rules, not legal or financial advice. VaultRubric accepts zero dealer, lender, or affiliate compensation.
Your roadmap
- Enter the price, trade-in and your county above to see your exact tax.
- Get a written trade-in offer and a private-sale estimate, then compare using the math above.
- Ask for the out-the-door price in writing with tax, doc fee and title listed separately.
- Verify the rate with the Illinois DMV or revenue department before signing; dealer quotes can be wrong.
- Plug the total into the to see the monthly payment.
Illinois car sales tax by price
| Vehicle price | State tax, no trade | With $10,000 trade-in |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $938 | $312 |
| $20,000 | $1,250 | $625 |
| $25,000 | $1,562 | $938 |
| $30,000 | $1,875 | $1,250 |
| $40,000 | $2,500 | $1,875 |
| $50,000 | $3,125 | $2,500 |
| $60,000 | $3,750 | $3,125 |
State-level tax only; add your county or city rate in the guide above.
Sources & as-of dates
- Base sales tax: Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates) (as of October 28, 2026).
- Vehicle-specific rates and trade-in rules: best-effort compilation from state DMV/revenue rules (Best-effort, checked October 28, 2026); e.g. Virginia DMV, Michigan Treasury Form 485, California CDTFA Regulation 1610.
- Local vehicle tax (estimate): Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (average local sales tax rate, as of January 1, 2026) (retrieved October 28, 2026). Illinois local taxes on dealer sales depend on the dealer's location (and Chicago/Cook add their own); private-party sales use a separate flat Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (RUT-50) by price/age. Why still an estimate: the rate follows the seller's location, not yours, so a home-county picker would be wrong. This is a population-weighted average of local rates for general sales, not your exact rate. Enter your own local rate if you know it. Data file: il.json.
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FAQ
How much is car sales tax in Illinois?
6.25% at the state level. Vehicle purchases taxed at the state general sales tax rate; local taxes may add. Local taxes may add. On a $30,000 car with no trade-in that's about $1,875 in state tax.
Does Illinois charge sales tax on a trade-in?
Yes. Illinois generally taxes the price minus your trade-in value, so a $10,000 trade-in on a $30,000 car cuts the state tax from $1,875 to $1,250. (Verified from state statute / DMV rules.)
Is Illinois's general sales tax the same as its car tax?
Illinois's statewide general sales tax is 6.25% (Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (State & Local Sales Tax Rates), as of October 28, 2026); the rate applied to vehicles is 6.25%.
Does Illinois add county or city tax on a car?
Usually, but we don't have an exact county/city table yet. Illinois local taxes on dealer sales depend on the dealer's location (and Chicago/Cook add their own); private-party sales use a separate flat Private Party Vehicle Use Tax (RUT-50) by price/age. Why still an estimate: the rate follows the seller's location, not yours, so a home-county picker would be wrong. We pre-fill the 2.71% statewide average local rate as an estimate (Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2026, Table 18 (average local sales tax rate, as of January 1, 2026)); enter your own rate for accuracy.
Does this include the doc fee, title and registration?
No. Those vary by dealer, county, vehicle weight and value.
Is this tax advice?
No. Estimates from best-effort state rules, not tax or financial advice; confirm with your state agency or dealer.
How are car leases taxed in Illinois?
Tax up front on the total of payments (6.25% + local). Since Jan. 1, 2015, Illinois taxes a lease over one year on the amount due at signing plus all monthly payments, with no deduction for trade-ins. Dealers usually collect it at signing or roll it into the lease. Add your local rate (Chicago totals 10.25%). Source: Illinois Department of Revenue ST-9-LSE and RUT-25-LSE instructions.
Is a car rebate taxed in Illinois?
Yes, tax is figured on the price before a manufacturer rebate. Include a manufacturer's rebate in the taxable selling price. Source: Illinois DOR Form ST-556 instructions.
Educational auto deal, sales tax, doc-fee, and loan/lease math only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Dealerships are independent sellers; verify all out-the-door figures on your written buyer's order before signing.