Illinois transfer tax
Illinois charges a state transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 of value (0.10%), and counties add $0.25 per $500 (0.05%), for 0.15% in total. Home-rule cities and Cook County can add their own taxes, so Chicago's rate is much higher. By custom the seller pays the state and county tax.
Cook County and many home-rule municipalities add their own transfer taxes. Chicago, for example, has a city real property transfer tax paid by the buyer plus a CTA portion paid by the seller, about 1.05% combined; Evanston, Oak Park and others have their own rates. Check the city's current ordinance.
Highest totals in Illinois on a $400,000 sale
Find your city or county
| Place | County | Total rate | Tax on $400,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addison | DuPage County | 0.4% | $1,600 |
| Alsip | Cook County | 0.5% | $2,000 |
| Aurora | Kane County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Bartlett | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Bellwood | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Berwyn | Cook County | 1.15% | $4,600 |
| Bolingbrook | Will County | 0.9% | $3,600 |
| Buffalo Grove | Lake County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Burbank | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Burnham | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Calumet City | Cook County | 0.95% | $3,800 |
| Calumet Park | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Carol Stream | DuPage County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Channahon | Will County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Chicago | Cook County | 1.2% | $4,800 |
| Chicago Heights | Cook County | 0.55% | $2,200 |
| Cicero | Cook County | 1.15% | $4,600 |
| Cook County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Country Club Hills | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| DeKalb County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Des Plaines | Cook County | 0.35% | $1,400 |
| Dolton | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| DuPage County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Elgin | Kane County | 0.15% | $600 |
| Elk Grove Village | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Elmhurst | DuPage County | 0.3% | $1,200 |
| Elmwood Park | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Evanston | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Evergreen Park | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Freeport | Stephenson County | 0.55% | $2,200 |
| Glen Ellyn | DuPage County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Glendale Heights | DuPage County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Glenwood | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Hanover Park | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Harvey | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Harwood Heights | Cook County | 1.15% | $4,600 |
| Highland Park | Lake County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Hillside | Cook County | 0.9% | $3,600 |
| Hoffman Estates | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Joliet | Will County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Kane County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Kendall County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Lake County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Lake Forest | Lake County | 0.55% | $2,200 |
| Lincolnshire | Lake County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Maywood | Cook County | 0.55% | $2,200 |
| McCook | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| McHenry County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Mettawa | Lake County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Morton Grove | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Mount Prospect | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Naperville | DuPage County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Niles | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| North Chicago | Lake County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Oak Lawn | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Oak Park | Cook County | 0.95% | $3,800 |
| Oswego | Kendall County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Park Forest | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Park Ridge | Cook County | 0.35% | $1,400 |
| Peoria | Peoria County | 0.4% | $1,600 |
| Peoria County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| River Forest | Cook County | 0.25% | $1,000 |
| Rockford | Winnebago County | 0.15% | $600 |
| Rolling Meadows | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Romeoville | Will County | 0.5% | $2,000 |
| Schaumburg | Cook County | 0.25% | $1,000 |
| Skokie | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Stephenson County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Stickney | Cook County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| Stone Park | Cook County | 0.55% | $2,200 |
| Streamwood | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Sycamore | DeKalb County | 0.65% | $2,600 |
| University Park | Will County | 0.25% | $1,000 |
| Wheaton | DuPage County | 0.4% | $1,600 |
| Will County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Wilmette | Cook County | 0.45% | $1,800 |
| Winnebago County | 0.15% | $600 | |
| Woodridge | DuPage County | 0.4% | $1,600 |
Total includes the state tax. Click a column to sort.
Illinois state transfer tax calculator
- State
- County
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois real estate transfer taxState | $0.50 per $500 | Seller | $400.00 |
| Illinois county real estate transfer taxCounty | $0.25 per $500 | Seller | $200.00 |
| Total transfer tax (0.15% of the price) | $600.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it. State taxes only — pick your place above to add local taxes.
Transfer tax in Illinois by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $375 | 0.15% | $375 | $0 |
| $400,000 | $600 | 0.15% | $600 | $0 |
| $600,000 | $900 | 0.15% | $900 | $0 |
| $800,000 | $1,200 | 0.15% | $1,200 | $0 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,500 | 0.15% | $1,500 | $0 |
| $1,500,000 | $2,250 | 0.15% | $2,250 | $0 |
| $2,500,000 | $3,750 | 0.15% | $3,750 | $0 |
| $5,000,000 | $7,500 | 0.15% | $7,500 | $0 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Illinois?
Transfer tax is usually the second-biggest closing cost after the agent's commission. Comparing agents' fees often saves more than any exemption.
Common exemptions
- Transfers to or from governments or charitable, religious or educational organizations
- Deeds securing a debt, or releasing property that secures a debt
- Deeds that confirm or correct a recorded deed without added consideration
- Actual consideration under $100
- Tax deeds and deeds of partition
- Deeds to a mortgage holder in lieu of foreclosure
- Exchanges of real estate (except any cash difference)
Questions
What is the Illinois transfer tax rate?
The state charges $0.50 per $500 and the county $0.25 per $500, which is $1.50 per $1,000 (0.15%) combined. A $300,000 sale owes $450 before any city tax.
Who pays transfer tax in Illinois?
By custom the seller pays the state and county tax. City taxes vary; Chicago's main city tax is charged to the buyer.
Is the mortgage deducted?
Only a mortgage the property stays subject to after the transfer (an assumed loan) is deducted. A buyer's new loan is not.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in Illinois?
The state part is $750; local taxes can add more — pick your city or county above.
Sources
Last checked October 13, 2026. Rates in effect for residential sales; commercial, leasehold and entity transfers can differ. Always confirm with your title company or closing attorney before closing.