Chicago transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in Chicago, IL, transfer taxes come to $4,800 (1.2% of the price): Illinois real estate transfer tax ($0.50 per $500), Cook County real estate transfer tax ($0.25 per $500), Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (City portion) ($3.75 per $500) and Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (CTA portion) ($1.50 per $500), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
Combined city rate $5.25 per $500 (1.05%): $3.75 buyer + $1.50 seller. Cook County ($0.25/$500) and state ($0.50/$500) are extra.
Chicago transfer tax calculator
- State
- County
- City
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois real estate transfer taxState | $0.50 per $500 | Seller | $400.00 |
| Cook County real estate transfer taxCounty | $0.25 per $500 | Seller | $200.00 |
| Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (City portion)City | $3.75 per $500 | Buyer | $3,000.00 |
| Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (CTA portion)City | $1.50 per $500 | Seller | $1,200.00 |
| Total transfer tax (1.2% of the price) | $4,800.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in Chicago by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $3,000 | 1.2% | $1,125 | $1,875 |
| $400,000 | $4,800 | 1.2% | $1,800 | $3,000 |
| $600,000 | $7,200 | 1.2% | $2,700 | $4,500 |
| $800,000 | $9,600 | 1.2% | $3,600 | $6,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $12,000 | 1.2% | $4,500 | $7,500 |
| $1,500,000 | $18,000 | 1.2% | $6,750 | $11,250 |
| $2,500,000 | $30,000 | 1.2% | $11,250 | $18,750 |
| $5,000,000 | $60,000 | 1.2% | $22,500 | $37,500 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in Chicago?
Transfer tax is usually the second-biggest closing cost after the agent's commission. Comparing agents' fees often saves more than any exemption.
Exemptions in Illinois
- 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)
Local exemptions can differ; see Illinois transfer tax.
Elsewhere in Cook County
- Alsip0.5%
- Bartlett0.45%
- Bellwood0.65%
- Berwyn1.15%
- Burbank0.65%
- Burnham0.65%
- Calumet City0.95%
- Calumet Park0.65%
- Chicago Heights0.55%
- Cicero1.15%
- Country Club Hills0.65%
- Des Plaines0.35%
- Dolton0.65%
- Elk Grove Village0.45%
- Elmwood Park0.65%
- Evanston0.65%
- Evergreen Park0.65%
- Glenwood0.65%
- Hanover Park0.45%
- Harvey0.65%
- Harwood Heights1.15%
- Hillside0.9%
- Hoffman Estates0.45%
- Maywood0.55%
- McCook0.65%
- Morton Grove0.45%
- Mount Prospect0.45%
- Niles0.45%
- Oak Lawn0.65%
- Oak Park0.95%
- Park Forest0.65%
- Park Ridge0.35%
- River Forest0.25%
- Rolling Meadows0.45%
- Schaumburg0.25%
- Skokie0.45%
- Stickney0.65%
- Stone Park0.55%
- Streamwood0.45%
- Wilmette0.45%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in Chicago?
1.2% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Illinois real estate transfer tax ($0.50 per $500); Cook County real estate transfer tax ($0.25 per $500); Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (City portion) ($3.75 per $500); Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (CTA portion) ($1.50 per $500).
Who pays transfer tax in Chicago?
Illinois real estate transfer tax: Seller — Customarily paid by the seller.. Cook County real estate transfer tax: Seller — Neither the statute nor the county ordinance fixes the payer; by Illinois custom the seller pays the state and county stamps unless the contract says otherwise.. Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (City portion): Buyer — City Dept. of Finance: in general the buyer is responsible for the $3.75 City portion.. Chicago Real Property Transfer Tax (CTA portion): Seller — City Dept. of Finance: in general the seller is responsible for the $1.50 CTA portion.. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in Chicago?
$6,000 in total (seller $2,250, buyer $3,750).
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.
Sources
- City of Chicago Dept. of Finance - Real Property Transfer Tax
- Municipal Code of Chicago ch. 3-33 Real Property Transfer Tax
- Chicago Title - Transfer Taxes, Chicago Metropolitan Area (as of July 1, 2026)
- ATG - Chicago real estate transfer tax ordinance summary
- Cook County Code Sec. 74-102 - Real Property Transfer Tax imposed ($0.25 per $500 or fraction)
- 55 ILCS 5/5-1031 - County real estate transfer tax
- Illinois Department of Revenue - Real Estate Transfer Tax
- Chicago Title - Transfer Taxes, Chicago Metropolitan Area (as of July 1, 2026)
- Illinois Department of Revenue – Form PTAX-203 and instructions
- 35 ILCS 200/31-10 (state rate)
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.