River Forest transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in River Forest, IL, transfer taxes come to $1,000 (0.25% of the price): Illinois real estate transfer tax ($0.50 per $500), Cook County real estate transfer tax ($0.25 per $500) and River Forest real estate transfer tax ($1 per $1,000), paid by the seller.
River Forest transfer tax calculator
- State
- County
- Municipal
| 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 |
| River Forest real estate transfer taxMunicipal | $1 per $1,000 | Seller | $400.00 |
| Total transfer tax (0.25% of the price) | $1,000.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in River Forest by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $625 | 0.25% | $625 | $0 |
| $400,000 | $1,000 | 0.25% | $1,000 | $0 |
| $600,000 | $1,500 | 0.25% | $1,500 | $0 |
| $800,000 | $2,000 | 0.25% | $2,000 | $0 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,500 | 0.25% | $2,500 | $0 |
| $1,500,000 | $3,750 | 0.25% | $3,750 | $0 |
| $2,500,000 | $6,250 | 0.25% | $6,250 | $0 |
| $5,000,000 | $12,500 | 0.25% | $12,500 | $0 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in River Forest?
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%
- Chicago1.2%
- 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%
- Rolling Meadows0.45%
- Schaumburg0.25%
- Skokie0.45%
- Stickney0.65%
- Stone Park0.55%
- Streamwood0.45%
- Wilmette0.45%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in River Forest?
0.25% 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); River Forest real estate transfer tax ($1 per $1,000).
Who pays transfer tax in River Forest?
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.. River Forest real estate transfer tax: Seller. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in River Forest?
$1,250 in total (seller $1,250, buyer $0).
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
- Village of River Forest - Taxes
- Chicago Title - Transfer Taxes, Chicago Metropolitan Area (as of July 1, 2026)
- 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.