Car sales tax in Illinois
Illinois: State sales tax on dealer and out-of-state purchases (6.25%); plus a local rate that depends on where you buy.
On a $30,000 used car from a dealer with no trade-in, the tax is $1,875.00 and all taxes and government fees come to about $2,191.00.
Trade-in: a $10,000 trade-in lowers the tax by $625.00. Private sale ($15,000): tax $850.00–$1,090.00.
Estimate of government charges. Your DMV, tax office or county calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: buying from a dealer in Illinois · Different situation?
Every line on a $30,000 dealer purchase
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| State sales tax on dealer and out-of-state purchases (6.25%) | State & local tax | $1,875.00 | Illinois Department of Revenue |
| Local sales tax | State & local tax | you fill in | Illinois Department of Revenue |
| Certificate of title | Title | $165.00 | Illinois Secretary of State |
| Passenger vehicle registration (annual, standard plates) | Registration & plates | $151.00 | Illinois Secretary of State |
How Illinois taxes a car purchase
- Trade-in: Dealer sales only: a qualified trade-in (an item the dealer is in the business of selling) is subtracted from the selling price; no cap since 2022. Private party sales (RUT-50): no trade-in deduction.
- Private sale: Not a percentage: the Private Party Vehicle Use Tax is a flat amount from Table A (price under $15,000, by vehicle age) or Table B (price $15,000+, by price band), plus Chicago and/or Cook County flat amounts. Gifts and even trades use fair market value.
- Bought in another state: Bought from an out-of-state dealer: file RUT-25 within 30 days; use tax at the county rate where you register (6.25% default, 7.5% Cook, 7.25% collar counties, 6.5% Metro East), less tax properly due and paid to the other state (separately stated, proof attached).
- Local tax: Dealer sales: enter the combined sales tax rate for the dealer's location (IDOR Tax Rate Finder); Chicago residents buying in the six-county area also pay the 1.25% Chicago Home Rule Use Tax. Out-of-state purchases: RUT-25 county use-tax rates are in data/local/IL.json.
Exemptions (check the official rule before relying on one)
- Estate gift to a surviving spouse: Tax $0.
- Estate gift to other beneficiary / business reorganization: Tax $15.
- Nonresident who used the vehicle outside Illinois 3+ months: Individuals only; tax $0 (RUT-50 1d / RUT-25 line f).
- Exempt organizations, farm machinery, rolling stock: See RUT-50/RUT-25 instructions.
Dealer fees
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Illinois caps the dealer documentary fee: base $300 from January 1, 2020, adjusted every year by the CPI. The current-year dollar cap was not found on a reachable official page, so no number is shown.
Official tools: Illinois Tax Rate Finder (dealer location rate) · IDOR Tax Rate Database · RUT-5 Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Chart (2026)
Sources
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-25 Vehicle Use Tax Transaction Return Instructions (R-07/26)
- Illinois Department of Revenue: ST-556 Sales Tax Transaction Return Instructions (R-12/24)
- Illinois Secretary of State: Vehicle fees (license plates renewal, replacement, title) (as archived 2026-10-08)
- Illinois Department of Revenue: Vehicle Tax FAQs
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-5 Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Chart for 2026
- Illinois Department of Revenue: RUT-50 Instructions for Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction (R-04/26)
- Illinois General Assembly (ILCS): 815 ILCS 375/11.1 Documentary fee (Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Sales Act)
FAQ
How much is the sales tax on a car in Illinois?
State sales tax on dealer and out-of-state purchases (6.25%); plus a local rate that depends on where you buy. On a $30,000 used car from a dealer that is $1,875.00 in tax (estimate).
Does Illinois charge tax on the price minus the trade-in?
Dealer sales only: a qualified trade-in (an item the dealer is in the business of selling) is subtracted from the selling price; no cap since 2022. Private party sales (RUT-50): no trade-in deduction.
Do you pay sales tax on a private car sale in Illinois?
Not a percentage: the Private Party Vehicle Use Tax is a flat amount from Table A (price under $15,000, by vehicle age) or Table B (price $15,000+, by price band), plus Chicago and/or Cook County flat amounts. Gifts and even trades use fair market value.
What if I buy a car in another state and register it in Illinois?
Bought from an out-of-state dealer: file RUT-25 within 30 days; use tax at the county rate where you register (6.25% default, 7.5% Cook, 7.25% collar counties, 6.5% Metro East), less tax properly due and paid to the other state (separately stated, proof attached).
Is there a cap on dealer doc fees in Illinois?
Doc, processing and prep fees are set by the dealer, not the state. Illinois caps the dealer documentary fee: base $300 from January 1, 2020, adjusted every year by the CPI. The current-year dollar cap was not found on a reachable official page, so no number is shown.