Illinois Tax Calculator
Illinois has a flat 4.95% income tax — but the second-highest property tax rate in the US at ~2.18%.
Illinois's flat 4.95% income tax is paired with the second-highest effective property tax rate in the country at approximately 2.18%, with rates climbing above 2.5% in parts of Cook County and the collar counties. The combined sales tax reaches about 8.91% in Cook County and as high as 10.25% in some downstate locations. Illinois does not allow a standard deduction — taxpayers must itemize at the federal level to receive any meaningful state benefit, and even then Illinois allows only specific additions and subtractions from federal AGI. The state's overall tax burden is among the highest in the country despite the moderate income-tax rate, with pension obligations, legacy debt from the 2017 budget impasse, and chronic structural deficits driving repeated tax debates. Illinois exempts retirement income for some categories and Social Security, but property taxes remain a major pain point, particularly for Chicago-area homeowners. Combined with neighboring Wisconsin's lower tax burden, Illinois has seen population outflows for over a decade.
Income Tax Calculator
Enter Your Income Details
See how much federal and state income tax you'll owe using 2025 brackets
How US Income Tax Works
Progressive Brackets
The US uses a progressive tax system where higher income is taxed at higher rates.
Standard Deduction
Your income up to the standard deduction amount is not taxed (${DEDUCTIONS_BY_YEAR[input.year]?.single ?? 15000} single, ${DEDUCTIONS_BY_YEAR[input.year]?.married ?? 30000} married in 2025).
Marginal vs Effective Rate
Your marginal rate is the highest bracket you reach; your effective rate is total tax divided by income.
Important Notes:
- 2025 tax brackets: This calculator uses 2025 federal tax brackets and standard deduction amounts.
- State taxes vary: Some states have no income tax (TX, FL, WA), while others range from 1% to 13.3%.
- This is an estimate: Actual tax liability depends on credits, additional deductions, and other income sources.
- Not tax advice: Consult a tax professional for personalized guidance.
How our income tax calculator works
Enter your income
Type your annual gross income from wages, self-employment, investments, or retirement. Include all sources for the most accurate estimate.
Select filing status
Choose single, married filing jointly, or head of household. We use 2025 IRS brackets and the standard deduction for your status.
Add deductions and credits
Enter pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA) and tax credits (child tax credit, education credit). The calculator adjusts your taxable income and final tax.
Key things to know about our income tax calculator:
- Federal brackets: 10% on first ~11,925 dollars, 12% on 11,926-48,475, 22% on 48,476-103,350, 24% on 103,351-197,300, up to 37% for high earners.
- State tax varies: Some states (FL, TX, WA, NV, AK, SD, TN, WY, NH) have no income tax. Others range from 0-13%. We use your states current brackets.
- Use the calculator: For take-home pay math, use the paycheck calculator. For business or self-employment tax, pair with the self-employment tax estimator.
For related calculations, try our paycheck calculator.
Illinois State Taxes at a Glance (2025)
| Item | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax structure | Flat 4.95% | 2025 tax-year |
| Standard deduction (single) | $0 | $0 = must itemize |
| Standard deduction (married) | $0 | Filing jointly |
| Combined sales tax | 8.91% | State + average local |
| Effective property tax | 2.18% | Residential |
| Key state note | Flat 4.95% — property tax 2.18% (2nd highest) | |
Numbers reflect 2025 state-level rules and may not include local income taxes (NYC, Philadelphia, etc.). Use the calculator above to model your specific scenario.
Illinois Tax Sources & References
- Illinois Department of Revenue: 2025 individual income tax brackets, standard deduction, and filing requirements.
- Tax Foundation: state-level sales tax (combined state-local average 8.91%) and property-tax benchmarks. taxfoundation.org
- Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA): interstate tax-rate comparison tables. taxadmin.org
- U.S. Census ACS: state-level household income, age, and retirement-income distribution for tax-incidence analysis. census.gov
- Taxpayer Advocate Service (IRS): federal-state conformity rules and adjustment schedules referenced for Illinois filers. irs.gov
Frequently asked questions about Illinois state taxes
Does Illinois have a state income tax?
Illinois levies a flat state income tax of 4.95% regardless of income level. The standard deduction is $0 (single filers).
What is the sales tax rate in Illinois?
The combined state and average local sales tax rate in Illinois is 8.91%. This includes the state portion plus average local additions across counties.
What is the property tax rate in Illinois?
Illinois has an effective residential property tax rate of 2.18%. Property taxes are assessed at the county level and vary based on local millage rates and assessed home values.
Does Illinois tax Social Security benefits?
Illinois follows federal treatment — Social Security benefits may be partially taxable depending on your provisional income. Federal rules still apply.
What is the standard deduction in Illinois?
The 2025 standard deduction in Illinois is $0 for single filers and $0 for married couples filing jointly. Many Illinois residents benefit more from itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state taxes, charitable gifts).
How do I calculate my Illinois state tax refund or balance due?
Estimate your Illinois tax by computing federal AGI, subtracting the Illinois standard deduction ($0 single / $0 married), and applying the flat 4.95% rate. Subtract any Illinois withholding from your paychecks (W-2 box 17). The result is your refund (if positive) or balance due (if negative). Use the calculator above for an exact estimate.
What is the Illinois sales tax on a $100 purchase?
On a $100 purchase in Illinois, the combined state and local sales tax adds approximately $8.91 at the average rate of 8.91%. High-tax jurisdictions may add up to $13.37–$15.15. Use the sales tax calculator for an exact amount on any price.
How do I file Illinois state taxes?
Illinois residents file a state return in addition to federal Form 1040. Most filers use the Illinois Department of Revenue's online portal or approved tax-prep software. The state return is due April 15 (or the federal deadline). Extensions follow federal rules. Use the calculator above to estimate your state liability before filing.
Related tax searches for Illinois
These are common Illinois-specific tax questions answered by the calculator above. Use it to model your scenario.
Editorial standards
Every CalcCentral calculator is authored by a credentialed subject-matter expert and independently reviewed before publication. Our editorial policy follows the same E-E-A-T guidelines used by Google to evaluate YMYL (your-money-or-your-life) pages.
Author
Maya Chen, CFA
Chartered Financial Analyst
Independently reviewed
Dr. Aaron Pak, PhD
Doctor of Kinesiology & Public Health
Last reviewed: August 12, 2026 · Next scheduled review: quarterly
Verified accuracy
Cross-checked against authoritative formulas (IRS, NIST, ACSM) and updated for 2025/2026 tax years and rates.
Instant results
No server roundtrip. All math runs in your browser so results appear the moment you finish typing.
Your data stays private
We never collect, store, or transmit your inputs. Every calculation runs locally in your browser.
Learn as you calculate
Each calculator includes the formula, plain-English explanation, and FAQs so you understand the result.
Estimates only. Calculator results are for educational and planning purposes — not professional advice. For binding decisions on taxes, investments, health, or legal matters, consult a qualified professional.
Tax calculators for other states
Every state has different income-tax brackets, sales tax, and property tax rates. Compare Illinois with other states:
Related Articles
Illinois Income Tax Calculator
Model your Illinois state income tax on wages, capital gains, and self-employment income.
Illinois Sales Tax Calculator
Compute Illinois state and local sales tax on any purchase amount.
Illinois Mortgage Calculator
Estimate your monthly housing payment with Illinois-specific property tax.