Illinois Sales Tax: Rates, Rules, and How to Calculate It (2026)
Illinois applies a 6.25% state sales tax, but cities and counties layer on local taxes that can add another 5 percentage points, landing you anywhere from 6.25% to 11.25%. More than 1,600 jurisdictions means address-by-address variation is extreme.
| Statewide base rate | 6.25% |
|---|---|
| Typical combined rate | 6.25%–11.25% |
| Are groceries taxed? | Taxable |
| Economic nexus threshold | ≈$100,000/yr (verify) |
| Taxing jurisdictions tracked | 1,611 |
| Get the exact rate | Look up any Illinois ZIP or address instantly |
How much is sales tax in Illinois?
The state rate is 6.25%, and with local taxes stacked on, combined rates range from 6.25% (the floor) to 11.25% (the ceiling in Markham). Averaging 8.07% across the state hides the fact that 1,611 different local taxing jurisdictions are all adding their own piece to your bill.
Illinois is a state where ZIP codes are nearly useless for tax purposes because districts cut across them irregularly. Some ZIP codes contain multiple tax rates, and neighboring cities can differ by several percentage points. You need the precise street address to know your rate.
What's taxed and what's exempt in Illinois
Both groceries and clothing are taxable in Illinois. Your grocery bill at the supermarket includes sales tax.
Software as a service (SaaS) subscriptions are not taxable in Illinois—a small tax break for software users. Prescription medicine is exempt. Restaurant food and prepared items are taxable. Since rules vary by the type of product, check what you're buying rather than guessing.
Do you have to collect Illinois sales tax? (Economic nexus)
Like most states after the 2018 Wayfair decision, Illinois requires out-of-state sellers to register and collect once their sales into the state cross an economic-nexus threshold. That line is commonly around $100,000 of sales into Illinois per year, and some states also count a number of separate transactions — but the exact figure, and whether the transaction count still applies, change from time to time. Confirm Illinois's current threshold before you rely on it.
If you sell into Illinois from out of state, the practical question is whether you've crossed that line. Watching your sales into each state is how you know when you're on the hook — and it's the kind of thing that's easy to miss until a notice shows up.
Nexus rules change often and vary by state (reviewed 2026-01-01). This is general information, not tax advice — confirm your obligations with the Illinois Department of Revenue or a tax professional.
How to calculate Illinois sales tax
The math itself is simple: multiply the taxable price by the combined rate for the buyer's location. A $100 order at 8.073% means about $8.07 in tax. The hard part is getting the right rate for every address, keeping it current as rates change, and doing it fast enough to run inside a checkout.
That's what Sefro does. One API call returns the combined state, county, city, and special-district rate for any US address, sourced from state Departments of Revenue and refreshed weekly. You can also calculate the full tax on an order, validate addresses, and pull return-ready reports. See how the data is sourced or pricing to start.
Look up the Illinois sales tax rate for any ZIP
Enter an Illinois ZIP code to see the live combined rate from the Sefro API.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Illinois?
Illinois' state sales tax is 6.25%, but combined with local taxes (which vary by city and county), your total rate can be anywhere from 6.25% to 11.25%.
Are groceries taxed in Illinois?
Yes. Groceries are taxable in Illinois at your combined state and local rate.
Do I have to collect Illinois sales tax if I sell online?
Once your sales into Illinois cross its economic-nexus threshold — commonly around $100,000 a year, sometimes with a transaction count — you generally must register and collect. Because states adjust these rules, check Illinois's current figure before relying on it.
How do I find the exact rate for an Illinois address?
Enter your exact street address into a lookup (ZIP codes don't work reliably). Sefro's API returns the combined rate for any Illinois address you specify.
Is SaaS or digital software taxable in Illinois?
No. SaaS subscriptions and digital software are not taxable in Illinois.
Does Illinois have local sales taxes on top of the state rate?
Yes. Illinois has 1,611 local taxing jurisdictions that layer taxes on top of the 6.25% state rate, creating combined rates as high as 11.25%.
Handle Illinois sales tax with one API call
Skip the rate tables and district lookups. Sefro returns the exact combined rate for any Illinois address in one request — start with a free trial.
Rates and rules on this page are provided for general information only and are not tax or legal advice. Rates change; confirm the current rate and your filing obligations with the Illinois Department of Revenue or a qualified professional. See our Terms.