What is the sales tax rate in Chicago?
The combined sales tax rate in Chicago, Illinois is 10.25% as of 2026. It is made up of the Illinois statewide base rate of 6.25%, plus applicable Cook County and local district taxes. Chicago sits within Cook County, and the rate can vary slightly across ZIP codes because of special district additions (see the ZIP breakdown below).
Sales tax in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, which collects and distributes tax on behalf of the state and its local jurisdictions. The rate applies to most retail sales of tangible personal property delivered within Chicago.
Who needs to collect sales tax in Chicago, Illinois?
Any business with sales tax nexus in Illinois must register, collect, and remit sales tax on taxable sales delivered to Chicago. Nexus is established through:
- Physical presence: an office, store, warehouse, employee, or inventory located in Illinois.
- Economic nexus: exceeding $100,000 in sales to Illinois customers in the current or prior year.
- Marketplace facilitators: platforms such as Amazon or Etsy collect and remit on behalf of their third-party sellers.
Out-of-state (remote) sellers that cross Illinois's economic nexus threshold must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue before continuing to sell into the state.
How do you register for a sales tax permit in Chicago?
To collect sales tax in Chicago, you must register for a sales tax permit with the Illinois Department of Revenue. Registration is generally free. You will typically need your EIN or SSN, business entity details, bank account information, and an estimate of your monthly Illinois sales. Most permits are issued within a few business days of an online application.
How do you charge the right sales tax in Chicago?
Sales tax in Chicago is charged based on the delivery address. For orders shipped to a Chicago address, the combined rate of 10.25% generally applies; for in-store sales, the rate is based on the store's location. Because some ZIP codes within Cook County carry additional special-district taxes, always confirm the exact rate for the specific delivery ZIP code. The tables below show the most common Chicago ZIP codes and how Chicago compares with other cities in Cook County and across Illinois.
