Estimate your transfer tax
Enter the sale price and the property location. The estimate uses standard 2026 rates and rounds price up to the next $500 increment, the way the tax is assessed.
Enter a sale price to calculate.
Transfer tax calculator
Chicago Transfer Tax Calculator
Estimate the Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago real property transfer tax on a home sale, and see how the bill splits between buyer and seller. This is a free planning tool, not legal, tax, or title advice.
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Transfer tax is one line on the closing statement. Get a full picture of net proceeds with a direct review.
Transfer tax rates at a glance
| Tax | Per $500 | Per $1,000 | Usually paid by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois state | $0.50 | $1.00 | Seller |
| Cook County | $0.25 | $0.50 | Seller |
| Chicago city, buyer share | $3.75 | $7.50 | Buyer |
| Chicago city, seller share (CTA) | $1.50 | $3.00 | Seller |
Chicago city transfer tax totals $5.25 per $500 ($10.50 per $1,000). Suburbs outside Chicago set their own municipal rate, which can differ from the city split.
How Chicago and Illinois transfer tax works
A real property transfer tax is charged when a deed is recorded. In the Chicago area there are up to three layers. Illinois charges a state tax of $0.50 per $500 of price. Cook County adds $0.25 per $500. Inside the City of Chicago, the city real property transfer tax adds $5.25 per $500, split so the buyer pays $3.75 and the seller pays $1.50 toward the transit (CTA) portion.
The tax is calculated on each $500 of price, or fraction of $500, so the price is effectively rounded up to the next $500 before the rate is applied. Who actually pays each portion can be negotiated in the sale contract, and certain transfers may qualify for an exemption that removes part or all of the tax. The figures here are estimates to help you plan a net sheet, not a substitute for the official declaration prepared at closing.
Transfer Tax FAQs
Who pays the transfer tax in Chicago?
In Chicago, the buyer pays the city portion of $3.75 per $500 and the seller pays the CTA portion of $1.50 per $500, plus the Illinois state tax of $0.50 per $500 and the Cook County tax of $0.25 per $500, which are typically seller-paid. Parties can agree otherwise by contract.
How much is the Chicago transfer tax?
The Chicago city real property transfer tax is $5.25 per $500 of price, which is $10.50 per $1,000, split as $3.75 buyer and $1.50 seller. With Illinois state and Cook County tax added, a Chicago sale carries roughly $12.00 per $1,000 in combined transfer tax before any exemptions.
Is the transfer tax different in the Chicago suburbs?
Yes. Outside the city, Illinois state and Cook County transfer tax still apply, but each municipality sets its own additional transfer tax. Some suburbs charge nothing, while others, such as Evanston and Skokie, add their own rate and may assign it to the buyer or the seller. Confirm the local rate with the municipality before closing.
Are any property transfers exempt from transfer tax?
Some transfers can qualify for an exemption, such as certain transfers between spouses, to a living trust, by court order, or below a minimum value. Exemptions are specific and must be documented on the declaration. Confirm eligibility with your attorney or title company.
Is this transfer tax calculator official?
No. This is a free planning tool that estimates standard rates. It is not legal, tax, or title advice, and it does not capture every municipal rate or exemption. Use the City of Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois Department of Revenue resources and your closing professionals for the binding figures.
This calculator is general information for Chicago-area owners and buyers. It is not legal, tax, lending, or title advice, and rates or exemptions can change. Verify figures with the City of Chicago, Cook County, the Illinois Department of Revenue, and your closing professionals before money moves or documents are signed.