Car ownership costs in Illinois
What it costs to own a car in Illinois beyond the sticker price - sales tax, annual registration, vehicle property tax, inspection requirements, and title fee.
- Vehicle sales tax
- 6.25%
- Illinois imposes a 6.25% state Retailers' Occupation/Use Tax on motor vehicles (vehicles are "general merchandise, including items required to be titled or registered," per the IL Dept. of Revenue). Local taxes are added on top, pushing combined rates to roughly 7%-11% depending on registration location (e.g., Chicago/Cook County). For dealer sales the rate is determined by the dealer's location; trade-in credit applies to dealer transactions but private-party Vehicle Use Tax (RUT-50) uses flat tiered amounts based on price/age with no trade-in deduction.
Sales tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- Annual registration fee
- ~$151/yr
- Standard passenger vehicle registration is a flat $151 per year (renewed annually), per the Illinois Secretary of State. It is a flat fee, not weight- or value-based, for ordinary passenger cars. Electric vehicles pay an extra $100 EV fee (total $251). Chicago and some municipalities additionally require their own city vehicle sticker (separate local fee).
Registration fee: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- Vehicle property tax
- No vehicle property tax
- Illinois does not levy an annual ad valorem or personal-property tax on motor vehicles.
Vehicle property tax: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- State inspection
- Required
- Emissions testing only (OBD-based) is required in the Chicago metro area and the Metro-East St. Louis area under the federal Clean Air Act; there is no statewide periodic safety inspection for ordinary passenger vehicles.
Inspection rule: source checked · 2026-Q2 Official source
- Title fee
- ~$165
- One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
- Example: $35,000 vehicle
- Sales tax: $2,188
- + $151/yr registration + no property tax
How state fees affect your car's true cost in Illinois
When you buy a vehicle in Illinois, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of 6.25%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $2,188 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.
After the purchase, Illinois charges an estimated $151 per year to register the vehicle. Standard passenger vehicle registration is a flat $151 per year (renewed annually), per the Illinois Secretary of State. It is a flat fee, not weight- or value-based, for ordinary passenger cars. Electric vehicles pay an extra $100 EV fee (total $251). Chicago and some municipalities additionally require their own city vehicle sticker (separate local fee).
Illinois does not impose a personal property tax on vehicles — which is a meaningful advantage over states that do, where owners can pay 0.5%–2% of the vehicle's value annually.
Illinois requires periodic vehicle inspections. Emissions testing only (OBD-based) is required in the Chicago metro area and the Metro-East St. Louis area under the federal Clean Air Act; there is no statewide periodic safety inspection for ordinary passenger vehicles. Inspection fees are typically $20–$70 depending on the station and vehicle type.
Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in Illinois
The TCO calculator pre-fills Illinois's sales tax and registration fee. Add your purchase price, loan terms, fuel type, and insurance to see the complete picture.
Open TCO calculatorRecent fee changes in Illinois
Official-source changes linked by state slug. Each record keeps the effective date and agency source next to each claim.
Frequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Illinois?
The vehicle sales tax rate in Illinois is 6.25%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $2,188 at the time of purchase. Illinois imposes a 6.25% state Retailers' Occupation/Use Tax on motor vehicles (vehicles are "general merchandise, including items required to be titled or registered," per the IL Dept. of Revenue). Local taxes are added on top, pushing combined rates to roughly 7%-11% depending on registration location (e.g., Chicago/Cook County). For dealer sales the rate is determined by the dealer's location; trade-in credit applies to dealer transactions but private-party Vehicle Use Tax (RUT-50) uses flat tiered amounts based on price/age with no trade-in deduction.
How much is vehicle registration in Illinois?
The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Illinois is around $151 per year. Standard passenger vehicle registration is a flat $151 per year (renewed annually), per the Illinois Secretary of State. It is a flat fee, not weight- or value-based, for ordinary passenger cars. Electric vehicles pay an extra $100 EV fee (total $251). Chicago and some municipalities additionally require their own city vehicle sticker (separate local fee).
Does Illinois have a vehicle property tax?
No. Illinois does not impose an annual personal property tax on vehicles. Illinois does not levy an annual ad valorem or personal-property tax on motor vehicles.
Is a vehicle inspection required in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires periodic vehicle safety (and in some areas emissions) inspections. Emissions testing only (OBD-based) is required in the Chicago metro area and the Metro-East St. Louis area under the federal Clean Air Act; there is no statewide periodic safety inspection for ordinary passenger vehicles.
Other states
Get the car ownership cost checklist
A free, plain-English guide to every cost you'll face owning a car — plus occasional updates when state registration fees or tax rules change. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.