What this calculator does
Chicago has one of the highest combined sales tax rates of any big US city. This calculator adds tax to a price or backs it out of a receipt total, using the general merchandise rate or common restaurant rates.
How to use it
- Enter an amount.
- Say whether it is before tax or a total including tax.
- Choose the type of purchase.
The formula
Tax on a price = price × rate. Tax inside a total = total − total ÷ (1 + rate). The general rate is 10.50% from 08/01/2026: Illinois 6.25%, Cook County 1.75%, City of Chicago 1.25% and the Northern Illinois Transit Authority 1.25%.
Worked example
Using the default inputs shown in the calculator above:
| Rate component (general merchandise) | Rate |
|---|---|
| Illinois state | 6.25% |
| Cook County | 1.75% |
| City of Chicago | 1.25% |
| Northern Illinois Transit Authority (was RTA) | 1.25% |
| Combined general rate | 10.50% |
Sales tax: $10.50. Total with tax $110.50 at 10.50%.
Chicago's 10.50% general rate is one of the highest big-city rates in the US because four governments each add a piece. Prepared food, soft drinks and liquor carry additional local taxes on top of this, while qualifying groceries are taxed at a much lower rate.
What else Chicago taxes
Beyond general sales tax, Chicago levies taxes on restaurant meals, soft drinks, bottled water, liquor, parking and ride-hailing. Qualifying groceries are taxed at a much lower rate: Illinois ended its 1% state grocery tax on 01/01/2026, and Chicago adopted its own 1% local grocery tax to replace it.
Sales tax on common Chicago purchases
The same purchase can carry a different tax depending on what it is and where you buy it. The table compares general merchandise with restaurant meals, which carry extra local taxes, inside and outside the downtown MPEA area.
| Amount | General (10.50%) | Restaurant (11.00%) | Downtown restaurant (12.00%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20.00 | $2.10 | $2.20 | $2.40 |
| $100.00 | $10.50 | $11.00 | $12.00 |
| $500.00 | $52.50 | $55.00 | $60.00 |
| $1,500.00 | $157.50 | $165.00 | $180.00 |
On a $100 dinner downtown, tax is about $12.00, compared with $10.50 on $100 of general merchandise. Groceries, soft drinks and liquor follow separate rules, so check receipts from those purchases against the categories the Illinois Department of Revenue publishes.
Common mistakes and tips
- Using the pre-August 2026 rate of 10.25%.
- Assuming groceries are taxed at the general rate.
- Forgetting that downtown restaurant meals carry an extra 1% MPEA tax.
- Mixing up suburban Cook County rates, which differ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chicago sales tax rate in 2026?
10.50% for general merchandise from 08/01/2026 (10.25% before that).
Are groceries taxed in Chicago?
Yes, at a low rate. The state 1% grocery tax ended on 01/01/2026, and Chicago replaced it with its own 1% grocery tax.
Why are restaurant receipts higher?
Chicago adds a restaurant tax, and the downtown Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority area adds another 1%.
Is sales tax the same in the suburbs?
No. Each suburb sets its own home-rule and local rates.
Sources
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, legal, real estate, or insurance advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions.