Overview
That flat table creates a real cliff. A one-year-old car sold privately for $14,999 owes $465 in state tax under Table A, which is keyed to the vehicle's age. The identical car sold for $15,001 - two dollars more - jumps to Table B and owes $850 minimum, priced by dollar band instead of age. On top of whichever tax applies, everyone pays the same $165 title fee and $151 annual registration. Add Chicago or Cook County to a private sale and their own flat local taxes stack on top of the state number.
Pick dealer or private-party below, plug in your numbers, and the calculator runs the correct Illinois formula - including the Table A/Table B split, the local Chicago and Cook County add-ons, and the $15 flat rate for qualifying family transfers.
01 - Official fees
Illinois tax, title & license fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer sales tax | 6.25%–10.25% | of price minus trade-in; no trade-in cap since 2022 |
| Private-party tax, Table A | $100–$465 | price under $15,000, set by vehicle age |
| Private-party tax, Table B | $850–$10,100 | price $15,000+, set by price band |
| Family transfer (RUT-50 exception) | $15 flat | spouse, parent, child, sibling |
| Title fee | $165 | |
| Registration (passenger) | $151/yr | |
| Electric vehicle fee | $100/yr | in lieu of motor fuel tax |
| Chicago / Cook County add-on | $0–$305 | private sales only, stacks with state tax |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Illinois Secretary of State (vehicle tax is paid to the Illinois Department of Revenue, IDOR) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to pay Illinois TTL
- 1
Get the signed-over Illinois title from the seller (a dealer handles this step for you).
- 2
Dealer sale: the dealer collects Retailers' Occupation Tax and files the paperwork. Private sale: complete Form RUT-50 yourself.
- 3
Bring the title, RUT-50 (if private), proof of insurance, and ID to a Secretary of State facility within 20 days of taking delivery.
- 4
Pay the tax, the $165 title fee, and the $151 registration in one transaction.
- 5
Your plates and sticker are issued on the spot or mailed within about two weeks.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Illinois vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Illinois tax, title & license FAQ
How much is TTL on a $30,000 car bought from an Illinois dealer?
Outside Chicago, roughly $2,492: about $2,175 in sales tax at a typical 7.25% combined rate, $165 title, and $151 registration. In Chicago at 10.25% the tax alone is $3,075, pushing the total near $3,391. Trade-ins reduce the taxable price dollar for dollar with no cap.
How much is TTL on the same $30,000 car bought privately?
Completely different math: since the price is $15,000 or more, Illinois uses RUT-50 Table B, which owes a flat $1,600 regardless of the car's age. Add the $165 title and $151 registration and you're at $1,916 - often far less than the dealer tax on the identical car.
Why does the tax jump so much right at $15,000?
Because Illinois switches its whole methodology at that price. Under $15,000, Table A taxes by the vehicle's age (as low as $100 for an 11-year-old car). At $15,000 and up, Table B taxes by price band starting at $850. A $14,999 sale and a $15,001 sale can differ by hundreds of dollars in tax for two dollars of price.
Does a trade-in reduce tax on a private-party purchase?
No - Form RUT-50 explicitly disallows a trade-in deduction. The flat-table tax is based on your price or fair market value alone. Trade-in credit is a dealer-only benefit in Illinois, and since 2022 it applies to the vehicle's full value with no $10,000 cap.
Why did Chicago add $305 to my private-party tax bill?
Chicago and Cook County each levy their own private-party vehicle use tax on top of the state RUT-50 amount, and both apply if your address is in the city. For a car 3 years old or newer that's $80 (Chicago) plus $225 (Cook County) - $305 in local tax stacked on the state table.
What does Illinois charge to register an EV?
An extra $100 a year on top of the standard $151, charged in lieu of the motor fuel tax EVs don't pay. A bill pending in Springfield (SB 3566) would raise this to $320 starting July 2027, but as of July 2026 it hasn't passed - $100 is still the law.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.