Calculate your take-home pay in The Prairie State. Illinois income tax rate: 4.95%.
Illinois levies a flat 4.95% income tax on all taxable income. Illinois does not use a standard deduction but provides a personal exemption of $2,625 per person. The state constitution requires a flat tax rate. Some municipalities like Chicago suburbs may have additional local taxes.
| Item | Per Paycheck | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | - | - | - |
| Federal Income Tax | - | - | - |
| Illinois State Tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Social Security | - | - | - |
| Medicare | - | - | - |
| 401(k) + Pre-Tax | - | - | - |
| Take-Home Pay | - | - | - |
Illinois has a flat income tax rate of 4.95%. This calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions. Enter your salary or hourly wage above to see a detailed breakdown of your paycheck.
Illinois taxes all income at a flat 4.95% rate. The state constitution requires a flat rate (a 2020 ballot measure to allow graduated rates was rejected by voters). Illinois starts with federal adjusted gross income, and the personal exemption is $2,775 per person in 2026. The state does not tax retirement income (including Social Security, pensions, and 401(k)/IRA withdrawals), making it relatively friendly for retirees despite the flat tax.
Regardless of state taxes, all Illinois workers pay federal income tax using the 2026 brackets: 10% on the first $11,925 of taxable income (single), 12% up to $48,475, 22% up to $103,350, 24% up to $197,300, 32% up to $250,525, 35% up to $626,350, and 37% on income above that. The standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly in 2026.
All workers in Illinois pay Social Security tax at 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2026) and Medicare tax at 1.45% on all wages. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages over $200,000 for single filers. These federal payroll taxes apply uniformly regardless of which state you live in.
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income for both federal and state purposes. Contributing to a 401(k) (up to $24,500 in 2026, plus $8,000 catch-up if 50+) lowers both your federal and IL state tax bill. Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions ($4,300 individual, $8,550 family in 2026) are also pre-tax. Review your W-4 withholding: if you receive a large refund each year, you may be overwithholding, which means less money in each paycheck. The Tax Bracket Calculator shows your federal marginal and effective rates.
Illinois taxes income at a flat 4.95%. Chicago residents also pay some of the highest combined sales tax rates in the country (over 10%). Property taxes in Illinois are among the highest nationally, averaging about 2% of assessed value. For a comprehensive look at your Illinois take-home pay, factor in property and sales tax alongside income tax.
Illinois has been discussing a switch from its flat 4.95% rate to a graduated system for years, but the flat rate remains in effect. The stability of the flat rate makes paycheck planning straightforward. Chicago's high sales and property taxes mean your total tax burden is higher than the income tax alone suggests.