State-only results are explicitly partial. The local rate must match the item category and date. The transit helper is added only when the entered local rate excludes it, avoiding double counting. MED rates require the exact township rather than a county-wide assumption.

Formula

Combined rate = state rate + verified other local rates + any separately selected transit rate. Grocery state tax is zero from 2026; medical state tax remains 1%. The 2026 school holiday reduces the ordinary state portion by five percentage points.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE

When to use this calculator

The Illinois calculator separates state, local and selected transit components and applies the supported dated changes. It helps review groceries, medical items and eligible school-holiday purchases without interpreting a change in one component as removal of every tax on the transaction.

Information to prepare

Confirm the purchase date and category and check whether your local input already includes transit tax. Adding the separately selected transit component twice would overstate the combined rate. A school-holiday reduction depends on eligibility and applies to the component described in the form.

How to interpret the result

The taxable base can differ from the final payment because of discounts, excluded charges or specially treated items. Assessed tax describes the liability on the transaction, while remaining tax can also depend on valid payments and credits. A combined rate should contain only the components applicable to the location. Exemptions depend on specific facts: a product name resembling a form option is not enough to establish eligibility. Review the item, location, date and charge treatment together before comparing the result with a receipt.

A practical comparison

For a grocery receipt, inspect state and local tax independently before concluding that a zero state amount means a tax-free purchase. Compare the same date and locality across scenarios. Purchases in another state require its own category definitions and rate components.

Check your calculation step by step

  1. Match the figures to the selected period and use USD for monetary inputs. If you start with a document in another currency or covering several periods, resolve that difference before entering a combined amount.
  2. Calculate the documented case first. Then change one input at a time to compare scenarios. Keep the original values available so a change in the result can be traced to a particular assumption rather than several simultaneous edits.
  3. Read the component breakdown alongside the formula and examples below. If an official document differs, check the date, base, rounding and omitted concepts before changing a rate or treating the difference as an error.

Continue with a related calculation

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Frequently asked questions

Does the grocery repeal eliminate all tax on food?

No. Municipal/county replacement grocery taxes and NITA/MED tax may remain. Check the category-specific local rate. The calculator labels the state-only result as incomplete.

What changed in August 2026?

From 1 August, Cook NITA rates are 1.25% for general merchandise and 1.50% for grocery/medical categories; the five collar counties use 1%. Earlier dates retain the previous transit rates.

Is the school holiday a complete exemption?

No. On 7–16 August 2026, qualifying clothing under $125 and listed school supplies use a 1.25% state portion plus applicable local tax. School supplies have no $125 cap. Reimbursed manufacturer coupons do not reduce the clothing test price.

CHECK THE REFERENCES

Official sources