Illinois Salary & Tax Calculator
See exactly how much you're taking home in Illinois. This calculator is pre-filled with the state's 4.95% flat income tax rate so you can get a realistic estimate fast.
Illinois is one of a small group of states whose constitution requires a single flat income tax rate for everyone, currently set at 4.95%. Whether you're a recent graduate in downstate Illinois or a finance professional in the Chicago Loop, the state applies the exact same marginal rate to your taxable income — there's no progressive climb like you'd see in Hawaii or California. Regionally, Illinois sits in the middle of the pack: its 4.95% rate is noticeably higher than neighboring Indiana's 3.05% flat rate, but stays close to or below Iowa's 3.8% and Wisconsin's graduated top brackets. Illinois voters actually rejected a 2020 ballot measure that would have swapped this flat system for a graduated one, so the current structure is likely to stick around. One thing that keeps Illinois payroll relatively simple: despite Chicago's reputation for high costs, the city and other Illinois municipalities are not allowed to add their own local income tax on top of the state rate, unlike Indiana's county-level surtaxes. Use the calculator below with your own gross salary and deductions — the 4.95% figure is pre-loaded as your starting point.
*Estimates only. Not tax, financial, or legal advice. Consult a tax professional for precise figures.
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How it Works
Strips away estimated income taxes and common deductions from your gross Illinois salary to reveal your actual take-home (net) pay.
The Formula
Net Pay = Gross Pay - (Federal Tax + Illinois Flat Tax of 4.95% + FICA + Pre-tax Deductions).
Pro Tip
Because the rate is flat regardless of income, Illinois payroll withholding is predictable — a raise never bumps you into a higher state bracket, so this calculator stays accurate as your salary changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Illinois have a state income tax? +
Yes. Illinois uses a flat individual income tax rate of 4.95%, applied equally to every dollar of taxable income regardless of how much you earn. Illinois is one of a handful of states with a constitutionally mandated flat tax.
How does Illinois's income tax compare to its neighbors? +
Illinois's 4.95% flat rate is higher than neighboring Indiana's 3.05% flat rate, but generally lower than Iowa's 3.8% and comparable to or below Wisconsin's top brackets. Missouri and Kentucky both use progressive systems with lower entry-level rates but similar top rates.
Do Illinois cities like Chicago add a local income tax? +
No. Illinois does not permit cities or counties, including Chicago, to levy a separate municipal income tax on wages. The 4.95% state flat rate is the only state-level income tax withheld from your paycheck.
Are there proposals to make Illinois's tax progressive? +
Illinois voters rejected a 2020 ballot measure that would have replaced the flat tax with a graduated bracket system, so the constitution still requires a single flat rate for all income levels for the foreseeable future.
What tax rate should I use for this calculator? +
The field is pre-filled with 4.95%, Illinois's flat state income tax rate. Since there's no local income tax layered on top, this figure is close to your actual state withholding; combine it with your federal effective rate for a fuller picture.