The Tax Foundation

Illinois

The Facts on Illinois’ Tax Climate

Last updated July 1, 2009

Here are some basic facts on Illinois’ tax system and how it compares to other states:

Tax Freedom Day Arrives on April 13 in Illinois
Tax Freedom Day is the day when Americans finally have earned enough money to pay off their total tax bill for the year. In 2009, Illinois taxpayers had to work until April 13 to pay their total tax bill, ranking the state 15th nationally. Illinois' Tax Freedom Day falls on the same day as national Tax Freedom Day. The Tax Freedom Days of neighboring states are: Wisconsin, April 13 (ranked 12th nationally); Iowa, April 4 (ranked 39th nationally); Missouri, April 6 (ranked 34th nationally); Kentucky, April 3 (ranked 41st nationally); and Indiana, April 8 (ranked 28th nationally).
Full study of Tax Freedom Day, nationwide and in each state

Illinois' State/Local Tax Burden Below National Average
Estimated at 9.3% of income, Illinois' state/local tax burden ranks 30th highest nationally, below the national average of 9.7%. Illinois taxpayers pay $4,346 per capita in state and local taxes.
llinois' State-Local Tax Burden, 1977-present
Other States' State/Local Tax Burdens
Historical Chart Comparing All States' State/Local Tax Burdens from 1977 to 2008

Illinois' 2010 Business Tax Climate Ranks 30th
Illinois ranks 30th in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property. Neighboring states ranked as follows: Wisconsin (42nd), Iowa (46th), Missouri (16th), Kentucky (20th) and Indiana (12th).
50-State Comparison of Business Tax Climates (data only)
2009 State Business Tax Climate Index, Sixth Edition (full study)

Illinois' Individual Income Tax System
Illinois' personal income tax system consists of a flat 3% rate on federal adjusted gross income. That rate is the lowest among states that levy individual income taxes. Illinois' 2006 individual income tax collections were $677 per person, which ranked 33rd highest nationally.
50-State Table of Individual Income Tax Rates
50-State Table of State Individual Income Tax Collections
50-State Table of State and Local Individual Income Tax Collections Per Capita

Illinois' Corporate Income Tax System
Illinois' corporate tax structure consists of a flat rate of 7.3% on all corporate income. Among states levying corporate income taxes, Illinois' rate ranks 23rd highest. In 2007, state-level corporate tax collections (excluding local taxes) were $229 per capita, which ranks 11th highest nationally.
50-State Table of Corporate Income Tax Rates
50-State Table of State and Local Corporate Income Tax Collections Per Capita and Per Household
50-State Table of State Corporate Income Tax Collections Per Capita

Illinois Levies Sales Tax above National Median
Illinois levies a 6.25% general sales or use tax on consumers, which is above the national median of 6%. State and local governments combined collected $711 per capita in 2006 in general sales taxes, which ranks 38th nationally. Illinois' gasoline tax stands at 33.8 cents per gallon, which ranks 6th highest nationally. Additionally, the state's general sales tax is applied to gasoline purchases. The cigarette tax stands at 98 cents per pack of twenty and ranks 29th nationally. The sales tax was adopted in 1933, the gasoline tax in 1927 and the cigarette tax in 1941.
50-State Table of Sales and Excise Tax Rates
50-State Table of State and Local General Sales Tax Collections Per Capita and Per Household
50-State Table of State and Local General Sales and Gross Receipts Tax Collections Per Household and Per Capita

Illinois Property Taxes: Comparatively High
Illinois is one of the 37 states that collect property taxes at both the state and local levels. As in most states, local governments collect far more. Illinois' localities collected $1,528.87 per capita in property taxes in fiscal year 2006, which is the latest year for which the Census Bureau has published state-by-state data. At the state level, Illinois collected $5.07 during FY 2006. Combined state/local property taxes were $1,533.94, which rank10th highest nationally.
State property tax collections per capita by state

Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures: Illinois is a Donor State
Illinois taxpayers receive less federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid compared to the average state. In 2005, Illinois citizens received approximately $0.75 in the way of federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid. This ranks the state 45th nationally and represents a slight rise from 1995, when Illinois received $0.74 per dollar of taxes in federal spending and ranked 47th nationally. Neighboring states and the amount of federal spending they received per dollar of federal taxation paid were as follows: Wisconsin ($0.86), Iowa ($1.10), Missouri ($1.32), Kentucky ($1.51) and Indiana ($1.05).
Comparing the amount of federal taxes sent to Washington with the amount of federal spending coming back to the state

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