Illinois Paycheck Calculator

Your Illinois
Take-Home Pay

IL flat tax 4.95% — simple, predictable, constitutionally required. No Chicago city income tax. See your exact take-home, updated for 2026.

4.95% IL Flat Rate No Chicago City Tax 2026 Rates Salary & Hourly
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Illinois Paycheck Calculator
2026 · Federal + IL 4.95%
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Illinois: 4.95% flat — no Chicago city income tax
Illinois constitution requires a flat income tax. Chicago does NOT charge a city income tax on wages. Personal exemption of $2,925 per taxpayer (2026). No standard deduction — 4.95% applies to net income after exemption.
Annual Gross Salary
$
Pay Frequency
Filing Status
401(k) Pre-Tax / Period
$
Health Insurance / Period
$
Post-Tax Deductions
$
Take-Home Biweekly
$0
$0 annual
Effective Rate
0%
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Gross Pay
Per period
$0
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Federal Tax
0%
−$0
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IL State Tax
4.95% flat
−$0
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Social Security
6.2%
−$0
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Medicare
1.45%
−$0
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Other Deductions
401k, health...
−$0
Every dollar breakdown
Take-Home Federal IL State Social Security Medicare
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Illinois vs. Texas: The Windy City Tax

Illinois's 4.95% flat tax is moderate compared to coastal states, but higher than zero-tax states. On a $70,000 salary:

🏙️ Illinois — 4.95% Flat
$51,800
Annual take-home
🤠 Texas — 0% State Tax
$54,900
Annual take-home

A Texas worker earning $70,000 keeps about $3,100 more per year than an Illinois worker. However, Chicago's job market — especially in finance, tech, and consulting — often commands higher salaries that offset the state tax difference. Illinois also does not tax Social Security or retirement income.

2026 Illinois Tax Summary

ItemRate / AmountNotes
IL State Income Tax4.95%Flat rate — constitutionally required in IL
Personal Exemption$2,925Per taxpayer (2026). Reduces taxable income before 4.95%
Chicago City Tax$0Chicago does NOT have a city income tax on wages
Social Security IncomeNot taxedIL does not tax SS benefits
Retirement IncomeNot taxed401k, pension, IRA distributions all exempt in IL
Property Tax (avg)1.95%2nd highest in US. Cook County (Chicago) ~2.7%
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Frequently asked questions

QWhat is Illinois's income tax rate for 2026?
Illinois has a flat income tax rate of 4.95% for 2026. The Illinois Constitution requires a flat income tax — progressive brackets are constitutionally prohibited without a constitutional amendment. The 4.95% rate applies to all net income, after a personal exemption of $2,925 per taxpayer (2026). There is no standard deduction.
QDo Chicago residents pay a city income tax?
No. Unlike New York City or Philadelphia, Chicago does not impose a city income tax on wages. Illinois workers in Chicago pay only the 4.95% state tax plus federal taxes. However, Chicago has very high sales taxes (up to 10.25% in the city) and Cook County property taxes averaging 2.7% — among the highest in the nation.
QWhat is the take-home pay on a $70,000 salary in Illinois?
For a single filer earning $70,000 with a $2,925 personal exemption and biweekly pay, estimated annual take-home is approximately $51,800 — about $1,992 per biweekly paycheck. Use the calculator above for your specific deductions and filing status.
QDoes Illinois tax Social Security or retirement income?
No. Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits, pension income, 401(k) distributions, or IRA withdrawals. This is a significant benefit for retirees — most retirement income is completely exempt from Illinois state income tax, even though the 4.95% rate applies to wages and investment income.
QWhat is the 2026 Illinois minimum wage?
Illinois's minimum wage in 2026 is $15.00 per hour statewide, having reached the $15 target through annual increases. Chicago's minimum wage is higher at $16.20 per hour. Illinois has one of the highest minimum wages among Midwestern states.