Cook County, IL Car Tax & Registration (2026)
In Cook County, a dealer car purchase is taxed at about 10.25% (the countywide base — cities can be higher), on top of the statewide $165 title and $151 registration fees. And note: Cook County (plus the City of Chicago) adds a local private-party vehicle tax ($90–$225 by vehicle age) on top of the state's flat table. Cook County requires emissions testing to renew registration.
Verified July 2026 from official sources. How we verify fees.
What you'll pay in Cook County
- Dealer sales tax: ~10.25% base (varies by city/ZIP)
- Private-party tax: flat RUT-50 table + Cook local tax
- Title: $165 · Registration: $151 (statewide)
- Emissions: required
How the tax works
Dealer purchases are taxed at your registration-address rate, which varies within Cook County by city — resolve your exact rate on the Illinois DOR Tax Rate Finder. Private-party sales use the state RUT-50 flat table (based on the vehicle's price and age), shown on our Illinois title & tax page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Cook County, IL?
Dealer purchases are taxed at about 10.25% (countywide base; cities can be higher). Private-party sales use Illinois's flat statewide RUT-50 table, plus Cook County's local private-party tax.
Does Cook County require emissions testing?
Cook County requires emissions testing to renew registration.
How much is car registration in Cook County?
Title is $165 and registration is $151 statewide. The county-specific part is the dealer sales-tax rate (~10.25%) on a purchase.