Illinois paycheck taxes at a glance
| State income tax | Flat 4.95% |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction | None |
| Personal exemption | $2,925 single, $5,850 joint |
| Per dependent | $2,925 exemption |
| Pre-tax deductions | 401(k), HSA and health premiums lower state tax too |
| Local income tax | None on wages |
| State payroll deductions | None |
| Reciprocity | With IA, KY, MI, WI |
| Figures | Tax year 2026 |
Every paycheck also has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%), worked out with the same 2026 IRS figures as ourmain paycheck calculator.
Worked examples
A $60,000 salary in Springfield, single, paid every two weeks
| Per paycheck | Per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 | $60,000 |
| Federal income tax | − $193.08 | − $5,020 |
| Social Security and Medicare | − $176.54 | − $4,590 |
| Illinois income tax | − $108.66 | − $2,825 |
| Take-home pay | $1,829.41 | $47,565 |
Single, paid every two weeks (26 paychecks). Illinois taxable income is $57,075 and the state tax is $2,825, an effective 4.709% of gross pay. Only the $2,925 exemption comes off before the 4.95% rate, so Illinois takes a steady slice of almost every dollar, unlike states with large standard deductions.
A $130,000 household in Naperville, married filing jointly with two children
| Per paycheck | Per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $5,000.00 | $130,000 |
| 401(k) at 6% | − $300.00 | − $7,800 |
| Federal income tax | − $227.08 | − $5,904 |
| Social Security and Medicare | − $382.50 | − $9,945 |
| Illinois income tax | − $210.38 | − $5,470 |
| Take-home pay | $3,880.05 | $100,881 |
Married filing jointly, 2 children, paid every two weeks (26 paychecks). Illinois taxable income is $110,500 and the state tax is $5,470, an effective 4.208% of gross pay. Four exemptions of $2,925 and the 6% 401(k) deferral both lower Illinois taxable income. The household is far below the $500,000 joint limit, so the full exemptions apply.
The $250,000 exemption cliff
The exemption allowance does not shrink gradually. If your federal adjusted gross income is above $250,000 (single, head of household or married filing separately) or $500,000 (married filing jointly), you get no exemption at all, so every dollar is taxed at 4.95%. For a family of four that is $11,700 of exemptions lost, or about $579 more tax. The calculator applies this cliff using your wages after 401(k) and other pre-tax deductions.
Reciprocity with four neighbours
Illinois has reciprocal agreements with Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin. If you live in one of those states and work in Illinois, your wages are taxed only by your home state: give your employer Form IL-W-5-NR so it stops withholding Illinois tax. People who live in Indiana or Missouri and work in Illinois pay Illinois tax and usually claim a credit at home. See the Indiana and Wisconsin calculators.
No local income tax, no SDI
Chicago, Cook County and every other Illinois city or county leave wages alone, so where you live inside Illinois does not change your take-home pay. Illinois also has no state disability insurance or paid family leave payroll deduction, so the only lines on your pay stub beyond federal tax and FICA are Illinois income tax and anything you choose, such as a 401(k). Traditional 401(k), HSA and cafeteria-plan deductions are excluded from Illinois wages, just as for federal tax.
Illinois vs. neighboring states
Take-home pay on a $75,000 salary, single, no pre-tax deductions and no local tax:
| State | Income tax | State tax + programs | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Flat 4.95% | $3,568 | $58,025 |
| Wisconsin | 3.5% to 7.65% (4 brackets) | $2,985 | $58,607 |
| Iowa | Flat 3.8% | $2,198 | $59,394 |
| Missouri | 2% to 4.7% (8 brackets, 0% up to $1,348 single) | $2,534 | $59,059 |
| Kentucky | Flat 3.5% | $2,507 | $59,085 |
| Indiana | Flat 2.95% | $2,183 | $59,410 |
Where you work and where you live can both matter. See paycheck calculators for every state for the full comparison.