Illinois drivers purchasing or registering vehicles in Cook County and the five collar counties will begin paying higher vehicle-related sales taxes starting August 1, 2026, following a 0.25 percentage-point increase under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act. The increase affects transactions involving motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and other items that must be titled or registered in Illinois.
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) announced that the higher NITA occupation and use tax applies in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Dealers selling titled vehicles and buyers registering vehicles in those counties should ensure they are using updated tax rates for transactions completed on or after August 1, 2026.
What Changed?
The NITA tax rate increases by 0.25% across the six-county region.
For vehicle purchases:
- Cook County: NITA rate increases to 1.25%
- DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties: NITA rate increases to 1.00%
The increase applies to items that must be titled or registered with the State of Illinois, including motor vehicles.
How Much More Will Buyers Pay?
For many buyers, the increase is relatively small on a percentage basis but can still add meaningful cost to a vehicle purchase.
For example:
A buyer purchasing a $42,000 SUV in Addison, DuPage County:
- Previous combined vehicle tax rate: 8.25%
- New combined vehicle tax rate: 8.50%
Vehicle sales tax:
- Before: $3,465
- After: $3,570
Additional tax: $105
A similar $42,000 purchase in Alsip, Cook County increases from 8.50% to 8.75%, producing the same $105 increase in sales tax.
What This Means for Vehicle Buyers
If you are purchasing or registering a vehicle in Cook County or the surrounding collar counties after August 1, 2026, expect a slightly higher out-the-door price because of the NITA increase.
Although the additional amount varies depending on the vehicle price and local tax jurisdiction, buyers should verify that dealers are using the latest Illinois tax tables when preparing purchase agreements.
Vehicle Tax Calculators has updated its Illinois vehicle tax database to reflect the latest ordinance data published by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Sources
- Illinois Department of Revenue, FY 2026-34 — Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Occupation and Use Tax Rate Change.
- Illinois Department of Revenue ordinance machine-readable rate file.
- Vehicle Tax Calculators Illinois rate reconciliation, August 2026.