Illinois Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your exact Illinois take-home pay instantly. Illinois taxes all wages at a flat 4.95% β no brackets, no surprise jumps. And unlike New York City or Philadelphia, Chicago charges zero city income tax. See your full federal + state breakdown in real time.
π‘ Salary Change Simulator
See how a raise or pay cut affects your Illinois take-home pay β including the flat 4.95% state impact.
How the Illinois Paycheck Calculator Works
Illinois uses a constitutionally mandated flat income tax β currently set at 4.95% β applied to all net income after personal exemptions. Unlike most states, there are no graduated brackets. Whether you earn $30,000 or $300,000, the state takes exactly 4.95 cents on every taxable dollar. Each filer receives a personal exemption of $2,425, and each dependent adds another $2,425 to the exemption, which directly reduces your Illinois taxable income before the 4.95% is applied.
One of the most misunderstood facts about Illinois: Chicago has no city income tax. Workers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, Aurora, and every other Illinois municipality all pay the same state rate and nothing additional to their city. This stands in sharp contrast to cities like Philadelphia (3.79% local EIT), New York City (3.08β3.88%), or Washington D.C. (4%β10.75% combined). For Illinois workers, the state rate is the entire story.
What Gets Deducted From an Illinois Paycheck
- Illinois State Income Tax (4.95% flat) β Applied after subtracting the $2,425 personal exemption for the filer, plus $2,425 per dependent. No brackets, no phase-outs.
- Federal Income Tax (10%β37%) β Standard IRS brackets applied after the federal standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married / $24,150 HoH for 2025) and pre-tax deductions.
- Social Security (6.2%) β Applied to wages up to the $184,500 annual wage base.
- Medicare (1.45%) β Applied to all wages; an additional 0.9% applies above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
- No Illinois SDI or SUI (employee) β Illinois has no employee-paid state disability or unemployment insurance deduction.
- Pre-Tax Deductions β Traditional 401(k), 403(b), and HSA contributions reduce both your federal and Illinois state taxable income, compounding their benefit for IL workers.
| Deduction | Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | 10%β37% | Taxable income after deductions & credits |
| Illinois State Income Tax | 4.95% flat | Net income after $2,425 personal exemption per person |
| Illinois Local / City Tax | 0% | None β no Illinois city levies a local income tax |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 annual wage base |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All earned income |
| Additional Medicare Tax | 0.9% | Income above $200K (single) / $250K (married) |
| IL Employee SDI / SUI | 0% | No employee deduction in Illinois |
Illinois Salary After Tax: Common Examples
The table below shows estimated annual take-home pay for common Illinois salary levels β single filer, no dependents, no pre-tax deductions.
| Annual Salary | Federal Tax (Est.) | IL State Tax (4.95%) | FICA (Est.) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | ~$2,670 | ~$1,609 | ~$2,678 | ~$28,100 |
| $50,000 | ~$4,800 | ~$2,356 | ~$3,825 | ~$39,000 |
| $65,000 | ~$7,490 | ~$3,093 | ~$4,973 | ~$49,400 |
| $80,000 | ~$10,480 | ~$3,831 | ~$6,120 | ~$59,600 |
| $100,000 | ~$14,780 | ~$4,830 | ~$7,650 | ~$72,700 |
| $125,000 | ~$21,530 | ~$6,053 | ~$9,563 | ~$87,900 |
| $150,000 | ~$27,080 | ~$7,283 | ~$11,243 | ~$104,400 |
*Single filer, no dependents, no pre-tax deductions. Use the calculator above for a precise result tailored to your situation.
Illinois vs. Other States: How Does the Tax Compare?
| State | State Income Tax | Local Income Tax | Combined State + Local |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 4.95% flat | None | 4.95% |
| California | 1%β13.3% graduated | None | Up to 13.3% |
| New York (NYC) | 4%β10.9% graduated | 3.08%β3.88% (NYC) | Up to 14.78% |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% flat | 1%β3.79% local EIT | Up to 6.86% |
| Florida | None | None | 0% |
| Texas | None | None | 0% |
| Indiana | 3.05% flat | 0.5%β2.9% county | Up to 5.95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Illinois state income tax rate?
Illinois charges a flat state income tax rate of 4.95% on all net income. Illinois is constitutionally required to use a flat rate β the same percentage applies to every dollar of taxable income regardless of how much you earn. A proposal to switch to a graduated rate (the “Fair Tax” amendment) was rejected by Illinois voters in November 2020.
Does Chicago have a city income tax?
No. Chicago does not charge a city income tax on wages or salary. Neither does any other Illinois city or municipality. This is one of Illinois’s significant advantages for workers compared to cities like New York City, Philadelphia, or Washington D.C., where local income taxes add 2%β4% on top of state rates.
How much is taken out of an Illinois paycheck?
For a typical Illinois employee, paycheck deductions include federal income tax (10%β37% depending on taxable income), Illinois flat state tax (4.95% after personal exemptions), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). There is no city income tax and no employee SDI or SUI in Illinois. Total effective deduction rates typically range from 20% to 35% depending on income level and filing status.
What is the Illinois personal exemption?
Illinois provides a personal exemption of $2,425 for the filer, plus an additional $2,425 for each dependent claimed. This amount is subtracted from your gross income before the 4.95% state rate is applied. A married couple filing jointly each get their own exemption ($4,850 combined), and each child or qualifying dependent adds another $2,425 to the total exemption.
Does a 401(k) reduce Illinois state taxes?
Yes. Traditional 401(k) and 403(b) contributions reduce your Illinois net income in the same way they reduce your federal taxable income. Since Illinois uses the federal adjusted gross income as its starting point, pre-tax retirement contributions lower the base before the 4.95% IL rate is applied. Note that Illinois does NOT tax retirement income received in retirement (pension distributions, Social Security, 401(k) withdrawals), making it a relatively retirement-friendly state.
What is Illinois’s minimum wage?
Illinois’s minimum wage reached $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2025, completing a multi-year phased increase that began in 2019. Chicago and Cook County may have their own ordinances, but the statewide floor is now $15.00/hr for most adult workers. Tipped employees receive a lower direct cash wage with tips expected to make up the difference.
Is overtime taxed differently in Illinois?
No. Overtime pay is taxed at the same 4.95% Illinois flat rate as regular wages. At the federal level, overtime is also taxed as ordinary income. Illinois follows federal FLSA requirements, which mandate 1.5x pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
Why is my Illinois paycheck smaller than in Florida or Texas?
Florida and Texas have no state income tax, so those workers skip the 4.95% Illinois deduction entirely. On a $65,000 salary, Illinois state tax alone costs approximately $3,090 per year compared to $0 in no-income-tax states. However, Illinois workers benefit from no city income tax β Chicago residents pay less total state-and-local income tax than workers in New York City, Philadelphia, or Washington D.C.
How accurate is this Illinois paycheck calculator?
This tool uses current IRS federal brackets, Illinois’s official 4.95% flat rate with the $2,425 personal exemption, and current FICA rates to produce a reliable estimate. Actual withholding may vary slightly based on your W-4 elections, exact pay period schedule, and employer benefit deductions. Consult a licensed Illinois tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Related Paycheck Calculators
Compare Illinois take-home pay with other states, or return to the full calculator hub:
This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only, using current IRS federal tax brackets, Illinois’s 4.95% flat state income tax, and current FICA rates. It does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Illinois personal exemption amounts and rates are subject to legislative change. Consult a licensed Illinois tax professional or payroll specialist for advice specific to your situation.
