Illinois paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | A flat 4.95% of net income |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A personal exemption of $2,925 (single) or $5,850 (joint) |
| State payroll taxes | None paid by employees |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 8.98% average combined rate — Illinois sales tax calculator |
How Illinois taxes your paycheck
A flat 4.95% of net income. The calculation starts from federal adjusted gross income with Illinois modifications, and filers get a personal exemption of $2,925 (single) or $5,850 (joint). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Illinois return.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Illinois
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Illinois income tax | −$118.18 | −$3,072.71 |
| Take-home pay | $1,974.41 | $51,334.79 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Illinois: $65,000 − $2,925 personal exemption = $62,075 taxable; the brackets give $3,072.71 (4.73% of pay).
All taxes together take 21% of gross pay, leaving $51,334.79.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Illinois
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | IL income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,485 | $1,249.41 | $1,835 | 18.8% | $34,470 |
| $50,000 | $40,025 | $1,539.41 | $2,330 | 20% | $42,210 |
| $65,000 | $51,335 | $1,974.41 | $3,073 | 21% | $53,660 |
| $80,000 | $61,295 | $2,357.49 | $3,815 | 23.4% | $64,970 |
| $100,000 | $74,375 | $2,860.57 | $4,805 | 25.6% | $80,050 |
| $150,000 | $106,511 | $4,096.57 | $7,280 | 29% | $116,050 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Illinois compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Illinois ranks 43 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky and Wisconsin would leave you more each year.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $3,073 | $0 | $51,335 | — |
| Wisconsin | $2,350 | $0 | $52,058 | +$723 |
| Iowa | $1,818 | $0 | $52,589 | +$1,255 |
| Missouri | $2,078 | $0 | $52,329 | +$995 |
| Kentucky | $2,157 | $0 | $52,250 | +$915 |
| Indiana | $1,888 | $0 | $52,520 | +$1,185 |
Good to know about Illinois paychecks
- The Illinois Constitution requires a flat income tax, which is why the state uses a single 4.95% rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Illinois?
About $51,335 a year, or $1,974.41 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare and $3,073 of Illinois income tax. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $53,660.
Does Illinois have a state income tax?
Yes. A flat 4.95% of net income. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $3,073 a year, 4.73% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Illinois?
Nothing else statewide: Illinois has no employee-paid disability, paid-leave or unemployment payroll tax, so the other deductions are federal taxes and whatever you elect, such as retirement savings or health premiums.
Do cities or counties in Illinois tax wages?
No. Local governments in Illinois do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in Illinois or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Illinois ranks 43 of 51 for take-home pay at $51,335. Iowa ($52,589), Indiana ($52,520) and Missouri ($52,329) leave more.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Illinois withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Illinois income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.