In short
Cook County (unincorporated) charges a local tax on a home sale: Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax. This rule covers a group of places, so the table below uses typical prices.
What you pay at different prices
| Price | Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax | Illinois state tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $150 | $300 | $450 |
| $500,000 | $250 | $500 | $750 |
| $1,000,000 | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| $2,000,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
Before exemptions and credits (first-time buyers, transfers between relatives…), which are listed below when the source gives them. The tax due on your deed is the one the recorder computes.
The rates, tax by tax
Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax
$0.25 per $500 of transfer price (0.05%).
Who pays: SELLER (Cook County Clerk list)
In force: Enacted 1/1/1968 per Clerk list. Source: Cook County Clerk, Transfer Tax by Municipality - City or Village (updated October 2025).
Questions
Who pays the Cook County Real Property Transfer Tax in Cook County (unincorporated)?
SELLER (Cook County Clerk list)
Is the local tax on top of the Illinois tax?
Yes. The local taxes listed here are added to the Illinois state transfer tax.
General information drawn from the official sources cited and dated on this page. It is not legal, tax or financial advice: for your own situation, ask a licensed professional.