Will County Sales Tax Rate and What It Covers

Will County, Illinois charges a combined sales tax of 6.25 percent on most purchases. This rate is made up of the state sales tax (6.25 percent) plus any local additions that explore in your specific municipality within the county. The actual total you pay depends on which city or village you are in—some areas add their own local tax on top of the state rate, while others do not.

The 6.25 percent state rate applies to tangible goods: clothing, groceries, household items, electronics, and most other physical products you can touch and take home. Services like haircuts, repairs, and professional fees are generally not taxed at the point of sale in Illinois, though there are exceptions for things like telecommunications and certain digital services.

Food for home consumption—items you buy at a grocery store to cook yourself—is exempt from sales tax in Illinois. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed. Medicine and medical devices also have different rules depending on whether they are over-the-counter or prescription items.

Key Takeaways

  • Will County's base sales tax is 6.25 percent, but your total rate depends on which city or village you live or shop in, as some add local taxes on top.
  • Groceries for home cooking are not taxed, but restaurant meals and prepared foods are subject to the full sales tax rate.
  • You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Illinois Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer in your area.
  • Sales tax is collected by the retailer at checkout and sent to the state and local governments, not directly by you.

Local Tax Additions in Will County Cities

Several municipalities in Will County add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate. For example, Joliet, the largest city in the county, adds a local tax that brings the total rate higher than 6.25 percent. Smaller towns like Bolingbrook, New Lenox, and Plainfield each have their own local rates as well.

The local portion goes to fund city services like police, fire, roads, and public facilities. Because each municipality sets its own rate, you may pay a different total tax in one town than in another just a few miles away. If you shop near a border, the rate can change depending on which side of the line the store is located on.

To find your exact rate, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue website and use their sales tax rate lookup tool. You can enter your address or ZIP code and see the combined state and local rate for your location. Retailers in your area can also tell you the rate that applies to their store.

What Happens to Sales Tax Revenue

The state portion of the sales tax (6.25 percent) goes into the Illinois state budget and funds state programs, infrastructure, and government operations. The local portion collected in your city or village stays with that municipality and is used for local services and projects.

Will County itself does not collect a separate county sales tax—the tax is split between the state and individual cities and villages. This means the money you pay in sales tax in Joliet goes to Joliet and the state, not to Will County government. Each municipality decides how to spend its share based on local needs and priorities.

Sales Tax on Online and Out-of-State Purchases

Illinois requires sales tax to be collected on most online purchases, even when you buy from an out-of-state retailer. Large online sellers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target now collect Illinois sales tax at checkout based on your delivery address. The rate applied is the one for your location in Will County.

If you buy from a small out-of-state seller that does not collect sales tax, you are technically responsible for reporting and paying the tax yourself on your Illinois tax return. This is called "use tax" and it applies the same rate as sales tax would. In practice, most individuals do not report use tax, but the obligation exists under Illinois law.

Some items are exempt from sales tax even when bought online—groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical devices remain untaxed. The same rules that explore in a physical store explore to online purchases delivered to Will County.

Special Sales Tax Situations

Illinois offers a sales tax holiday in early August each year, usually lasting one week. During this period, clothing and school supplies under certain price limits are exempt from sales tax. The exact dates and item limits change each year, so check the Illinois Department of Revenue website in July to see if the holiday applies to your purchases.

Certain organizations and purchases are exempt from sales tax entirely. Non-profit organizations, government agencies, and religious institutions may not pay sales tax on purchases made for their operations. If you are buying on behalf of such an organization, you may be able to provide a resale certificate or exemption form to avoid the tax.

Senior citizens and people with disabilities do not receive an automatic sales tax exemption in Illinois, though some specific items (like mobility aids) may be exempt. Always ask a retailer if you are unsure whether a particular item is taxed.

How Sales Tax Affects Your Budget

Sales tax is added at the register, so the price on the shelf is not the final amount you pay. On a $100 purchase in an area with a 7 percent combined rate, you will pay $107 at checkout. This adds up quickly on large purchases like furniture, appliances, or vehicles.

When budgeting for major purchases, remember to factor in the sales tax. If you are buying a car in Will County, the sales tax applies to the purchase price and can amount to hundreds of dollars depending on the vehicle cost. Some people shop strategically across municipal lines to take advantage of lower rates in neighboring areas, though the difference is usually small.

Where to Find Your Exact Sales Tax Rate

The fastest way to find your exact rate is to visit the Illinois Department of Revenue website and use their sales tax rate lookup tool. Enter your street address, city, or ZIP code and the tool will show you the combined state and local rate that applies to your location.

You can also call your city or village clerk's office and ask what the local sales tax rate is. They can tell you the exact percentage and explain what local services it funds. Retailers in your area will also know the rate and can tell you when you ask at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Will County?

No. The state rate is 6.25 percent everywhere in Illinois, but each city and village in Will County can add its own local tax. Your total rate depends on which municipality you are shopping in. Use the Illinois Department of Revenue lookup tool to find your exact rate by address.

Are groceries taxed in Will County?

Groceries you buy at a store to cook at home are not taxed. Restaurant meals, prepared foods, and food you eat on premises are taxed at the full rate. This applies everywhere in Will County and across Illinois.

Do I have to pay sales tax on online purchases?

Yes, most online retailers now collect Illinois sales tax based on your delivery address. The rate applied is the one for your location in Will County. If a seller does not collect it, you are technically responsible for reporting it as use tax, though most individuals do not.

What is the sales tax on a car purchase in Will County?

The same sales tax rate that applies to other purchases applies to vehicles. In most Will County municipalities, this is 6.25 percent plus any local addition. On a $30,000 car, the tax could be $1,875 or more depending on your exact location. Ask the dealer what rate applies before you finalize the purchase.

When is the Illinois sales tax holiday?

Illinois holds a sales tax holiday in early August each year, usually lasting one week. Clothing and school supplies under certain price limits are exempt during this period. The exact dates and item limits change yearly, so check the Illinois Department of Revenue website in July for current details.