Free Illinois Car Bill of Sale
Illinois is unusual — private-party vehicle tax (RUT-50) is NOT a percentage. It's a flat-dollar schedule set by model year when the price is under $15,000 (by price at $15,000 or more), ranging from $465 (1 year old or newer) to $100 (11+ years old). The Illinois Secretary of State (not a DMV) handles title transfers via Form VSD 190, and Chicago and Cook County residents pay a flat local use tax on top.
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Illinois Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Illinois charges a private-party vehicle use tax (RUT-50) set by model year when the price is under $15,000, or by price at $15,000 or more — NOT a straight percentage. Under $15,000, a car 1 year old or newer owes $465, and the amount drops with age to $100 for cars 11 or more years old (2026 table). Chicago and Cook County add their own flat private-party use tax on top (Cook County $90–$225 and Chicago $0–$80, by vehicle age).
Inspection Requirements
Most Illinois counties exempt from emissions testing. Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties and parts of Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties require biennial emissions tests. No statewide safety inspection.
Illinois Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify current Illinois emissions certificate if in the emissions-test area (Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties and parts of Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties).
- Complete bill of sale with VIN, odometer, sale price, and signatures.
- Seller completes odometer disclosure on title.
- Seller signs Illinois title over to buyer.
- Seller removes license plates (Illinois is a "plates to owner" state — you keep them).
- Buyer completes Form VSD 190 (Application for Vehicle Transaction).
- Buyer mails VSD 190 + RUT-50 (private party tax) + title + $165 title fee + registration to Illinois SOS, OR visits an SOS facility.
- Buyer pays RUT-50 tax: $100–$465 by model year if the price is under $15,000 (more at $15,000 and up), plus Chicago/Cook local tax if applicable.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming tax is 6.25% — it's not for private party sales. RUT-50 is age-based and often much lower than a percentage tax, especially for older cars.
- Leaving plates on the sold car — Illinois plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle.
- Missing emissions in Cook/collar counties — biennial testing is required before the plates can be renewed.
- Missing RUT-50 on a gift transfer — even gifted vehicles need RUT-50 (check its instructions for how gifts are treated).
Pro Tip
Illinois is a "plates to owner" state with age-based tax, not percentage tax. Know your RUT-50 tax bracket, remove your plates, handle emissions if in the emissions-test area, and file VSD 190. Chicago and Cook County residents factor in local add-on taxes.