Illinois State Income Tax Revenue & Refunds

Illinois residents, partial-year residents, and nonresidents who earn income in the state have to file IL taxes. The IL income tax rate is a flat 4.95%, which is near the national average. Total individual income tax revenue recently exceeded $32.9 billion, while overall state tax revenue surpassed $54 billion. This is considerably higher than the nation's median range.

Filing An Amended Tax Return

If an error is made and discovered on a tax form, it is important to file an amended return. Use Form IL-1040X instead of IL-1040 to file an amendment. When finished, mail the form and any required payment to Illinois Department of Revenue at:

Requesting A Tax Extension

Taxpayers requesting a tax extension should send a copy of their IRS tax extension along with their tax forms to either of the applicable addresses in the first paragraph of this guide.

Where To Send Illinois Tax Returns & Payments

When mailing tax forms with payments, send them to:

Taxpayers expecting refunds should also mail returns to the DOR but to the following address instead:

Track A Tax Return Or Refund

To track a state tax refund, visit tax.illinois.gov. Click the "My Refund" link under the box labeled "Individuals." For other questions about tax refunds and returns or amended returns, call 800-732-8866.

Form for Estimated Tax Payments

Taxpayers who are required to make estimated quarterly payments must use Form IL-1040ES and mail it to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Failure to make timely tax payments can results in two different tiers of penalties. The first applies to people who file late or file without paying the tax they owe. The initial penalty amount is the lesser of 2% of the amount owed or $250. The Department of Revenue then sends a notice of nonpayment. If IL taxes are not paid or the return is not filed within 30 days of receiving a notice, an additional fee of the lesser of 2% of the amount due or $250 is added to the initial penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois tax Social Security benefits?
No, Illinois fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax.

Does Illinois tax retirement income?
No, most retirement income, including pensions, 401(k) distributions, and IRA withdrawals, is exempt from state taxes.

Do I need to file an Illinois return if I live in Wisconsin but work in Illinois?
Generally, no, due to reciprocal agreements between the states. You typically only pay income tax to your state of residence.

When are Illinois state taxes due?
Illinois state income taxes are due on April 15, the same deadline as federal taxes.

Does Illinois have high property taxes?
Yes, the state has the second-highest property tax rate in the nation at 1.95% of assessed value.

Note: States & U.S. territories may make changes to their tax laws with little notice. We do our best to keep this information up-to-date, but it is provided on an "AS IS" basis. For more see our terms.