Illinois Vehicle Sales Tax: Deduction Cap on Vehicle Trade-Ins

When the final results are in, car dealerships in Illinois likely noticed a spike in revenue during December 2019 by customers looking to avoid increased Illinois sales tax. This increase is a result of a new Illinois sales tax law that is set to go into effect January 1, 2020. The tax law that was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 28 ^th caps the sales tax deduction on the trade-in value of vehicles. Previously, Illinois had no cap on the sales tax deduction allowable on vehicles that are traded in as a part of the purchase of a new vehicle. State officials estimate that the change in Illinois tax law will generate roughly $60 million in additional revenue on an annual basis. Proceeds will go to funding roads and vertical infrastructure projects under the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan.

Here a comparison that illustrates the difference between trading in a vehicle prior to and after January 1, 2020. Let’s say the vehicle you plan to trade-in has a value of $15,000 and the sticker price on the new vehicle you are purchasing is $35,000. Quick math tell you that you would owe the dealership the difference of $20,000. Under the old Illinois sales tax law, you would pay sales tax on the difference between the trade-in and new vehicle price – in this example $20,000. Beginning January 1, 2020 a maximum of $10,000 of the trade-in value of the old vehicle is exempt from Illinois sales tax. Therefore, sales tax is owed on $25,000 instead. With the average Illinois sales tax rate being approximately 8.75%, this change could mean thousands of dollars in additional sales taxes being owed on the purchase of a new vehicle.