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FinancingIllinois_closing_practice_prorations_and_transfer_stampsMEDIUM

A seller in Chicago believes that paying the Chicago real property transfer tax satisfies all transfer tax obligations on the transaction and that no Illinois state transfer tax is separately owed. Which statement is correct?

Correct Answer

C) The seller is incorrect; the Chicago transfer tax and the Illinois state transfer tax are independent obligations that can both apply to the same transaction.

Illinois imposes a state real estate transfer tax under 35 ILCS 200/31-1 et seq. at a rate of $0.50 per $500 of consideration. Chicago separately imposes its own municipal transfer tax under Chicago Municipal Code § 3-33, currently at $3.75 per $500 (with an additional buyer's tax). These are entirely independent tax obligations — payment of the city tax does not satisfy or offset the state tax. Both can apply to the same deed, making the seller's assumption incorrect.

Answer Options
A
The seller is correct; municipalities that impose their own transfer tax are exempt from collecting the Illinois state transfer tax on the same deed.
B
The seller is correct only if the property is classified as residential; commercial properties remain subject to the state tax regardless of city tax paid.
C
The seller is incorrect; the Chicago transfer tax and the Illinois state transfer tax are independent obligations that can both apply to the same transaction.
D
The seller is incorrect only if the deed is recorded outside Cook County; deeds recorded within Cook County are subject solely to the city tax.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

chicagoclosing_procedures_ildifficulty_3illinois_closing_practice_prorations_and_transfer_stampsillinois_statescenariostackingtransfer_tax

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