Lake Forest Sales Tax Calculator
The combined sales tax rate in Lake Forest, Illinois is 8.25% in 2026 — a 6.25% Illinois state rate plus 2% in local add-ons. That is the 30th lowest rate of the 122 Illinois cities we track, and it runs below Illinois's 8.92% average. On a $100 purchase that's $8.25 in tax for a $108.25 total.
$100.00 total
Before tax: $100.00 · Sales tax: $0.00 (0%)
State & average combined rates: Tax Foundation 2026. Local rates vary by city/county — adjust the rate for an exact figure. How we calculate →
Lake Forest sales tax rate in 2026
Lake Forest charges a combined sales tax rate of 8.25%: the Illinois statewide base of 6.25% plus 2% in city and county add-ons. Lake Forest is in Lake County.
That local add-on is set by Lake Forest and the taxing districts that overlap it, which is why neighboring cities in Illinois can charge a different total even a few miles apart.
Lake Forest vs the rest of Illinois
At 8.25%, Lake Forest runs below Illinois's 8.92% statewide average combined rate by 0.67%. Among the 122 Illinois cities we track by combined rate, Lake Forest ranks the 30th lowest.
That makes Lake Forest comparatively light on sales tax for Illinois, though it's still well above zero.
Sales tax examples in Lake Forest
At Lake Forest's 8.25% combined rate:
$100 → $8.25 tax, $108.25 total · $1,000 → $82.50 tax, $1,082.50 total · $25,000 car purchase → $2,063 tax, $27,063 total.
Working backwards: a $1,080.00 receipt total in Lake Forest means the pre-tax price was $997.69 and $82.31 was tax — use “Remove tax” mode above to reverse any total instantly.
A note on Lake Forest's exact rate
The 8.25% rate applies within Lake Forest's official city limits as published by Illinois DOR — Tax Rate Finder. Addresses with a Lake Forest mailing address but outside the incorporated city line — a common situation on the edges of any city — can fall under a different, usually lower, rate.
For an address-exact rate, use the official lookup tool: Illinois DOR — Tax Rate Finder. This calculator pre-fills the published city-limits rate as a reliable starting point.
Lake Forest sales tax — frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Lake Forest, Illinois?
Lake Forest's combined sales tax rate is 8.25% in 2026 — 6.25% Illinois state tax plus 2% in local add-ons. That's the 30th lowest rate of the 122 Illinois cities we track.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Lake Forest?
At Lake Forest's 8.25% rate, sales tax on a $100 purchase is $8.25, for a $108.25 total.
How much sales tax will I pay on a $25,000 car in Lake Forest?
At Lake Forest's 8.25% combined rate, sales tax on a $25,000 vehicle purchase is about $2,063, for a $27,063 total before any trade-in credit or registration fees.
Is Lake Forest's sales tax higher or lower than the Illinois average?
Lake Forest runs below Illinois's 8.92% statewide average by 0.67%, ranking the 30th lowest of the 122 Illinois cities we track.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards from a total in Lake Forest?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A $1,080.00 total in Lake Forest works back to a $997.69 pre-tax price and $82.31 of tax. Use “Remove tax” mode above to do this automatically.
Does Lake Forest's sales tax rate apply everywhere in the Lake Forest area?
The 8.25% rate applies within Lake Forest's official city limits. Nearby addresses outside the incorporated boundary can be taxed at a different rate — check Illinois DOR — Tax Rate Finder for an address-exact figure.
Compare nearby cities in Illinois
See all 122 Illinois cities ranked by combined sales tax rate, or compare:
Researched & verified by the Calcuris Data & Research Team. How we build and check our tools →