Illinois’ 1% sales tax on groceries will be suspended for the state’s fiscal year, from June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. This sales tax reprieve is predicted to net approximately $400 million in consumer savings.
State and county taxes are still in place, meaning that in the City of Chicago, the tax on groceries went from 2.25% down to 1.25%.
Interestingly, medical products and devices — which are usually taxed at the same low rate as groceries — will remain taxable at their usual rate instead of getting the additional 1% suspension.
For retailers, this means that all “grocery low-tax” departments will need to have the tax reduced in Point of Sale systems, but not in medical/drug departments or grocery high-tax (alcoholic beverages, food consisting of or infused with adult use cannabis, soft drinks, candy, and food that has been prepared for immediate consumption).
There are also signage requirements for retailers. Per the IDOR’s May bulletin:
Retailers, to the extent feasible, shall include the following statement on any cash register tape, receipt, invoice, or sales ticket issued to Retailers, to the extent feasible, shall include the following statement on any cash register tape, receipt, invoice, or sales ticket issued to customers: “From July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, the State of Illinois sales tax on groceries is 0%.” If it is not feasible for the retailer to include the statement on any cash register tape, receipt, invoice, or sales ticket issued to customers, then the retailer shall post the statement on a sign that is clearly visible to customers. The sign shall be no smaller than 4 inches by 8 inches. A printable sign will be available on our website at tax.illinois.gov.
In related tax news, the same state budget also provides automatic $50 income tax rebates for individuals who made less than $200,000 in 2021, $100 for couples filing jointly who made less than $400,000, and $100 per dependent claimed in 2021, up to three. Additionally, the Illinois state earned income credit will increase from 18% to 20% of the federal credit, and eligible homeowners will receive property tax rebates equal to their 2021 property tax credit, up to $300.
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