Taxes in DeKalb
DeKalb layers a real, elevated effective property tax rate on top of Illinois's simple flat 4.95% state income tax, with no DeKalb-specific local income tax.
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Learn moreA real, elevated effective property tax rate
DeKalb's own median effective property tax rate ran 2.44%-2.45% per Ownwell -- above Illinois's own already-high 1.88% Tax Foundation-cited statewide average, though below Cook County's real, disclosed 2.0%-2.7% practical range.
Illinois's flat state income tax, with no local layer
Illinois's real, simple flat 4.95% state income tax applies in DeKalb with no DeKalb-specific municipal or school-district income tax layered on top, unlike some other states this project has built.
A real, substantial retirement-income exemption
Illinois taxes none of a retiree's Social Security, pension, or 401(k)/IRA income -- a real, substantial statewide positive that applies equally to DeKalb retirees, per illinois.js.
Key takeaways
- DeKalb's effective property tax rate (2.44%-2.45%) runs above Illinois's own already-high statewide average.
- Illinois's flat 4.95% income tax applies with no DeKalb-specific local income tax layer.
- Illinois's real, substantial retirement-income tax exemption applies fully to DeKalb retirees.
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