Real Estate Transfer Tax Description

• When a property is sold in Chicago Heights, the seller is responsible for paying the Real Estate Transfer Tax. 
• Before the tax is paid, an appointment must be made with the Building Code Enforcement Department (708-756-5328) and the Water Billing Department (708-756-5344) for a final inspection and a final water meter reading. 
• Transfer tax payments are made in the City Clerk’s Office, and must be accompanied with a copy of the new deed to be recorded and a completed transfer tax application.
• The real estate transfer tax is based on four dollars ($4.00) for every one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of sale price as stated on the transfer tax application.  

Acceptable forms of payment are:  

• Cash
• Money Order
• Debit Card, Credit Card, i.e., Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express     
  
• Cashier's Check, Certified Check, or Business Check, such as an attorney or title.
• NO personal checks accepted.

See “Application & Instructions” link below for further details. 

Chapter 39, Taxation, Article VII, in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Chicago Heights is available on-line at:  https://library.municode.com/il/chicago_heights

Revised 3/4/2022