Tax information

A significant percentage of the Village's revenue is in the form of taxes including:

• Property Tax
• Sales Tax
• Real Estate Transfer Tax
• Places for Eating Tax
• Utility Tax
• Income Tax

Property Tax

The Village finances between 23% and 27% of its operations through property taxes and is continually striving to diversify its revenue base in order to reduce reliance on the property tax. The Village's portion of the property tax reflects 12.25% of the total tax bill. 

See the most recent property tax distribution for your property on the GIS map portal.

Sales Tax

Sales tax for general merchandise in River Forest is 10.00%. (The sales tax for Food and Drugs is 2.25%.) The sales tax is comprised of four separate taxing authorities as noted below:

Real Estate Transfer Tax 

When a real estate property is sold in River Forest, a tax equal to $1.00 for every $1,000 (or fraction thereof) of consideration must be paid. This is the responsibility of the property seller. See transfer tax details and forms.

Places for Eating Tax

The Places for Eating tax (see details and forms) is levied on the gross receipts received for prepared food sold at retail. The amount of the tax is 1% and is placed on the owners of places for eating, who can pass the tax along to consumers.

Utility Tax

The utility tax includes the following:

• Simplified Telecommunications Tax- 6%
• Natural Gas Tax- 5% of amount billed
• Electric Use Tax- Varied based on kilowatt hours

Income Tax

A portion of the State of Illinois income tax is distributed to municipalities on a per capita basis.

Local Motor Fuel Tax

A local motor fuel tax of three cents ($.03) per gallon is levied on all persons engaged in the business of selling motor fuel at retail within the Village of River Forest for the purpose of use or consumption and not for the purpose of resale. This tax can be passed along to consumers.