Articles

Plain-English guides for Illinois car buyers.

• Chicago Used Car Tax 2026: Sales Tax, Title, and Registration Costs

  Dealer sales are taxed at 10.5% in Chicago; private-party sales use a flat state table instead. Both, with the actual numbers.

  Updated Sep 28, 2026 · 7 min read

• Illinois Doc Fee 2026: The $377.63 Cap, Explained

  The legal maximum, the statute behind it, and why you pay sales tax on the fee itself.

  Updated Sep 28, 2026 · 6 min read

• Car Loan Interest Deduction: Who Qualifies and What It's Worth

  Deduct up to $10,000 a year in interest on a new, U.S.-assembled car. Eligibility, income limits and a worked example.

  Updated Sep 25, 2026 · 9 min read

• What to Bring to a Car Dealership: Documents Checklist

  ID, insurance, payment, plus what financing and trade-ins add. Printable PDF included.

  Updated Sep 25, 2026 · 6 min read

• ERT Fee in Illinois: What It Is, What It Costs, and If It's Optional

  What the Electronic Registration and Title fee covers and whether you should pay it.

  Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read

• How Much Money to Put Down on a Car?

  Pay cash or finance and invest the difference? A framework, a worked example, and the caveats.

  Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 6 min read

• Car Shopping Should Be Exciting. Here's Why It's Not.

  Why buying a car feels like a minefield, and how preparing makes it easier for you and the dealer.

  Updated Jul 22, 2026 · 5 min read