Situation calculators
Estimate what it costs to redeem property taxes that were sold at an Illinois tax sale, including the penalty, subsequent taxes, and fees, before a tax deed can be issued. This is a planning tool, not legal advice, and the County Clerk issues the binding figure.
A calculator is a starting point. Get a full picture with a direct review of payoff, taxes, title, condition, and timing.
Enter the figures from your notice or the County Clerk. The penalty percent per period and the number of periods come from the tax sale and how much time has passed.
Reviewed and updated June 2026
When property taxes are sold at an Illinois tax sale, the owner can redeem within a set period by paying the sold taxes plus a penalty, the buyer's later taxes with interest, and fees. Missing the redemption deadline can lead to a tax deed and loss of the property. Move quickly and confirm the exact figure with the County Clerk.
The estimated amount to redeem is what an owner pays to clear a sold tax and stop a tax deed, and it grows over time by statute.
At an Illinois tax sale a buyer pays the delinquent taxes and receives a certificate, not the property. The owner keeps the right to redeem for a set period by paying the amount the buyer paid plus a statutory penalty that accrues in steps, usually every six months, along with any later taxes the buyer paid and the related interest and fees.
If the owner does not redeem in time, the buyer can petition for a tax deed and take title. Because the penalty rate, the periods, and the fees are specific to each sale and change over time, the County Clerk prepares an official Estimate of Redemption that is the binding number. Use this tool to plan and to decide whether to redeem, refinance, or sell before the deadline.
Redeeming means paying off the taxes that were sold at a tax sale, plus the statutory penalty, the buyer's later taxes with interest, and fees, so the tax buyer cannot take your property with a tax deed. You keep your home by redeeming before the deadline.
It is the taxes sold at the sale, plus a penalty that accrues in steps over time at a percentage set at the sale, plus any subsequent taxes the buyer paid with interest, plus clerk and other fees. The County Clerk certifies the exact figure in an Estimate of Redemption.
If the redemption period expires without payment, the tax buyer can petition the court for a tax deed and take title to the property. Deadlines are strict, so act early and confirm the date with the County Clerk.
No. It is a planning estimate. The binding number is the County Clerk Estimate of Redemption, which reflects the exact penalty, periods, subsequent taxes, and fees for your parcel. This tool is not legal advice.
When taxes go unpaid, the tax is sold at a county tax sale to a buyer who pays them. The owner can redeem by paying the sold amount plus a statutory penalty, any later taxes the buyer paid with interest, and certified fees, within a redemption period set by statute.
If the redemption period expires without payment, the tax buyer can petition the court for a tax deed and take title to the property. Because the deadline and the certified amount are strict, an owner should request the official Estimate of Redemption from the County Clerk and act well before it expires.
This calculator is general information for Chicago-area owners, buyers, and investors. It is not legal, tax, lending, appraisal, or brokerage advice, and rates or rules can change. Verify figures with the appropriate professionals before money moves or documents are signed. Illinois tax redemption amounts are governed by statute and certified by the County Clerk. Confirm the binding figure and deadline with the County Clerk before relying on any estimate.