For Cook County transactions, you will be able to use either EZ Dec or current, paper-based transfer-tax declaration forms.

For transactions outside Cook County, the IL-PTAX 203 declaration forms will be used for the indefinite future.

Note that municipal transfer tax declaration forms (except in the City of Chicago) do not change with EZ Dec.

You cannot affix a stamp from a meter machine to a deed IF the transfer declaration was created using the EZ Dec application. You must affix a stamp generated from the EZ Dec application to a deed if the declaration was created using the EZ Dec application. Likewise, you cannot affix an EZ Dec stamp to a deed if a paper declaration was completed for the transfer of property.

If you are not purchasing a stamp at a Title Company, then see below for where you can purchase stamps.

Chicago Transfer Tax stamps (both EZ Dec stamps and paper stamps) can be purchased from Chicago City Hall (Room 107) after a declaration has been reviewed and approved.

Cook County/Illinois Transfer Tax stamps (both EZ Dec stamps and paper stamps) can be purchased from Cook County Recorders' offices after a declaration has been reviewed and approved.

Yes, all exempt transfers are required to have a $0.00 stamp issued by the City of Chicago. 

Yes, water and sewer charge full payment certification is required for all real property transfers.  The full payment certificate can be obtained at:

City of Chicago
Department of Finance
333 S. State Street, Suite 330
Chicago, IL 60604

As a rule, if paper declarations would be required for City of Chicago, Cook County and/or State of Illinois, an EZ Dec declaration should be filed.

If you are not sure whether a real property transfer tax declaration is required, please refer to current ordinances.  

For transactions that do not include a paper deed, please use the IL-PTAX-203 NR to affix EZ Dec transfer tax stamps.

EZ Dec is a web-based program that can be accessed from any public computer.

Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software download, is required to view and print EZ Dec stamps.  Acrobat Reader can be downloaded here.

Adobe Flash Player, a free software download, is required to view the EZ Dec training modules.  Flash Player can be downloaded here.

Following are descriptions of key items that may apply to this sale.

Fulfillment of installment contract — The installment contract for deed is initiated in a calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the deed is recorded. Write the year the contract was initiated between the seller and buyer.

Do not select this item if the installment contract for deed was initiated and the property was transferred within the same calendar year.

Transfer of less than 100 percent interest — The seller transfers a portion of the total interest in the property. Other owners will keep an interest in the property. Do not consider severed mineral rights when answering this question.

Court-ordered sale — The property’s sale was ordered by court (e.g., bankruptcy, foreclosure, probate).

Seller/buyer is a financial institution — “Financial institution” includes a bank, savings and loan, credit union, Resolution Trust Company, and any entity with “mortgage company” or "mortgage corporation” as part of the business name.

Buyer is exercising an option to purchase — The sale price was predicated upon the exercise of an option to purchase at a predetermined price.

Trade of property (simultaneous) — Buyer trades or exchanges with the seller one or more items of real estate for part or all of the full actual consideration (sale price).

Other — Explain any special facts or circumstances involving this transaction that may have affected the sale price or sale agreement or forced the sale of the property. This includes property that is subject to an existing lease or property that is part of an IRC 1031 Exchange.

Homestead exemptions on most recent tax bill — Write the dollar amount for any homestead exemption reflected on the most recent annual tax bill. If any calculations do not apply, please enter 'zero'.

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