Joliet is the Will County seat and one of the largest cities in Illinois, with roughly 150,000 residents. It levies city-level business taxes on fuel, hotel stays and admissions, among others, and it has a large transportation and warehouse workforce. This page covers those local taxes, the Will and Kendall County property tax systems and how a Naperville CPA firm can help.
City taxes that business owners should know
The City of Joliet administers several taxes that businesses file and pay to the City, generally by the last day of the month after collection, through its online tax portal. The City's pages list:
| Tax | As described by the City |
|---|---|
| Food and beverage | 1 percent of the purchase price of prepared food or alcohol |
| Hotel and motel | 10 percent of gross rental charges |
| Motor fuel | 11 cents per gallon of diesel, 5 cents per gallon of other fuel |
| Titled or registered property | $7.50 per item bought at retail |
| Amusement | $1.00 per person admitted to qualifying amusements |
Joliet also has a home rule sales tax collected by the State. The City's rate page notes that the sales tax paid inside Joliet differs depending on whether the sale takes place in the Will County or Kendall County part of the city. The State's own rate on general merchandise is 6.25 percent. Use the Tax Rate Finder on MyTax Illinois for a specific address and period. Our sales and use tax service helps owners who collect and remit.
Trucking, warehouse and fuel businesses
Transportation, warehousing and utilities employs about 13 percent of working residents, and the City lists a warehouse licensing process on its business services page. Owner-operators and small fleets face a specific set of tax issues: per diem and vehicle deductions, estimated taxes and fuel taxes. See truckers and transportation and vehicle and mileage deductions. Fuel sellers, convenience stores and gas stations should read convenience stores, gas stations and motels, because the City's fuel and hotel taxes apply to those businesses. If you hire drivers, review employee versus independent contractor before classifying anyone.
Property tax in Will and Kendall counties
Most Joliet addresses are billed by Will County, whose Treasurer lists a yearly calendar. For the 2025 taxes, bills were mailed May 1, 2026, with installments due June 1 and September 1, and Illinois law sets monthly interest on late installments. The Will County Board of Review, which meets in Joliet, decides assessment complaints after your township assessor reviews the value. Part of Joliet is in Kendall County, which issues a single bill payable in two installments. An assessment appeal challenges the assessed value, not the tax rate. See our Will County and Kendall County pages.
Who lives and works here
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2020-2024 five-year estimates) counts about 150,400 residents. Median household income is about $92,000, about 74 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied and about 26 percent of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 16 percent of residents were born outside the United States. Education and health care, retail, transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing are the largest employment groups, and only about 9 percent work from home, one of the lowest shares among the places we cover. About 7 percent are self-employed.
How we can help
We help Joliet owner-operators, small fleets and warehouse employers with per diem, vehicle and fuel records, payroll and driver classification, and we help fuel sellers and hotels keep City tax filings current. We also review IRS notices. Start from the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Joliet charge a hotel tax?
According to the City, yes: 10 percent of the gross rental charge, filed by the business, with quarterly periods.
Which county do I pay property tax to in Joliet?
The county named on your bill, most often Will, with some parcels in Kendall.
Is there a Joliet city income tax?
No. Joliet's taxes apply to fuel, hotels, food, admissions and similar items; income is taxed only at the state's flat 4.95 percent. See our Illinois guide.
Official sources
- City of Joliet: Collection of city taxes
- City of Joliet: Joliet sales tax rates
- Will County Treasurer: Tax levy calendar
- Will County Board of Review
- U.S. Census Bureau: Joliet city, Illinois (American Community Survey 2020-2024)
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.
General information only, not tax, legal or accounting advice for your situation. Rules, limits and deadlines change; confirm the current rules with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship with CPA Tax Payroll and Accounting Corp.