New Illinois Tax: Paid parking lots must be licensed and pay tax –
Charge people to park on your property?
You must register with the State of Illinois by January 1, 2020, and you must pay an excise tax. Failure to do so is a Class A Misdemeanor.
The tax is 6% or 9% depending on how the parking space is rented.
Public Act 101-0031[2] (pdf of Parking Excise Tax Act[3]) and the Department of Revenue Informational Bulletin “explains” the new tax and registration process (pdf of IDOR Bulletin[4]). This was part of Senate Bill 690 (see who voted for it here[5]).
Press release:
Effective January 1, 2020, parking area operators will be required to register with the state of Illinois and begin collecting and remitting tax on the rental of parking spaces. The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) wants to ensure that parking area operators are aware of their responsibility to ensure compliance with the new registration and tax requirement. Qualified operators will be required to collect and remit the tax monthly to IDOR. (read the press release[6]).
“Those who operate parking lots or garages will need to make sure they are properly registered with the state by January 1st,” said acting Director David Harris. “Revenue from this new program will go to rebuilding our state’s infrastructure and building a stronger economy. It is this department’s duty to help achieve compliance, so all taxpayers are treated fairly and consistently.”
Parking area operators can include those who rent spaces for parking or storing vehicles or provide valet services for a fee. There are exemptions for parking areas owned and operated by government entities or by hospitals for employees, residential off-street parking that is part of a lease agreement, or those renting fewer than four spots.
Revenue from the new requirements will go to vertical projects, like universities, early childhood centers and state facilities as part of the state’s Rebuild Illinois Capital plan. The bipartisan plan will invest $45 billion in critical infrastructure projects all over the state and is projected to create 540,000 jobs over the life of the plan.