Payroll Services in Illinois: Costs, Taxes and Best Providers (2026)
Payroll services for a Illinois business cost $44 to $130 per month for 1 to 10 employees at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, and every major provider files Illinois payroll taxes. Illinois has state income tax and no local payroll taxes, so entry-tier plans from any provider work.
Prices verified November 2026
What Illinois employers must handle
Illinois has a flat state income tax, Chicago and Cook County ordinances on scheduling and paid leave, and a statewide paid-leave law that most providers now track.
| State income tax withholding | Yes |
| Local or special payroll taxes | None statewide |
| State unemployment insurance (SUTA) | Yes — every state; rate assigned to your business annually |
| Federal (FICA, FUTA, income tax) | Yes — handled by every provider listed |
| Where to register | Illinois Department of Revenue |
Minimum wage, SUTA rates and new-hire reporting deadlines change; check Illinois Department of Revenue for current figures. Every provider on this page files Illinois payroll taxes.
Payroll prices for a Illinois business
| Provider (entry plan) | Base / mo | Per employee | 1 emp. | 5 emp. | 10 emp. | 25 emp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP — Essential (quote; est.) | $79 | $5 | $84* | $104* | $129* | $204* |
| Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted) | $39 | $5 | $44 | $64 | $89 | $164 |
| Gusto — Simple | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| OnPay — Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core) | $50 | $7 | $57 | $85 | $120 | $225 |
| Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted) | $40 | $8 | $48 | $80 | $120 | $240 |
* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.
Want Illinois providers to quote your real headcount? Providers quote below list for the right customer. Tell us your headcount and up to 4 of them compete. Free, about a minute.
Get my quotesBest payroll providers for Illinois employers
OnPay
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
Gusto
Teams under 50 who want to run payroll themselves in a few clicks and get benefits, 401(k) and HR tools without a sales call.
Paychex
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
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- Prices verified November 2026
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Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois have state income tax on wages?
Yes. Illinois employers withhold state income tax from employee pay and remit it to Illinois Department of Revenue.
What is the cheapest payroll service in Illinois?
OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5 but adds filing fees. Any entry-tier plan handles Illinois.
Do I need to register my business for payroll in Illinois?
Yes. Register with Illinois Department of Revenue and with the state unemployment agency before your first payroll. Your provider can file on your behalf but usually needs the account numbers from you.