CPA Guide
Top CPA Firms in Illinois
Find trusted, highly-rated Certified Public Accountants across Illinois. Independently reviewed and ranked by our editorial team.
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CPA Services in Illinois
Illinois faces significant fiscal challenges, with high property taxes, a flat income tax rate of 4.95%, and one of the nation’s largest pension funding gaps — all of which create a complex planning environment for residents and businesses. Chicago’s status as a major financial, legal, and commercial center means Illinois CPAs serve some of the most sophisticated clients in the Midwest.
The state’s combined state and local tax burden is among the highest nationally, making strategic tax planning essential for business owners and high earners. Illinois CPAs are expert in multi-state tax issues, the complex interplay of city, county, and state taxes in the Chicago metro area, and estate planning for high-net-worth families.
Top 6 CPA Firms in Illinois
Ranked by our editorial scoring system based on verified ratings and review volume
#1
Total Income Tax
★★★★★ (769 reviews)
📍 1425 W Forrest Hill Ave, Peoria, IL 61604
📞 (309) 655-1040
AccountantTax PreparationBookkeepingPayroll
#2
Zhou Agency
★★★★☆ (315 reviews)
📍 625 N Michigan Ave Ste 1705, Chicago, IL 60611
📞 (312) 808-8899
AccountingCertified Public AccountantFinancial PlannerInsurance Broker
#3
Ochoa Taxes CPA (Aurora)
★★★★☆ (295 reviews)
📍 835 E Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL 60505
📞 (630) 473-0325
Certified Public AccountantAccountantTax ConsultantTax Preparation
#4
Progressive Tax and Accounting
★★★★★ (188 reviews)
📍 1256 W Jefferson St SUITE 207, Joliet, IL 60435
📞 (773) 360-8230
AccountingBookkeepingPayrollTax Preparation
#5
Chawla & Associates, CPAs
★★★★☆ (197 reviews)
📍 2752 Forgue Dr Suite 100-B, Naperville, IL 60564
📞 (630) 922-8600
Certified Public AccountantAccountantTax Preparation
#6
Stenger Tax Advisory | Naperville Accountant
★★★★★ (106 reviews)
📍 400 E Diehl Rd Suite 550-C, Naperville, IL 60563
📞 (630) 912-8504
Certified Public AccountantAccountingAccountantTax Preparation
🏆 How We Selected These Firms
Our editorial team evaluates CPA firms across Illinois using a proprietary scoring model that considers:
✓ Google rating — only firms with 4.0 stars or higher are eligible
✓ Review volume — scored using a logarithmic formula to reward genuine review depth
✓ Verified address — firms must have a confirmed physical location
✓ No paid placements — rankings are editorial only, never paid
Last updated: 2025 | Data sourced from verified public business listings
Illinois CPA & Tax FAQ
Q: What is Illinois’s income tax rate?
Illinois has a flat individual income tax rate of 4.95%, and a corporate income tax rate of 9.5% (including the personal property replacement tax). Illinois voters rejected a proposed graduated income tax in 2020, keeping the flat structure. Illinois also has some of the highest local property taxes in the nation.
Q: How do Chicago and Illinois local taxes affect my bottom line?
Chicago imposes various city-specific taxes including the Chicago Business Tax and utility taxes, on top of Illinois state taxes. Cook County and other Illinois counties impose their own substantial property taxes. The combined federal, state, and local tax burden for Chicago residents and businesses is among the highest in the nation.
Q: Does Illinois have an estate tax?
Yes, Illinois is one of twelve states with its own estate tax, with an exemption of only $4 million per person (versus $13.61 million federally). The Illinois estate tax rate reaches up to 16%. This means estates over $4 million face Illinois estate tax even if below the federal threshold, making estate planning especially important for Illinois residents.
Q: How does Illinois tax retirement income?
Illinois has very favorable treatment of retirement income — it exempts from state income tax all qualifying pension and retirement income, including Social Security, government pensions, 401(k) and IRA distributions, and most private pension income. This makes Illinois much more tax-friendly for retirees than its flat rate might suggest.
Q: What should I know about Illinois pass-through entity tax?
Illinois offers a pass-through entity tax (PET) election that allows partnerships and S corporations to pay Illinois income tax at the entity level. This can help partners and shareholders effectively deduct state taxes at the federal level, working around the $10,000 SALT deduction cap. The election is beneficial for many Illinois business owners, but the calculation requires careful analysis.
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