IDOR announces 2025 Illinois Tax Amnesty Program opportunity

CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Revenue is urging people and businesses to take advantage of this year’s tax amnesty program across the state.

The IDOR said the 2025 Illinois Tax Amnesty Program is a unique opportunity for residents and businesses to settle any outstanding state tax liabilities without having to pay penalties or interest. This program, authorized by the Illinois Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act, allows taxpayers to pay eligible past-due tax liabilities and have penalties and interest forgiven on taxes paid in full during this amnesty period.

In this program, eligible liabilities are taxes due from periods ending after June 30, 2018, and before July 1, 2024. Taxpayers are required to make their full payments between Oct. 1-Nov. 17, 2025.

Illinois offered similar tax amnesty programs in the past. This includes in 2003, 2010, and most recently in 2019 after receiving approval from the state legislature. During the 2019 initiative, the state was able to recoup almost $360 million for both state and local coffers.

For this program, any taxpayer who failed to file a tax return or incorrectly reported the liability due on a previously filed return for these tax periods is able to file returns, make corrections and pay the taxes. They must file an original return for non-filed periods or file an amended return to make corrections.

Additionally, eligible outstanding taxes must be paid in full during the amnesty window to qualify. Payments can be made online at mytaxillinois.gov by using a checking or savings account, by mail or in person through IDOR.

“We encourage taxpayers to make separate payments for each tax liability being paid, but if they choose to make one combined payment, they must clearly identify each tax liability being paid by tax type, tax period, and amount, so their payments can be applied correctly,” said Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris.

The full, detailed information on the 2025 Illinois Tax Amnesty Program can be found here. Help can also be provided to taxpayers by calling IDOR’s Taxpayer Assistance Division at 1-800-732-8866 or over email. Over-the-phone translation services are also available.