Real Estate Transfer Tax

• Ordinance
• Statement of Open Accounts

Instructions 

When selling, changing, or transferring the ownership of a property within the city limits, please request a "Statement of Open Accounts" (SOA) at least 5 business daysprior to the closing. A "Statement of Open Accounts" must be obtained before a municipal real estate transfer tax stamp- including an exempt stamp- can be issued.

A staff member will contact you at the number you provided on the SOA when it is ready. 

When purchasing the stamp: we require a copy of the State of Illinois MyDec and the Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration forms along with your payment. Here is a link to obtain the MyDec https://tax.illinois.gov/localgovernments/property/mydec.html

If recording a Quit Claim deed (where there is no actual consideration) a copy of the deed and the declaration form are needed along with payment. There is a $30 exempt stamp fee.

The stamp may be picked up in person at City Hall, or you may mail the required forms, payment, and a self-addressed postage-paid envelope for us to return.

Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration Form(PDF, 69KB)

Click here(PDF, 69KB) to access the form. 

1. This form shall be filled out completely, signed by at least one of the grantors (sellers) or his/her agent, and presented to the office of the director of finance/city treasurer, by email at transferstamps@aurora.il.us or in person at 44 East Downer Place, Aurora, Illinois 60507-2067, or by a designated agent at the time of obtaining of real estate transfer stamps as required by the City of Aurora Municipal Code (Chapter 44 - Real Estate Transfer Tax). The stamp must be affixed to the deed when the title is recorded.

2. As required by section 44-214 of the City of Aurora municipal code, a copy of the State of Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration Form, signed by at least one of the grantors or his/her agent, must be submitted with this form when the city's real estate transfer tax is paid. In the case of an exempt transaction, a statement of the basis of said exemption is also required.

3. The City of Aurora Real Estate Transfer Tax is imposed on the full actual consideration (sale price) as is defined and set forth in the State of Illinois Real Estate Transfer Tax Law (35 ILCS 200/31).

4. Exempt transactions: City of Aurora Ordinance Number O06-50 requires that the seller or transferor of real property within the City of Aurora limits obtain a no-tax-due real estate transfer stamp from the City of Aurora and affix it to the transfer document when the property transfer is otherwise exempt from the City's Real Estate Transfer Tax. The county recorder will not record a deed arising out of an "exempt transaction" without a no-tax-due stamp being affixed. Exempt transactions include, but are not limited to, sales or transfers of title where there is consideration of less than $100, sales of property by government entities, and federally determined tax exempt organizations. The City Council of Aurora recently passed a resolution that establishes an administrative processing fee of thirty ($30.00) dollars for all "exempt" real estate transfer stamp transactions. This fee will take effect for all exempt transactions beginning November 1, 2017. To obtain an exempt stamp, a Statement of Open Accounts must first be completed. 

5. As specified in the aurora city code, the city will not issue a municipal real estate transfer tax stamp related to the sale or transfer of a property until all city accounts of the seller are paid in full. The types of accounts that must be settled include those pertaining to water and sewer service, building code fines, burglar alarm fees, fire alarm fees, housing rehabilitation loans, property maintenance invoices, and liens. The aurora city code further requires that the seller of a property contact the city no less than five days prior to the date of property transfer to request a final water reading. Sellers must contact the city's water billing division at 630-256-3600 to request a final water reading. When this is done, the city will begin the process of identifying any city accounts, other than the water and sewer service account, that must be paid before a municipal real estate transfer tax stamp can be issued. Upon request to the water billing division, the city will provide a "statement of open accounts" to the seller, his agent, or the title company involved in a property sale. The statement of open accounts will reflect all accounts of the seller with unpaid balances.

6. School developmental impact fees may apply to the sale of newly constructed residential property in aurora. If the sale price of the property changes after the time that a statement of open accounts is requested, the liability for any school developmental impact fee will also change. The correct fee must be fully paid when the real estate transfer tax stamp is purchased.