Q.      Does St. Charles have a real estate transfer tax?

St. Charles does not currently have a transfer tax on real estate transactions.

Q.      How can I obtain a copy of the City’s budget?

The budget is available for viewing on the City's website. Copies of the City’s budget are also available for viewing at the St. Charles Public Library and the Accounting Office of the Finance Department, City Hall, 2 E. Main Street.  Those who wish to request their own, paper copy of the City’s budget should contact the Finance Department at (630) 762-7002.  Due to the size and cost of producing the budget books, a fee of $20 will be charged for each printed book.

Q.      How can I obtain a copy of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)?

Copies of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report are available for viewing at the St. Charles Public Library and in the Accounting Office of the Finance Department, City Hall, 2 E. Main Street.  The complete CAFR is also posted on our website: FY 2009 CAFR.

Q.      How can I obtain a form for the City Hotel/Motel Tax and Admission Tax?

These forms are all available on the Applications and Forms page of the City’s web site.  Please call the Finance Department at (630) 377-4456 to request a form by mail or fax.

* The Food and Beverage Tax was repealed on July 1, 2006.

Q.      What is the sales tax rate in St. Charles and the breakdown?

The sales tax rate in St. Charles is 8.0%. Following is the breakdown:

Q.      How can I get a list of items being auctioned?

Once items for the auction are finalized, a listing will be posted on the City Auction page of the Finance Department web site.  A notice and link will also be included in the Newsflashes on the City’s home page.  Those without convenient Internet access may contact the City Auction hotline at (630) 762-7070 for additional information or to request a printed copy.

Q.      How can I get my company on the City’s vendor/bid list?

Q.      What projects is the City currently bidding?

Q.      When can I view the items to be auctioned?

Q.      What is the date of the annual City Auction?

Q.      How can I sign up for automatic payment of my utility bills?

Customers can sign up for automatic payment online or by mail.  If you would like to sign up online, please click here.  If you wish to mail in your application, you may print the form from our web site by clicking here or contact the Utility Billing office at (630) 377-4426 or utilitybilling@stcharlesil.gov.

Customers may make payments online , in person, through the mail , via our drop boxes , or over the phone at (630) 377-4426.

Q.      How can I find out information regarding the water quality in the City of St. Charles?

Information regarding water quality can be found in the annual Water Quality Report, which is available on our website by clicking here.

Q.      What are the hours for the City of St. Charles’ Utility Billing Office?

The Utility Billing Office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays.  We are closed on holidays when all of the other City offices are closed.  To see a list of City holidays click here. 

Q.      How does garbage pickup work in the City of St. Charles?

Q.      What is the $3 yard waste fee that appears on my City of St. Charles utility bill each month?

The yard waste fee helps defray the cost of brush and leaf pick-up.  Any residential property that is located on a publicly maintained street and is single family or has 6 or fewer units is charged this fee.  For more information regarding these two services, click here.

Q.      Are there any special or discounted transportation services for senior citizens or citizens with disabilities?

There are two different transportation services that can assist senior citizens and/or qualified citizens with disabilities.  They are Ride-in-Kane, the RTA Reduced Fare Card, and the RTA Senior Ride Free Smart card.  Ride-in-Kane is available to qualifying residents that live within the corporate city limits of the City of St. Charles and operates within Kane County.  This service is a door-to-door bus service.  The RTA Senior Ride Free Smart Card is a card issued by the RTA that allows senior citizens to travel on the Metra trains and the RTA buses for free. The RTA Reduced Fare Card is a card issued by the RTA that allows qualified citizens with disabilities to pay a reduced fare when traveling on Metra trains and RTA buses.  For more information regarding these three services click here. 

• Alcohol Tax Timeline

Q. When does the alcohol tax become effective?

A. The tax is effective June 1, 2010.

Q. What is the tax rate and what does it apply to?

A. The tax rate is 2% and it applies to all alcohol purchases within the City of St Charles including the purchase of alcohol served or prepared at a liquor establishment for immediate consumption on premises or to the purchase of alcohol in original packages at retail at any liquor establishment for consumption off premises.

Q. What is a liquor establishment?

A. A liquor establishment is defined as any premises required to obtain a retail liquor license pursuant to Chapter 5.08 of the City’s Code.

Q. How is the tax collected?

A. It is the duty of the owner, manager, or operator of every liquor establishment to collect the tax from the consumer and remit the tax to the City. The amount of tax due shall be stated separately on the receipt or other statement given to the consumer at time of payment.

Q. How is the tax reported and remitted to the City?

A. The owner of each liquor establishment shall file tax returns with the City of St. Charles showing the amount of alcohol sales and alcohol tax receipts collected during each monthly period. At the time of filing, the owner shall pay to the City all taxes due for the period, less a commission of 1% of the amount of the tax due which is intended to reimburse the owner for expenses incurred in the administration of the tax. However, the commission may only be deducted if taxes are remitted on time The return and all taxes are to be remitted to the City on or before the last day of the calendar month next succeeding the end of the monthly filing period.

Q. Where do I get the tax return form?

A. A copy of the tax return form was included in the original notification mailing that was sent out on April 20. Please make copies of the form as needed. The form is also available on the City’s website, www.stcharlesil.gov, under the Applications and Forms section.

Q. Are any organizations exempt from the alcohol tax?

A. The only organizations exempt from the alcohol tax are federal, state, and local government bodies. All other organizations, including clubs, associations, fraternal organizations, whether for profit, or not-for-profit, are subject to this tax.

Q. Can I file a tax return on-line?

A. On-line filing is not available at this time. The City will evaluate the possibility of offering this feature in the near future.

Q. Are there penalties and interest for late filing or non-payment?

A. Yes, a 5% penalty will be imposed on the amount of tax due if the tax is not paid by the due date. In addition, interest shall be applied at the rate of 1.25% per month to any late payment, underpayment or non- payment of tax. If no tax return is filed and paid within 60 days of the due date, the Finance Director may issue a notice of tax liability which provides for a penalty of 25% of the full amount of the tax. In addition, if it is found that any person has willfully evaded payment or collection and remittance of the alcohol tax, the establishment’s liquor license may be suspended or revoked after a proper due process hearing in front of the City’s Liquor Commissioner.

Q. What are the record keeping requirements?

A. Books and records must be maintained for at least 48 months. Records maintained, at a minimum, must include daily records that report the amount of taxable receipts within the 24-hour period as well as the actual liquor establishment’s tax receipts collected for the day.

Q. Who can I contact for more information?

A. Please contact the Finance Department at 630-377-4429 for more information.