City of Chicago laws require transportation companies and providers to register for Chicago tax compliance.

The Chicago Department of Finance (Chicago.gov/Finance) manages the registration  process for Ground Transportation Tax (GTT) and Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Airport Departure Tax and issues registration emblems to transportation companies and providers.

Note:  City of Chicago licensed public passenger vehicles (taxis, liveries, charter-sightseeing buses, etc.) are automatically registered for Chicago tax compliance through the BACP licensing process.

The following Information is specifically for TAXIS, LIVERIES, and CHARTER BUSES WITHOUT CURRENT ACTIVE CITY OF CHICAGO PUBLIC VEHICLE LICENSES. 

Suburban and Out-of-Illinois TAXIS, LIVERIES, AND CHATER BUSES picking up or dropping off passenger(s) in the City of Chicago, including Chicago airports - O’Hare and Midway International Airports, must obtain Ground Transportation Tax (GTT) and Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Airport Departure Tax registration emblems from the Chicago Department of Finance (DOF).

For questions about the DOF registration, obtaining a PIN number, or using the new CHI MPEA Tax App or GTT website, e-mail revenuedatabase@cityofchicago.org anytime or call (312) 747-4747 Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m

The first step for transportation companies and providers, who are new to operating in Chicago (including the airports), is to complete and submit a New Account Registration Form plus an Affidavit for Initial Taxable Period.  The DOF will issue the registrant a Chicago IRIS (business) account number and a PIN number to (1) obtain a registration emblem for Chicago Ground Transportation Tax (GTT) and MPEA Airport Departure and (2) file and pay Chicago taxes.

• Corporation, Partnership, or LLCs use this form: New Account Reg Corp
•  Sole Proprietors use this form: New Account Info Sheet Sole Proprietor
•  Affidavit for Initial Taxable Period: Initial Affidavit

Scan and email completed forms to the DOF at revenuedatabase@cityofchicago.org. Please include the phrase “New Account” in the email subject field.

Once DOF processes the New Account Registration Form and Affidavit, the Chicago IRIS (business) account number and Pin Number will be sent to the registrant. Use the IRIS and PIN number to register each vehicle on the account and obtain a GTT/MPEA registration emblem for each at gtt-app.chicago.gov.

DOF will also follow up by sending specific instructions on how to remit tax payments and file annual tax returns online on our Chicago Business Direct (Chicago.gov/ChicagoBusinessDirect) platform.

Suburban Taxi and Suburban Livery operators must ALSO do the following on their mobile device:

1. Download CHI MPEA Tax application on your mobile device from either the App Store (IOS phones) or Google Play (Android phones).
2. Enter a payment method to purchase stamps.

Out of State Chartered Bus Operators will automatically be registered for the following tax types.

• MPEA Airport Departure Tax (8500)
• Ground Transportation Tax (7595)

For questions about registration, obtaining a PIN number, or using the new CHI MPEA Tax App or GTT website, e-mail revenuedatabase@cityofchicago.org anytime or call (312) 747-4747 Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m