When entering EZ Dec for the first time, you will be asked to register an EZ Dec account.   An EZ Dec account can be an individual, a company office/location, or an entire firm.  How you set up and maintain your account is entirely up to you. 

Three things you should know about EZ Dec registration

1. Registration is a one time activity.  After registering, you can create an unlimited number of declarations

2.There is no fee to register in EZ Dec or to create declarations. 

3. No private or personal information is required to register (i.e. SSN and/or FEIN are NOT necessary).

After setting up your account, you can invite additional users (employees or partners for example) who will also be creating declarations.

For detailed information on how to register an account and maintain users, please click on the EZ Dec Training Modules link on the Main Menu

Creating a Declaration

After registering, you can log into EZ Dec and create as many transfer tax declarations as you like.  Some of the key changes you will see with EZ Dec include:

- Chicago, Cook County and Illinois questions are all integrated

- EZ Dec knows the location of your property and only asks pertinent questions

- Tax calculations and exemption deductions are automated

- Buyer, seller, agent and preparer information only needs to be entered once for a transaction

NOTE:  If your transaction includes a municipality (besides Chicago) that has its own transfer tax declaration, you will be required to follow their current processes.  

Submitting for Close

Once you have entered all declaration information, you will click the Submit for Closing button.   Submit for Closing allows you to pass a declaration to another attorney or a settlement agent that will conduct the actual closing.  If you plan to close by yourself, you will Submit for Closing and Accept the Declaration yourself.  Please see the next section on Accepting a Declaration.

For detailed information on how to log in, create declarations and Submit for Closing, please click on the EZ Dec Training Modules link on the Main Menu

Transfer tax declarations which have been Submitted for Closing must be Accepted in EZ Dec.  Accepting a Declaration allows an individual, attorney, title company or other settlement agent to modify it as necessary and close the transaction.

NOTE:  Any party Accepting a Declaration must enter the 14-digit Declaration ID in EZ Dec.  Without the Declaration ID, a Declaration cannot be accepted and the transaction cannot be closed.

For detailed information on how to Accept Declarations, please click on the EZ Dec Training Modules link on the Main Menu

When an EZ Dec Declaration is Accepted, it can be Closed. 

Closing a declaration involves receiving digital attestation of the buyer and seller (or their agents), updating the closing date in EZ Dec and clicking the "Closed" button.  

When a declaration is closed, two things happen:

1. It can no longer be edited - make sure your EZ Dec Declaration is accurate before closing!

2. Real Property Transfer Taxes are immediately due.

For detailed information on how to Close Declarations, please click on the EZ Dec Training Modules link on the Main Menu

Once an EZ Dec Declaration is closed, it needs to be reviewed by and stamps purchased from either:

1. The licensed settlement agent (e.g. Title Company) responsible for closing

2. Appropriate government agencies

Declaration Review by Government Agencies

If any Cook County municipality (except Chicago) requires a copy of the EZ Dec declaration, you can print EZ Dec declarations after they have been Submitted for Close.

When presenting a transaction for review at the City of Chicago or Cook County Recorder, there is no need to bring paper copies of the EZ Dec Declaration.  Rather, write down the Declaration ID (the one used to Accept the Declaration) and share it with the reviewer. 

Stamp Purchases

Chicago Transfer Tax stamps can be purchased from Chicago City Hall (Room 107) after a declaration has been reviewed and approved.

Cook County/Illinois Transfer Tax stamps can be purchased from Cook County Recorders' offices after a declaration has been reviewed and approved.