The maximum amount that Illinois dealers can charge in 2021 for documentary preparation fees is $303.60, the Illinois attorney general’s office announced Dec. 10.

The $3.60 increase over the 2020 maximum fee reflects a 1.2 percent rise in the federal Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending Nov. 30. The index is tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor. As always, the DOC fee is taxable and must be substantiated upon request by the attorney general’s office.

The CATA is developing a poster about the DOC fee that dealer members can display. On the poster, the DOC fee amount is left blank for dealers to fill in; any amount up to the maximum allowed may be charged, but all customers should be charged the same amount. Systematically charging one group but not another — all males but no females, for instance — could bring charges of profiling.

Two copies of the poster will be mailed to dealers later this month. For limited additional copies, call the CATA at (630) 495-2282.

IMPORTANT: The new maximum fee cannot be charged before Jan. 1.