LLC Filing Cost
$150
Articles of Organization
Illinois state guide
Start and Maintain
Start and Maintain
a Business in Illinois
Get a clear overview of Illinois LLC and corporation formation, the $150 state filing fee, registered-agent rules, the $75 annual report, business taxes and the steps that keep your entity current.
LLC Filing$150
Corp Filing$150
Annual Report$75
Registered AgentRequired
Quick answer
How Do You Start a Business in Illinois?
File Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation) with the Illinois Secretary of State for $150, appoint a registered agent with an Illinois office and get an EIN. Then file the $75 annual report every year, before the first day of your anniversary month, and register for the Illinois taxes that apply.
Read Full GuideIllinois Business Snapshot
Essential information at a glance for your Illinois business.
Corp Filing Cost
$150
Articles of Incorporation
Annual Report
$75
Due before the anniversary month
Registered Agent
Required
Illinois office address
Good Standing
$25
Certificate of Good Standing
Sales Tax
6.25%
State rate, plus local
Entity types
LLC vs Corporation
Compare the key differences and find the best structure for your business needs.
LLC Highlights
- Filing cost: $150
- Registered agent required
- $75 annual report every year
- Online filing with the Secretary of State
- Pass-through taxation by default
Often chosen by founders who want flexible ownership and management.
The annual report is due before the first day of your anniversary month.
Corporation Highlights
- Filing cost: $150
- Registered agent required
- $75 annual report, plus any franchise tax
- Directors, officers and bylaws
- Shares and formal governance
Best for companies that need a share structure, a board or investor features.
Franchise tax can apply on top of the annual report fee, and is separate from income tax.
How it works
LLC Formation Journey
Follow these simple steps to form your Illinois LLC. Select a step for details.
Annual report due before the 1st
Step 1 of 6
Choose an Illinois-compliant LLC name and check that it is available with the Illinois Secretary of State before you file.
Choose an Illinois-compliant LLC name and check that it is available with the Illinois Secretary of State before you file.
Appoint an Illinois registered agent and office: an Illinois resident or a qualifying corporation, with a street or road address (or a rural route and box). A P.O. Box alone isn’t enough. Need one? See Registered Agent.
Prepare the Articles of Organization and identify how the LLC will be managed. Forming a corporation instead? See Corporation Formation. Operating in another state too? See Foreign Qualification.
File the Articles of Organization and pay the $150 state fee. The Secretary of State lists about 10 business days for regular online filing. Faster handling is optional; contact us to check availability and the fee.
Apply to the IRS for free. Then organize your operating agreement, ownership and banking records; the agreement isn’t filed with the state. EIN Application.
Register for the Illinois tax accounts that apply, then file the $75 annual report every year before the first day of the month your LLC was organized. Annual Reports.
Requirement
Registered Agent in Illinois
Every Illinois LLC and corporation must keep a registered agent and a registered office in Illinois. The agent can be an Illinois resident or a qualifying corporation authorized to act as one.
- Illinois street or road address, or rural route and box
- A P.O. Box alone doesn’t qualify
- The agent receives service of process and state notices
Annual report
$75
1stOf the anniversary month
Illinois LLCs and business corporations file an annual report every year, due before the first day of the month they were organized, incorporated or authorized. If your LLC was organized on September 15, the report is due before September 1.
Business corporations can also owe franchise tax on top of the $75 fee. A report that isn’t filed can lead to administrative dissolution or revocation.
Due before the 1st of your anniversary month
View Annual Report SupportTaxes & Compliance
Illinois taxes depend on how your entity is classified, and local taxes can apply.
7%
Corporate Income Tax
(C corporations)
2.5%
Replacement Tax
(C corporations)
6.25%
Sales Tax
(State rate, plus local)
IllinoisTax Explorer View Full Tax Guide
Illinois taxes by entity type
- S corporation or partnership1.5%Replacement tax. A 4.95% pass-through entity tax election may be available.
- Franchise tax$10,000First $10,000 of franchise tax is exempt for business corporations from 2025.
- Remote sellers$100,000Illinois gross receipts from tangible property sales, from January 1, 2026.
Franchise tax is separate from income tax. Federal and local taxes can also apply.
Processing Times
Regular online filing takes about 10 business days. Faster handling is optional; contact us to check availability and the fee.
Standard
Regular online filing
State fee only
(about 10 business days)
Expedited
Faster review
Contact us
(availability and fee)
Official portal
Illinois State Portal
Illinois formations, annual reports and certificates run through the Secretary of State’s Business Services, and tax registration runs through the Department of Revenue’s MyTax Illinois. We help with both.
- File formations & annual reports
- Order Certificates of Good Standing
- Review tax registration
- Review your registered agent
Global founders
International Founders
Forming an Illinois company from abroad? In many situations that is possible, but formation doesn’t guarantee a U.S. bank account, immigration status or a tax-free business.
- Illinois LLC & corporation formation
- Registered agent & EIN support
- Annual report & tax reminders
Answers
Illinois Knowledge Center
Find answers to common questions and get the guidance you need.
Still have a question?
Talk to a Specialist
Our team answers Illinois formation and compliance questions in plain language.
Popular Questions
How much does it cost to form an Illinois LLC?
The current Illinois Secretary of State online fee for standard Articles of Organization processing is $150, plus any In50States service fee.
How much does it cost to form an Illinois corporation?
The current online fee for standard Articles of Incorporation processing is $150.
Does Illinois require a registered agent?
Yes. Illinois LLCs and corporations must maintain a qualifying registered agent and registered office in Illinois.
Can I use only a P.O. Box for the Illinois registered office?
No. The registered office must have a qualifying Illinois street or road address, or a rural route and box number. A P.O. Box alone isn’t acceptable.
Does an Illinois LLC file an annual report?
Yes. Illinois LLCs file an annual report every year.
How much is the Illinois LLC annual report?
The current filing fee is $75.
When is the Illinois LLC annual report due?
It is due before the first day of the LLC’s anniversary month each year.
Does an Illinois corporation file an annual report?
Yes. The standard annual report filing fee is $75, and applicable corporation franchise tax can also be due.
What is Illinois corporate franchise tax?
It is a Secretary of State tax tied to Illinois corporations and paid-in capital. Under current law, the first $10,000 of liability is exempt on and after January 1, 2025.
What is the Illinois corporate income tax rate?
C corporations generally pay 7% Illinois income tax plus 2.5% personal property replacement tax under current Department of Revenue guidance.
What is the Illinois sales tax rate?
The state rate on general merchandise is 6.25%, but local retailer taxes can increase the combined rate.
What changed for Illinois remote sellers in 2026?
Beginning January 1, 2026, the economic threshold is generally $100,000 in cumulative Illinois gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property. The separate 200-transaction threshold was removed.
Does Illinois require a general business license?
There is no single statewide license that covers every business. Tax registration, professional licenses and city or county permits depend on activity and location.
How much is foreign qualification in Illinois?
A foreign LLC Application for Admission is currently $150. A foreign business corporation has a $150 minimum filing fee plus any applicable franchise tax or other amounts.
How much is an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing?
The online corporation or LLC Certificate of Good Standing currently costs $25.
Can an international founder own an Illinois LLC?
In many situations, yes. The company must still meet Illinois filing, registered agent, tax and compliance requirements and separately address federal EIN, banking and tax issues.
How fast can Illinois process formation?
The Secretary of State lists about 10 business days for regular online formation. Faster service is available for an extra fee; contact us to check availability and the fee.
No questions match that search. Try a shorter word, such as “fee” or “tax”.
Ready to Start Your Illinois Business?
Choose your entity, review the filing fees and start your formation.