Perhaps you are hoping to form an Illinois LLC. People assume that starting an LLC is difficult and costly. However, it’s generally not difficult, and the cost would vary across states. We have all the info you need to know about the cost of forming an LLC, particularly the LLC cost in Illinois.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Illinois LLC Cost of Filing
Here are the costs involved in forming an LLC in Illinois.
Cost of Filing Formation Certificates
The Illinois Certificate of Formation is responsible for the majority of the cost, which could also vary depending on whether you’re forming a domestic LLC or a foreign LLC. Still, you can file both at the Illinois Secretary of State.
Illinois Domestic LLC
- Online filing costs $150
- Annual Report filing costs $75
- Name Reservation fee costs $25
- By Mail: Fill out the Application Form PDF and submit it to the following address: Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division, 501 S. Second St., Rm. 351, Springfield, IL 62746, costs $150
Illinois Foreign LLC
- Online filing: Not available
- Annual Report filing costs $75
- Name Reservation fee costs $25
- By Mail: Fill out the Application Form PDF and submit it to the following address: Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division, 501 S. Second St., Rm. 351, Springfield, IL 62746, costs $150
Note that filing online is ideal, not only because you need to go to the Secretary of State office, but also it would be faster. You won’t have to wait in a queue in doing so.
Illinois LLC Formation Service or Registered Agent Fee
You need a registered agent to form an LLC in Illinois, hence, added costs for service fees. Here are three of the best LLC services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $39 + State Fees |
| |
 | $100 + State Fees |
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 | $0 + State Fees |
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Business Permits and Licenses
The business licenses depend on your business’s activity and location and are renewed yearly. As such, the cost will vary. Check Illinois’ Registration, Licenses, and Permits website for further information, or you can also go to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation website.
Illinois LLC taxes to be Paid
The business LLCs in the State of Illinois are subject to different State tax filing obligations. Though the fees may vary from county to county.
Illinois State Income tax
This is the State Tax levied on any income you pay to yourself. The standard tax rate in the State is 4.95% levied on the total amount of taxable income.
Illinois Sales Tax
The standard rate of sales tax applicable is at the rate of 6.25%. Though the taxes may vary depending on the county and city.
Illinois Federal Self-employment tax
Any profit that an Illinois LLC Business members draw out from the business is liable to pay self-employment tax. The standard tax rate is 15.3%.
Illinois Payroll Tax withholding
If you hire employees in Illinois, you must withhold payroll tax from their salaries. The standard rate of withholding is 7.65% of the taxable salary of the employees.
Cost Comparison Among States
Every state has different costs of filing for an LLC to their respective State Authorities. If you wish to gain a better understanding of the costs of opening an LLC in a different state in comparison to Illinois, read the table below:
| State | Filing Fee | Annual Fee/Biennial Fee | Sales tax |
| Illinois LLC | $150 | $75 | 6.25% |
| Wisconsin LLC | $170 (mail)$130 (online) | $25 | 5.00% |
| Indiana LLC | $100 (mail)$95 (online) | $50 (mail) (biennial)$31 (online) (biennial) | 7.00% |
| Kentucky LLC | $40 | $15 (annual) | 6.00% |
| Missouri LLC | $50 (online)$105 (mail) | none | 4.225% |
The State of Illinois has a very diversified economy, ranking as the 5th largest GDP in the U.S. The major contributing sectors are business services, advanced manufacturing, education, agriculture, energy, and biotechnology.
Other Costs
- Illinois Name Reservation: $25 for both online filings or by mail or $50 for expedited processing
- Doing Business As (DBA): The online filing fee or by mail differs depending on the year of application. The cost is $150 if the current year ends with 0 or 5; $120 for year ending with 1 or 6; $90 for year ending with 2 or 7; $60 for year ends with a 3 or 8; or $30 if the year ends with 4 or 9.
- Certified Document Copies: $25.
- Certificate of Good Standing: $25
- Business Domain Name and Website: depend on your preference, but domain name could be as low as $2.99/yr at NameCheap, and web hosting is at least $30/mo at Kinsta.
- Online workspace: at least $4.20/mo for GSuite.
- Business Insurance: would vary depending on insurance type–whether general liability insurance or professional liability insurance–and coverage.
- Dissolution of Illinois LLC: $5
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an LLC in Illinois
Whether you’re starting a new business or expanding an existing one, you need to file annual reports. These reports are due on the first day of the month following the anniversary of your LLC’s formation. There’s a fee of $75 for filing these reports, but you can get expedited service for $50. You can file your annual report online or by mail. You will also need to pay a franchise tax.
Once you’ve formed your LLC, you must pay the state’s fees. You’ll need to file annual reports with the Secretary of State, which are available electronically or on paper. There are also a number of expenses you’ll need to pay. While some are optional, such as professional services or reserving a name, others are required, such as filing taxes. You may also need to get a business license based on the type of activity you’ll be performing. The cost of a business license is usually low, but you should always check with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for information.
In addition to fees, you’ll need to pay a registered agent. This person is responsible for receiving service of process documents, which could lead to legal problems if you don’t meet this requirement. However, hiring a registered agent is a worthwhile investment. A registered agent costs about $150, and it’s worth considering this option. For a small fee, you’ll receive a variety of services.
F.A.Qs
It is possible to form an LLC without professional help, but forms still have associated costs, regardless of where your LLC is formed.
It is difficult to say whether forming an LLC is expensive. Nevertheless, the cost could be anywhere from $40 to $500. If you refuse to hire professionals, you’ll still have expenses like form fees to cover.
The need to separate personal money from business funds, thus necessitating the creation of a business bank account for your LLC.