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  | $99 per year |
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 | $125 per year |
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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
To maintain an LLC in Illinois you will need to pay an annual fee of $75 along with sales tax at 6.25%, income tax at 4.95% and federal taxes.
There are several different types of fees that will need to be paid when you create an LLC in Illinois. These fees will vary based on your particular circumstances, but they will generally include state, local and federal taxes. In addition, there are likely to be sales and self-employment taxes that your business must pay. For more information on the various fees, check out our article on how much it costs to create and maintain an LLC in Illinois.
Once you’ve formed your LLC, you’ll need to file an annual report with the Secretary of State. This report is required for all businesses that operate in Illinois and includes similar information to your articles of organization. You can either file the report online or mail it in. The filing fee is $75, or $50 if you’d prefer to file the report on an expedited basis. In Illinois, annual reports are due on the first day of the month your LLC’s anniversary.
The annual fee for a business license in Illinois is $250. Once you’ve registered an LLC, you’ll need to pay an annual fee to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. It’s also important to note that the legal name you choose for your business cannot conflict with another entity that has registered a similar name. Therefore, you should check whether the name you want to use is available before you file.
While you can form an LLC for under $150 in Illinois, you’ll need to keep track of it. The Secretary of State’s website has a list of all the fees you’ll need to pay. Filing an annual report is essential, and you can file the form online or by mail. The filing fee for annual reports is $75; if you fail to do so, you’ll be charged a $100 delinquency fee.
Once your LLC is created in Illinois, you’ll need to choose an operating agreement, which outlines the structure of the business. Having an operating agreement outlines who owns what, and what they do and don’t. It also protects all members and sole proprietors. Lastly, you’ll need to choose a registered agent. You’ll need to choose a registered agent if you want to maintain an LLC in Illinois.
Depending on the size of your business, you might need to hire an accountant or a registered agent to help you keep your company up to date with the laws. A good accountant will cost you between $2,000 and $3,000 per year. If you have a lot of clients, a registered agent will ensure that your company stays in compliance with Illinois laws. A registered agent will also remind you of important deadlines.
In addition to the state income tax, Illinois has other fees that your business may have to pay. A limited liability company must file annual reports with the secretary of state. The state also requires you to pay yearly renewal fees. The state is known for its high tax burden and many small businesses are choosing to incorporate in Illinois. If you’re considering starting a business in Illinois, the average cost of LLC registration is only $150.
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.
In Conclusion
The cost of Illinois is much lower compared to other forms of business. Apart from the state filing fees and annual taxes, you might bear the cost of the registered agent. Compare the price of professional LLC services and choose the most affordable one.