Illinois LLC Cost (2026)
See Illinois LLC costs in 2026, including state filing fees, recurring fees, registered agent, EIN, taxes, licenses, and common add-on costs.
LLC Route Editorial Team
Reviewed against official state and federal resources.
Updated July 28, 2026
Educational guide, not legal or tax advice.
Illinois LLC cost is straightforward at the Secretary of State level: a standard domestic LLC Articles of Organization filing is $150, and the annual report is $75 every year. Those two numbers do not include registered agent service, taxes, local licenses, payroll accounts, or optional expedited handling.
Educational note: This guide is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Confirm current requirements with the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Department of Revenue, IDES, local agencies, IRS, and qualified professionals.
Most people need this first
| If you are trying to decide… | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Illinois LLC filing fee? | $150 for a standard LLC |
| Is there a faster filing option? | Online instructions list $250 for 24-hour service |
| What is the annual report fee? | $75 every year |
| When is the annual report due? | Before the first day of the LLC’s anniversary month |
| Is name reservation required? | No, but it is available for $25 |
| Is a registered agent required? | Yes, with an Illinois registered office |
| Is EIN included? | No. EIN is separate and free from IRS |
| Does Illinois registration include tax accounts? | No. IDOR registration is separate when required |
For many Illinois LLCs, the practical order is:
Search name -> choose registered agent -> file Articles of Organization -> create operating agreement -> get EIN if needed -> register with IDOR before sales, purchases, or hiring when required -> register employer accounts if hiring -> check local and industry licenses -> file the $75 annual report every year
Illinois LLC cost at a glance
| Cost or requirement | Amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization, standard LLC | $150 | Main formation filing |
| Articles of Organization, 24-hour online service | $250 | SOS online instructions list $250 for 24-hour service |
| Series LLC Articles | $400 standard / $500 24-hour | Use only if series structure is actually appropriate |
| Annual report | $75 | Required every year |
| Annual report late penalty | $100 | Applies if the report is not filed within the allowed late period |
| Name reservation | $25 | Optional; does not form the LLC |
| Registered agent change | $25 | Secretary of State filing fee, not agent service fee |
| EIN | $0 | Free directly from IRS |
| IDOR business registration | Usually $0 to register | Tax and license obligations may follow |
| Local or industry licenses | Varies | City, county, professional, and activity-specific |
Formation filing cost
Illinois Secretary of State lists LLC 5.5 Articles of Organization at $150. The online formation instructions list standard Articles at $150 for 10 business days and $250 for 24-hour service.
Do not read the $150 as the total cost of operating in Illinois. It is only the state entity filing. It does not include:
- Registered agent service
- EIN filing help from a third party
- Illinois Department of Revenue accounts
- Retailers’ occupation tax, use tax, withholding, or other tax responsibilities
- Unemployment insurance setup
- City business licenses
- County, zoning, health, liquor, contractor, or professional licenses
- Formation-company service packages
Annual report cost
Illinois LLCs file an annual report every year. The standard fee is $75. The deadline is tied to the LLC’s anniversary month, not one universal date for every LLC.
Example: if the LLC was formed on July 18, the anniversary month is July. The annual report should be handled before July 1 each year.
Series LLC caution
Illinois allows series LLC filings, but the first filing cost is higher: $400 for Articles of Organization for a series LLC, and the annual report can include extra series fees. Most small businesses should not choose a series LLC only because it sounds flexible. It can complicate banking, bookkeeping, insurance, tax records, and legal review.
Cost FAQ
How much does it cost to start an Illinois LLC?
A standard domestic Illinois LLC filing is $150. If you use the online 24-hour service listed by the Secretary of State, the cost is $250.
How much is the Illinois LLC annual report?
The annual report fee is $75 each year for a standard LLC.
Is the registered agent fee included?
No. Illinois requires a registered agent and registered office, but commercial registered agent service is a separate private cost.
Does the Illinois LLC filing include sales tax registration?
No. Registering the LLC with the Secretary of State is separate from IDOR business registration.
Official resources
- Illinois Secretary of State LLC fee schedule
- Illinois online LLC formation instructions
- Illinois Limited Liability Company Act
- Illinois Department of Revenue business registration
- IRS EIN application
Related Illinois LLC topics
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