Forming an LLC in Illinois costs a one-time $150 state filing fee. Ongoing, budget about $75 a year in state fees, so a typical first year is roughly $225 before any service or registered-agent costs. The fee is identical whether you are a US resident or a non-resident. Higher filing and report fees than neighboring states.
What does an LLC cost in Illinois?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| One-time state filing fee | $150 |
| Annual/biennial report | Annual report ($75), anniversary month |
| Franchise / annual state tax | None - $0 |
| Registered agent (required) | Typically $50-$125 a year from an independent provider |
| Recurring state fees per year | About $75 |
| Typical first-year state cost | About $225 (filing + first-year state fees, excluding services) |
Compare Illinois against all 51 states by cost →
Open the official Illinois registration page ↗
Official destination: Illinois business services. Confirm the current filing form, fee and process on that site before paying.
State fees go to Illinois and are the same through any formation service - a service fee sits on top of these numbers, never instead of them. Filing directly with the state is always the cheapest route on paper; what you pay a provider for is coordination.
Illinois LLC at a glance
| One-time filing fee (to form) | $150 - paid once |
| Processing time | ~1-2 weeks; expedited available |
| Ongoing annual/biennial report | Annual report ($75), anniversary month |
| Separate franchise / annual tax | None |
| State income tax | Yes |
| State sales tax | 6.25% |
| Sales-tax economic nexus | $100,000 (transaction count repealed 2026) |
| Registered agent | Required (in-state address) |
| Publication requirement | No |
| Anonymous ownership | Not available (ownership is on record) |
| Fees for non-residents | Identical - state fees do not depend on residency |
State cost data last checked 2026-07-21; the registration destination was cross-checked against the SBA state directory on 2026-08-23. Fees, forms and deadlines still change - confirm on the linked official site and tax authority before filing.
Do non-residents pay more in Illinois?
The state fees above are the same for everyone - Illinois does not charge non-residents more to form or maintain an LLC. What changes is the surrounding process and your tax obligations, not the price.
- A Illinois registered agent is mandatory - you cannot list your own foreign address.
- Get your EIN with Form SS-4 by fax or phone (the instant online tool needs an SSN or ITIN).
- A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 every year - a $25,000 penalty if missed.
- You may owe no US income tax on remote work, but still have US reporting and home-country tax.
- US banking is harder and depends on your residence country - check eligibility before you form.
- You can act as your own registered agent with a Illinois street address.
- You can get an EIN online instantly with your SSN.
- Form 5472 generally does not apply; you report on your personal return.
- An S-corp election can cut self-employment tax once profit is high enough.
- Forming outside your home state can create a second registration and fee set.
Check banking eligibility for your country · Do I owe US tax / must I file 5472?
Does Illinois fit your situation?
Illinois puts ownership on the public record, so it is not the choice if you need anonymity. It levies a state income tax. Higher filing and report fees than neighboring states.
If you do not live or operate in Illinois, remember that forming here while working elsewhere can create a second state registration (foreign qualification) and a second set of fees. For most non-residents the decision comes down to banking acceptance and total cost - see the best-state comparison.
How do I form an LLC in Illinois?
- Check name availability and appoint a Illinois registered agent.
- File the Articles of Organization ($150) with the state.
- Get an EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4 by fax or phone if you have no SSN).
- Confirm banking and payment eligibility for your residence country.
- Put the report on a calendar: Annual report ($75), anniversary month.
Generate your Illinois deadline calendar · Check your US tax obligations
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Illinois?
The Illinois LLC filing fee is a one-time $150 paid to the state. Ongoing state fees are about $75 a year. A typical first year is roughly $225 in state costs, before any registered agent or formation-service fees.
What is the Illinois LLC filing fee in 2026?
$150, paid once to the state when you file the Articles of Organization. This is set by Illinois and is the same through any formation service - services add their fee on top, they do not replace it.
What are the annual fees for a Illinois LLC?
Annual report ($75), anniversary month. There is no separate franchise or annual state tax. Budget separately for a registered agent, typically $50-$125 a year.
Does Illinois require an annual report?
Yes: Annual report ($75), anniversary month.
Is Illinois a good state for a non-resident LLC?
Higher filing and report fees than neighboring states. Base the decision on where you actually operate, banking acceptance and total cost, not only the filing fee.
Do non-residents pay a different LLC fee in Illinois?
No. Illinois charges the same one-time $150 filing fee and the same ongoing fees regardless of whether the owner is a US resident or a non-resident. What differs for non-residents is the process (registered agent, EIN by fax, Form 5472), not the state fees.
Is the filing fee the same as the annual fee?
No - these are two separate charges. The $150 is a one-time fee to form the LLC. Separately, ongoing, you file: Annual report ($75), anniversary month. People often confuse the one-time formation fee with the smaller recurring annual fee.