Illinois LLC Cost (2026): $150 Filing, $75 Reports and the Replacement Tax
Illinois sits in the middle of the pack on filing fees and is inexpensive to maintain at $75 a year. Two Illinois-specific costs deserve more attention than they usually get: an assumed name fee that changes depending on the calendar year you file, and a state replacement tax that applies to multi-member LLCs on top of personal income tax.
$150 to File, $100 More to Rush
The Illinois Secretary of State charges $150 for Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5). If you need the LLC approved quickly, for a lease signing or a bank account, expedited handling costs an additional $100. Standard online filing is usually fast enough that most owners skip it.
Northwest Registered Agent
Illinois annual reports list your registered agent and managers publicly. $39 formation + $150 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
The $75 Annual Report
Every Illinois LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State for $75. It is due before the first day of the LLC’s anniversary month, starting the year after formation. An LLC formed on July 20, 2026 must file its first report before July 1, 2027.
The $100 Late Penalty
A late annual report adds a $100 penalty, more than the report itself, so a late filer pays $175. An LLC that still does not file can be administratively dissolved. Reinstatement requires the missed reports and penalties plus a reinstatement fee.
Assumed Name Fees Change by Year
If your LLC trades under a name other than its legal name, it registers an assumed name with the Secretary of State. Illinois assumed names run on a five-year cycle, so the fee depends on where you are in that cycle:
| Year filed ends in | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 or 5 | $150 |
| 1 or 6 (2026) | $120 |
| 2 or 7 (2027) | $90 |
| 3 or 8 | $60 |
| 4 or 9 | $30 |
Filing late in a cycle is cheaper but the registration expires sooner, at the end of the cycle.
The Replacement Tax Most Guides Skip
Illinois charges a personal property replacement tax on business income. For partnerships, which includes a multi-member LLC under default tax rules, the rate is 1.5% of Illinois net income, reported on Form IL-1065. It is paid by the LLC, in addition to the 4.95% Illinois income tax the members pay on their share. A single-member LLC that is disregarded for tax purposes does not file IL-1065. If you are choosing between one owner and two, this is worth a conversation with your accountant.
Illinois 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $189 ($150 filing + $39, RA free) | $200 ($75 report + $125 RA) | $200 (same) | $589 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $249 ($150 + $0 + $99 RA) | $274 ($75 + $199 RA) | $274 (same) | $797 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $150 (filing) | $75 (annual report) | $75 (annual report) | $300 |
Northwest Registered Agent costs $289 more over three years than acting as your own registered agent, in exchange for keeping your home address off the Secretary of State’s public records and a reminder before each annual report.
Form your Illinois LLC for $39 + $150 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Illinois LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When to wait on an Illinois LLC: for a small side business with no employees and little risk, the $75 annual report and the paperwork may outweigh the benefit for now. A dormant Illinois LLC still owes its annual report until it is dissolved.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois?
$150 for the Articles of Organization, plus $100 if you want expedited handling. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $189 including a free first year of registered agent service.
How much is the Illinois LLC annual report?
$75, due before the first day of the LLC’s anniversary month, beginning the year after formation.
What is the late penalty for the Illinois annual report?
$100, making a late report $175 in total. Continued non-filing can lead to administrative dissolution.
Do Illinois LLCs pay the replacement tax?
Multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships pay the 1.5% personal property replacement tax on Illinois net income, filed on Form IL-1065. Single-member disregarded LLCs do not file that return.
How much is an assumed name for an Illinois LLC?
It depends on the year: $150 in years ending in 0 or 5, $120 in years ending in 1 or 6 (including 2026), $90, $60 and $30 in the following years of the five-year cycle.
