At a glance
Filing agency
Illinois Secretary of State
Formation fees
Corporation $150 · LLC $150 · Nonprofit $50
Standard processing
Standard processing is typically about 10 business days. Expedited service with a 24-hour target is available for an additional fee. Online, mail, and in-person filing options are available, and current processing times are posted by the Secretary of State.
Annual requirement
Annual reports are due before the first day of the formation anniversary month. The fee is $75 for corporations and LLCs and $10 for nonprofit corporations. Corporations also calculate any Illinois franchise tax due.
Newspaper publication
Not required for new corporations, LLCs, or nonprofits
Forming a business in Illinois
Illinois combines a large Chicago-area economy with a statewide business filing system administered by the Secretary of State. The formation fee is $150 for a for-profit corporation or LLC, and the annual report is due before the first day of the entity’s anniversary month.
Illinois corporations also have a franchise tax calculation that is filed with the annual report. The franchise tax rules have changed in recent years, so the current calculation should be confirmed before filing. This guide explains the corporation, LLC, and nonprofit paths and the ongoing compliance calendar.
Corporation, LLC, or nonprofit?
The right structure depends on how the business will be owned, managed, financed, and taxed.
A corporation is designed for centralized management and outside investment. An LLC offers
liability protection with more flexible management and tax treatment. A nonprofit corporation
is for an organization operated for a charitable, educational, religious, or other exempt purpose.
Business corporation in Illinois
An Illinois business corporation is created by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. The corporation files an annual report before its anniversary month and calculates any franchise tax due with that report.
| Formation document | Articles of Incorporation |
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| State filing fee | $150 |
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| Annual filing | Annual Report and franchise tax — due Before the first day of the formation anniversary month; $75 annual report fee plus any franchise tax due. The franchise tax calculation is separate from the annual report fee. |
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| Tax treatment | An Illinois corporation is a C corporation by default, with S corporation status available by federal election. The corporation may owe Illinois corporate income tax and franchise tax, in addition to federal income tax. |
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| Best for | Businesses that want a formal board-and-shareholder structure, outside investment, or a structure familiar to lenders and institutional partners. |
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- A corporate name that is distinguishable and includes a required designator.
- An Illinois registered agent and registered office with a physical street address.
- The principal office address, authorized shares, and initial directors.
- The incorporator’s signature and any required name consent or professional approval.
Start a Illinois Corporation FilingLimited liability company in Illinois
An Illinois LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization. The LLC files an annual report before its anniversary month and pays a $75 state fee; Illinois LLCs are not subject to the corporate franchise tax.
| Formation document | Articles of Organization |
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| State filing fee | $150 |
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| Annual filing | Annual Report — due Before the first day of the formation anniversary month; $75. A $100 late penalty applies if the report is not filed timely. |
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| Tax treatment | An Illinois LLC is pass-through by default for federal income tax purposes. Members may elect S or C corporation treatment. Illinois may impose entity-level taxes and fees depending on the LLC’s classification and activity. |
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| Best for | Owner-managed businesses, professional practices, real estate holdings, and startups that want liability protection without the corporate franchise tax. |
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- An LLC name that includes Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., or another accepted designator.
- An Illinois registered agent and a physical Illinois street address.
- The principal office address and the name and address of each manager or member, as applicable.
- A written operating agreement, which is not filed with the state but is important for governance.
Start a Illinois LLC FilingNonprofit corporation in Illinois
An Illinois nonprofit corporation files nonprofit Articles of Incorporation. The formation fee is $50 and the annual report fee is $10, making Illinois relatively inexpensive for nonprofit entities.
| Formation document | Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit |
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| State filing fee | $50 |
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| Annual filing | Annual Report — due Before the first day of the formation anniversary month; $10. The nonprofit annual report fee is lower than the for-profit fee. |
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| Tax treatment | Illinois nonprofit corporation status does not automatically create federal tax exemption. The organization must apply to the IRS and may need separate Illinois tax exemption and charitable registration. |
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| Best for | Charitable, educational, religious, civic, and membership organizations that want a formal nonprofit structure. |
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- A nonprofit name that meets Illinois naming rules.
- An Illinois registered agent and registered office.
- A statement of nonprofit purpose and the required IRS language if seeking 501(c)(3) status.
- The incorporator, initial directors, and bylaws adopted after formation.
Start a Illinois Nonprofit Filing Illinois entity comparison
| Factor | Corporation | LLC | Nonprofit |
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| Formation document | Articles of Incorporation | Articles of Organization | Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit |
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| State filing fee | $150 | $150 | $50 |
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| Annual filing | Annual Report and franchise tax | Annual Report | Annual Report |
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| Tax treatment | An Illinois corporation is a C corporation by default, with S corporation status available by federal election. The corporation may owe Illinois corporate income tax and franchise tax, in addition to federal income tax. | An Illinois LLC is pass-through by default for federal income tax purposes. Members may elect S or C corporation treatment. Illinois may impose entity-level taxes and fees depending on the LLC’s classification and activity. | Illinois nonprofit corporation status does not automatically create federal tax exemption. The organization must apply to the IRS and may need separate Illinois tax exemption and charitable registration. |
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| Best for | Businesses that want a formal board-and-shareholder structure, outside investment, or a structure familiar to lenders and institutional partners. | Owner-managed businesses, professional practices, real estate holdings, and startups that want liability protection without the corporate franchise tax. | Charitable, educational, religious, civic, and membership organizations that want a formal nonprofit structure. |
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Illinois annual reports follow the anniversary month
An Illinois entity files its annual report before the first day of the month in which it was originally formed. An LLC formed in July files by June 30 each year; a corporation formed in March files by the last day of February. The report may be filed up to 45 days before the due date.
The fee is $75 for corporations and LLCs and $10 for nonprofits. A late LLC report incurs a $100 penalty, and a late corporate report can incur a penalty based on the franchise tax calculation. Continued delinquency can lead to administrative dissolution.
Corporations calculate franchise tax with the annual report
Illinois corporations have an annual franchise tax based on paid-in capital. The annual report form includes the franchise tax calculation, and the total due is the $75 report fee plus any franchise tax owed. The franchise tax rules have been the subject of recent legislation, including an exemption threshold and proposals to eliminate the tax.
Because the calculation and the law can change, the corporation should confirm the current franchise tax treatment with the Secretary of State or its accountant before filing. Illinois LLCs are not subject to the corporate franchise tax, which is one reason some owners choose the LLC structure.
Registered agent and registered office are required
Illinois corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit corporations must maintain a registered agent and a registered office in Illinois. The registered office must be a physical street address where the agent can receive service of process and official state mail.
A change of registered agent or registered office is filed separately from the annual report. The entity should keep the agent information current so it does not miss a legal notice or a state filing reminder.
How to form a Illinois entity
- Check the name. Search the Illinois business entity database and confirm the name is available and uses the correct designator.
- Appoint a registered agent. Arrange an Illinois registered agent and a physical Illinois street address for service of process and state mail.
- Prepare the formation document. Complete the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization, including the principal office and management information.
- File with the Secretary of State. Submit online, by mail, or in person with the $150 for-profit fee or the $50 nonprofit fee. Select expedited service if needed.
- Calendar the anniversary-month report. File the annual report before the first day of the formation anniversary month and calculate any franchise tax due for a corporation.
Illinois annual report and good standing
Illinois corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit corporations file an annual report before the first day of their formation anniversary month. The fee is $75 for corporations and LLCs and $10 for nonprofits. Corporations also calculate any franchise tax due with the report.
A late LLC report incurs a $100 penalty, and a late corporate report can incur penalties and interest. Continued delinquency can lead to administrative dissolution. We can prepare the annual report, confirm the anniversary date, and coordinate the registered agent information.
| Entity | Annual filing | Due | State fee |
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| Business corporation | Annual Report and franchise tax | Before the first day of the formation anniversary month | $75 annual report fee plus any franchise tax due |
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| Limited liability company | Annual Report | Before the first day of the formation anniversary month | $75 |
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| Nonprofit corporation | Annual Report | Before the first day of the formation anniversary month | $10 |
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Does Illinois require newspaper publication?
No. Illinois does not require a corporation, LLC, or nonprofit corporation to publish a newspaper notice of formation. The entity is formed when the Secretary of State accepts the filing and the registered agent is in place.
Publication requirements exist in a few other states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Georgia. An Illinois entity that registers to do business in one of those states should confirm whether the foreign registration or a later filing triggers a publication obligation.
Illinois formation questions
The Articles of Organization filing fee is $150. The annual report fee is $75 and is due before the first day of the LLC’s formation anniversary month. A $100 late penalty applies if the report is not filed timely.
The Articles of Incorporation filing fee is $150. The annual report fee is $75, plus any Illinois franchise tax due. The franchise tax calculation is included with the annual report.
The nonprofit Articles of Incorporation filing fee is $50. The annual report fee is $10 and is due before the first day of the formation anniversary month. IRS 501(c)(3) and charitable registration costs are separate.
It is due before the first day of the month in which the entity was originally formed. An LLC formed in July files by June 30 each year. The report may be filed up to 45 days before the due date.
No. The Illinois corporate franchise tax applies to corporations, not LLCs. LLCs pay the $75 annual report fee. Corporations calculate franchise tax on paid-in capital and include it with the annual report.
Yes. Illinois corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit corporations must maintain a registered agent and a physical Illinois registered office. The agent receives service of process and official state correspondence.
No. Illinois does not require newspaper publication for a new corporation, LLC, or nonprofit corporation. An Illinois entity that registers in a state with a publication rule should confirm that state’s requirement separately.
Official Illinois resources
Fees, forms, and deadlines were reviewed in November 2026 and can change. This guide is
general information for attorneys, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. It is not legal,
tax, or accounting advice. Confirm the current requirement with the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services or your
professional adviser before filing.