Illinois LLC Annual Report
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Report Name | Annual Report |
| Filing Frequency | Once per year |
| Due Date | Before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month |
| Filing Fee | $75.00 |
| Online Filing | Yes, available through Illinois Secretary of State |
| Late Penalty | $100 if not filed within 60 days after due date |
| Administrative Dissolution | Possible if unfiled 120 days from delinquency |
| Reinstatement Fee | $200.00 |
| Filing Authority | Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services |
FAQ
Q: When is my Illinois LLC annual report due?
Your annual report is due before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month each year. Your anniversary month is the month in which you originally organized your LLC. For example, if you formed your LLC in March 2024, your first annual report was due before March 1, 2025, and subsequent reports are due before March 1 each year thereafter.
Q: What happens if I miss the deadline?
If you miss the due date, your LLC becomes delinquent immediately. If you do not file within 60 days after the due date, you incur a $100 late penalty and your LLC enters penalty status. If the annual report remains unfiled 120 days from the original due date, the Illinois Secretary of State may administratively dissolve or revoke your LLC.
Q: Can I file my annual report online?
Yes. You can file your Illinois LLC annual report online through the Illinois Secretary of State's online filing system at https://apps.ilsos.gov/llcarticles/index.jsp. You can also file by mail or in person at the Secretary of State's offices in Springfield or Chicago.
What Must Your Annual Report Include?
Your Illinois LLC annual report must contain specific information about your company's current status and management structure. Under 805 ILCS 180/50-1 and 805 ILCS 180/50-5, you must report your LLC's legal name, file number, jurisdiction of organization, and principal place of business or records office address.
You must also list the names and business addresses of all managers and any members who have manager authority. If you maintain a registered agent and registered office separately, you must report that information as well. The report essentially provides the Illinois Secretary of State with a current snapshot of your LLC's legal structure and leadership.
If your LLC information has not changed since the previous year, you still must file the annual report. The filing confirms that your LLC remains active and in compliance with Illinois law.
How to File Your Annual Report
You have three options for filing your Illinois LLC annual report: online, by mail, or in person.
Online Filing (Recommended)
The fastest and most convenient method is to file online through the Illinois Secretary of State's LLC filing portal at https://apps.ilsos.gov/llcarticles/index.jsp. You will need your LLC's file number and basic company information. The online system guides you through each required field and allows you to pay the $75 filing fee by credit card. Online filings are processed quickly and you receive immediate confirmation.
Mail Filing
You can mail your annual report form to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division, at either of these addresses:
- 501 S. Second St., Rm. 350, Springfield, IL 62756
- 69 W. Washington St., Ste. 1240, Chicago, IL 60602
Include the completed form, the $75 filing fee (check or money order), and any supporting documents. Mail filing takes longer than online filing, so submit your report well before the deadline to avoid late penalties.
In-Person Filing
You can file in person at either Secretary of State office listed above during business hours. Bring the completed annual report form, the $75 filing fee, and any required documentation. In-person filing provides immediate confirmation but requires travel to Springfield or Chicago.
Obtaining the Correct Form
The Illinois Secretary of State provides annual report instructions and forms on its LLC annual reports page at https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/annual-reports/llc-instructions.html. Review the current form and instructions before filing to ensure you submit all required information.
Annual Report Deadlines and Anniversary Months
Your annual report deadline is tied to your LLC's anniversary month, which is the calendar month in which you originally organized your LLC. You must file your report before the first day of that month each year.
Example Timeline
If you formed your LLC on June 15, 2024, your anniversary month is June. Your first annual report was due before June 1, 2025. Your second annual report is due before June 1, 2026, and so on. You must file every year, without exception, even if your LLC's operations or membership have not changed.
First Report Deadline
Your first annual report is due before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month in the year after formation. If you formed your LLC in 2024, your first report was due in 2025. If you formed your LLC in 2025, your first report is due in 2026.
Foreign LLCs
If you are a foreign LLC (organized outside Illinois) that has been admitted to transact business in Illinois, your first annual report is also due before the first day of your anniversary month in the year after admission.
Planning Ahead
Mark your anniversary month on your business calendar and set a reminder at least 30 days before the deadline. This buffer gives you time to gather required information, prepare the report, and submit it without rushing. Filing early eliminates the risk of missing the deadline due to unexpected delays.
Late Penalties and Administrative Dissolution
Illinois imposes strict penalties for late annual report filings. Understanding the escalation timeline helps you avoid serious consequences for your LLC.
The 60-Day Late Penalty
If you do not file your annual report by the due date, your LLC becomes delinquent immediately. If you still have not filed within 60 days after the due date, the Illinois Secretary of State assesses a $100 late penalty. For example, if your report was due June 1 and you file on August 15, you owe both the $75 annual report fee and the $100 late penalty.
The 120-Day Administrative Dissolution
If your annual report remains unfiled 120 days from the original due date, your LLC may be administratively dissolved or revoked by the Secretary of State. This is a serious consequence: your LLC loses its legal status, you cannot conduct business, and your personal liability protection may be compromised. For example, if your report was due June 1 and you have not filed by September 29 (120 days later), dissolution proceedings may begin.
Avoiding Penalties
File your annual report before the first day of your anniversary month. If you realize you have missed the deadline, file immediately and pay the $100 late penalty along with the $75 annual report fee. The sooner you file, the sooner you bring your LLC back into compliance and avoid administrative dissolution.
Checking Your LLC Status
You can verify your LLC's current status at any time by searching the Illinois Secretary of State's business entity database at https://apps.ilsos.gov/businessentitysearch/. If your LLC shows as delinquent or in penalty status, file your overdue annual report immediately.
Reinstatement After Administrative Dissolution
If your LLC has been administratively dissolved due to failure to file an annual report, you can restore it to good standing through reinstatement.
Reinstatement Requirements
To reinstate your LLC, you must file a reinstatement application with the Illinois Secretary of State and pay a $200 reinstatement fee. You must also pay all delinquent annual report fees, the $100 late penalty, and any additional delinquency amounts required to return your LLC to good standing. In other words, reinstatement is not cheap: you are paying the $200 reinstatement fee plus back fees and penalties.
Example Reinstatement Cost
Suppose your annual report was due June 1, 2025, and you did not file until January 2026 (after administrative dissolution). You would owe:
- $75 (annual report fee for 2025)
- $100 (late penalty)
- $200 (reinstatement fee)
- Total: $375
If you owed multiple years of annual reports, the cost multiplies accordingly.
Reinstatement Timeline
Once you submit a complete reinstatement application with all required fees and documents, the Secretary of State processes your request. The reinstatement restores your LLC's legal status and liability protection, but you should not rely on reinstatement as a backup plan. Filing on time is far simpler and cheaper than reinstatement.
Preventing Dissolution
The best strategy is to file your annual report before the deadline every year. Set calendar reminders, maintain accurate contact information with the Secretary of State, and file online to eliminate mail delays. If you are unsure whether your LLC is in good standing, search the business entity database before the deadline.
Additional Compliance Obligations
Filing your annual report keeps your LLC in good standing with the Secretary of State, but it is only one piece of Illinois LLC compliance. You have other obligations that operate on different schedules.
Registered Agent and Registered Office
Your LLC must maintain a registered agent and registered office in Illinois at all times. Your registered agent must be an individual who resides in Illinois or an entity authorized to transact business in Illinois. Your registered office must have a street address (not a P.O. Box) and must match the business office address of your registered agent. If you change your registered agent or office, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Registered Office ($25 fee) with the Secretary of State.
Sales Tax Registration
If your LLC will make taxable sales in Illinois, you must register with the Illinois Department of Revenue before making sales. Registration is free and can be completed through MyTax Illinois or Form REG-1. Illinois imposes a 6.25% state sales tax rate before local add-ons. You can register at https://tax.illinois.gov/questionsandanswers/286.
Illinois Income Tax
Your LLC members must pay Illinois individual income tax at 4.95% on their share of LLC income. If your LLC is taxed as a partnership or S corporation, the LLC may owe a 1.5% replacement tax on Illinois-taxable income. Consult a tax professional about your specific tax obligations and estimated tax payment deadlines (April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15).
Professional LLC Registration
If your LLC renders professional services that require Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licensure (such as law, medicine, accounting, or engineering), you must obtain a certificate of registration as a Professional LLC. This is a separate process from your annual report and is handled by IDFPR, not the Secretary of State. Visit https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/pllc.html for details.
Conclusion
Your Illinois LLC annual report is a straightforward but mandatory filing. You must file before the first day of your anniversary month each year, pay the $75 fee, and report your current LLC information. Filing online through the Illinois Secretary of State's portal is the fastest and most reliable method.
Missing the deadline triggers a $100 late penalty after 60 days and risks administrative dissolution after 120 days. Reinstatement is possible but costly ($200 plus back fees and penalties). The simplest approach is to file on time every year.
Mark your anniversary month on your calendar, gather your LLC information, and file at least 30 days before the deadline. If you have questions about your specific filing obligations, contact the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division, at (217) 524-8008 or visit https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/limited-liability-companies.html.
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