FoundIt

Rank / Illinois / Corporation

Illinois corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Illinois, from Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department.

1 year$225
3 years$375
5 years$525

Formation plus recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

Illinois corporation cost at a glance

Forming a corporation in Illinois costs $150 in state filing fees. After that, Illinois charges a report fee of $75 a year. Over five years the state's own charges come to $525, the 35th lowest of the 51 states with full corporation figures here (the median is $285). Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.

Line by line

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee
805 ILCS 5/15.10.
$150www.ilga.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
805 ILCS 5/15.10.
$75www.ilga.gov
Foreign registration (another state's corporation)
805 ILCS 5/15.10.
$150www.ilga.gov

How to form a corporation in Illinois

  1. Check the name. Search the Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department charges $150 to form a corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Illinois. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Stay in good standing. Illinois charges a report fee of $75 a year.

Other business types in Illinois

An LLC costs $150 to start, then a report fee of $75 a year. A nonprofit corporation costs $325 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $10 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state corporation in Illinois

A corporation formed in another state registers in Illinois as a foreign corporation. The Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department charges $150 for the registration.

Common questions

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Illinois?

The state filing fee is $150, and Illinois then charges a report fee of $75 a year.

What does a corporation in Illinois cost over five years?

$525 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.

How much does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Illinois?

$150, paid to the Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services Department.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a corporation in Illinois

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $150

    The document that creates your corporation with the state of Illinois.

    Have it done

    • Tailor Brands$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), processing in 14 business days. Registered agent $199/yr; EIN $99; Essential $199/yr and Elite $249/yr plans add faster filing and compliance
    • ZenBusiness$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name check. Registered agent $99 first year, then $199/yr; EIN +$99
    • Zenind$0 + state feestate filing, name check, filing within 7 days. Registered agent and address +$99/yr; bylaws and certificates $99 unless on Standard or Premium
    • Registered Agents Inc$100 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), online account. Registered agent $200/yr after year 1
    • LegalZoomfrom $149 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name search, tax consultation. Registered agent optional, price not stated on page

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  2. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in Illinois who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in Illinois.

    Have it done

    • ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
    • Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
    • Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  3. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The federal number banks and the IRS use for your corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".

  4. 4

    File the annual report

    $75 a year

    The recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing.

  5. 5

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.

    Options

    • Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
    • Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
    • Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  6. 6

    Optional: elect S corporation status

    Filed with the IRS

    The IRS describes Form 2553 this way: a corporation or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation files it to make an election under section 1362(a) to be an S corporation.

    Do it yourself

    IRS Form 2553.

→NextSet up the business toolsBookkeeping, payroll, invoicing, a website, a phone line. Each company's own published price, side by side.BookkeepingPayrollInvoicingWebsiteBusiness phonePoint of saleCRMInsuranceLegal