Limited liability company (LLC) formation in Illinois may be thrilling, but it entails several administrative and statutory obligations. The filing procedure, which entails paying several fees to the state, is one of the crucial procedures in creating an LLC. Many business owners use Internet services to streamline procedures in the digital era. To assist you in making an educated choice for your company, this article will walk you through the Illinois LLC filing costs and evaluate a few well-known online providers.
Understanding Illinois LLC Filing Fees
Understand the costs of incorporating an LLC in Illinois before launching into the internet options. These costs are essential to creating an LLC and must be paid to the Illinois Secretary of State. The main fees are broken out as follows:
LLC Name Reservation Fee
You may reserve a distinctive company name before formally creating your LLC. While you finish the required paperwork, this $25 reservation, which is optional, assures that no other business may use the name you've picked.
Articles of Organization Filing Fee
The filing fee for the Articles of Organization is the most crucial charge in the LLC creation procedure. This cost is $150 as of my most recent knowledge update in September 2021. For your LLC to be legally created, you must pay this charge. Remembering that government fees fluctuate is crucial, so it's a good idea to check the most recent rates on the Illinois Secretary of State website.
Annual Report Fee
LLCs in Illinois must submit an Annual Report to the Secretary of State each year. The cost to submit this report is $75 as of 2021. This charge aids in the state's proper record-keeping of operating enterprises.
Registered Agent Fee
A registered agent who accepts legal paperwork on behalf of the company is a requirement for LLCs in Illinois. You can serve as your LLC's registered agent or contract with a reputable registered agent service. There will be extra costs if you choose a registered agent service, which might vary depending on the supplier.
Miscellaneous Fees
Additional charges, such as those for revising your LLC's articles or acquiring certified copies of papers, can be necessary in addition to those already listed. Depending on the service you desire, these costs may change.
Now that you know the costs of creating and maintaining an LLC in Illinois, look at several well-known online tools that may make the process easier.
Comparing Online Services for Illinois LLC Formation
Several internet services are available to help business owners in Illinois create an LLC and maintain compliance. Choosing the service that best meets your requirements is critical since these offerings have various features and fee schedules. Here is a comparison of a few well-known online providers for forming LLCs:
LegalZoom
LLC creation is one of the many services provided by the highly regarded online legal service company LegalZoom. They provide the following three price categories for forming an Illinois LLC:
Economy Package ($79 + state fees)
This bundle comes with standard elements, including a customized operating agreement, creating and filing articles of organization, and a name availability check.
Standard Package ($329 + state fees)
This bundle adds a bespoke LLC kit and seal, lifelong customer support, and expedited processing to the features of the Economy plan.
Express Gold Package ($349 + state fees)
All the Standard package features are included in this version, but processing times are quicker.
Uncover the advantages and drawbacks of forming an LLC in Georgia with our comprehensive blog post.
Incfile
Another trustworthy online provider that offers inexpensive LLC creation services is Incfile. They provide two priced packages in addition to a free plan (you just pay state fees):
Silver Package ($0 + state fees for the first year, then $119/year)
A one-year free registered agent service, company tax advice, and the drafting and filing of articles of organization are all included in the Silver package.
Gold Package ($149 + state fees)
The Gold package adds an EIN (Employer Identification Number), an operating agreement, and the Silver package's capabilities.
Platinum Package ($299 + state fees)
All of the features of the Gold package are included in the Platinum package, along with expedited filing and a company website.
Northwest Registered Agent
In addition to registered agent services, Northwest Registered Agent provides LLC creation services. They have only one price plan:
LLC Formation Service ($225 + state fees)
The creation and filing of the articles of organization, one year of registered agent service, and lifetime customer support are all included in this package.
Rocket Lawyer
Various legal papers and services, including LLC creation, are available via the online legal service portal Rocket Lawyer. They have a price structure based on subscriptions:
Premium Membership ($39.99/month)
With a premium subscription, you can access various legal papers and services, such as LLC creation. The state filing charges are extra.
ZenBusiness
A solution designed exclusively for startups and small enterprises is called ZenBusiness. In Illinois, they have three price categories for forming an LLC:
Starter Package ($49 + state fees)
Essential elements, including a name availability check, the creation and submission of articles of incorporation, and registered agent services for the first year, are all included in the starter package.
Pro Package ($199 + state fees)
The Pro package adds an operating agreement, an EIN, and expedited filing to the Starter package's capabilities.
Premium Package ($299 + state fees)
All of the features of the Pro package are included in the Premium plan, along with worry-free compliance and business domain registration.
Conclusion
Understanding the filing costs and using online services may help you save time and streamline the LLC formation process in Illinois. The best option will rely on your unique demands and financial constraints since each of the online service providers discussed in this article has its own set of features and price plans.