Illinois LLC Foreign Qualification

How to Register an Illinois LLC Foreign Qualification:

Steps to Foreign LLC Qualification in Illinois

Determine What Name to Use in Illinois. You must select a name for your company that conforms to Illinois state law and is not currently in use within the State. If your LLC name is in use, you must submit an Assumed Name to use instead.
File an Application for Admission. A foreign LLC registration begins by filing an Application for Admission to Transact Business. The form is submitted in duplicate to the Secretary of State Department of Business Services. It must be accompanied by a Certificate of Good Standing or Existence authenticated in the last 60 days.
Pay the Filing Fee. The Department of Business Services charges $150 to process a foreign LLC qualification.
Wait for the Application to Be Processed. Business filings typically take two to three weeks to process.

Foreign LLC Registration Quick Facts

The Foreign LLC Qualification Form: Application for Admission to Transact Business
The Filing Fee: $150
The Agency: Illinois Secretary of State Department of Business Services
Processing Time: 30 days
Annual Report Due Date: Day Before Anniversary Month
AR Fee: $225

How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing or Existence?

A Certificate of Existence (or Good Standing) is necessary to process a foreign LLC registration. The Certificate is acquired from the company’s home state’s Secretary of State office. This document verifies that the LLC is in good standing in its home state, is legally registered to do business, and has paid all of its taxes. The Certificate must be authenticated within the last 60 days or it will not be valid for the foreign LLC qualification.

Illinois Registered Agent

An Illinois registered agent must be designated within the state of Illinois. The agent must have a physical street address (not a PO box), called a registered office, where service of process and other certified business mail can be accepted on behalf of clients. These documents must be forwarded to clients in a timely manner.

Annual Report and Illinois Taxes

Once a foreign LLC registration is complete, the LLC must file an annual report each year. The report is due the day before the anniversary month of registration. If the LLC qualified to do business in Illinois in February, the report is due by January 31. There is a $225 filing fee.

An LLC is a pass-through entity, and all profits are taxed on individual shareholder tax returns. Illinois has a 3.75% state income tax.