Illinois lesson 6 of 6
File the Illinois annual report on time
The annual report is the main ongoing obligation for an Illinois LLC, and its deadline catches people off guard because it falls before the anniversary date, not on it.
The deadline that trips people up
The annual report and its $75 fee are due before the first day of the LLC's anniversary month, the month in which the Articles of Organization were originally filed. That means if your LLC was formed on June 20, the report is due by June 1 the following year, not June 20. The filing window opens 60 days before that date, so there is plenty of time to file once you know the actual deadline.
What happens if you miss it
Under the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act, failing to file by the first day of the second month after the anniversary month triggers a $100 penalty, with a further $100 added for each additional year or part-year of delinquency. Continued failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution of the LLC.
Because the penalty compounds by year, an annual report that has been missed for a couple of years can cost several hundred dollars to fix before you even file the underlying report.
How to file
File the annual report online through the Secretary of State's system or on paper using Form LLC-50.1. Have the prior year's report or file number on hand, since the form asks for updated manager or member and registered agent information.
Key takeaways
- The annual report costs $75 and is due before the first day of the anniversary month, not on it.
- Missing it triggers a $100 penalty, plus $100 more for each further year of delinquency.
- File online through the Secretary of State or on paper with Form LLC-50.1.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly is my Illinois LLC annual report due?
Before the first day of the calendar month in which your Articles of Organization were originally filed, each year, not on the anniversary date itself.
Can I still fix a missed Illinois annual report?
Generally yes, by filing the outstanding report and paying the accumulated penalty, though continued nonpayment risks administrative dissolution.
Official sources
Or let us file your Illinois LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team