Illinois runs its annual report on the entity's own anniversary, and it treats corporations and limited liability companies differently enough that the two filings are worth separating. A corporation's report carries a franchise tax calculation alongside it; an LLC's does not. Both are filed with the Secretary of State, and both update the public record that anyone searching the register will see.
The deadline is your anniversary month
An Illinois entity files its annual report before the first day of its anniversary month, meaning the month in which it was originally incorporated or organised. A company formed in June files before 1 June each year. Filing late attracts a penalty, and continued failure leads to administrative dissolution for a corporation or administrative cancellation for a limited liability company, both of which are visible on the public record long after the entity is reinstated.
What an LLC files, and what a corporation files
A limited liability company's Illinois annual report confirms the registered agent, the registered office and the managers or members, and carries a flat filing fee. A corporation's report does more: it is the vehicle for the franchise tax, calculated on paid-in capital, so the corporate filing asks for figures an LLC filing never touches. This is the practical difference that sends owners looking for two different forms, and it is why the LLC phrasing of the search is a separate question rather than the same one.
Confirming it on the register
The Secretary of State's business entity search returns the entity's name, file number, status, registered agent and the date of its last annual report. That last field is the useful one for diligence: it tells you whether the entity has kept up, without asking the entity. If the status reads anything other than active or in good standing, an unfiled or unpaid annual report is the most common cause.
Questions people ask about file annual report illinois
When is the Illinois annual report due?
Before the first day of the entity's anniversary month, which is the month it was originally incorporated or organised in Illinois.
Is the Illinois LLC annual report different from a corporation's?
Yes. A corporation's report carries the franchise tax calculated on paid-in capital. An LLC's report confirms the agent, office, managers and members and carries a flat fee.
What happens if I do not file?
Penalties first, then administrative dissolution for a corporation or administrative cancellation for an LLC. Both stay visible in the entity's public history after reinstatement.