How to Dissolve an LLC in Illinois | LLC Closing Guide


Steve Goldstein
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To dissolve a limited liability company one has to take up a set of required steps. In Illinois, if you and the members of the LLC want to discontinue business, then it is necessary to dissolve their business legally to avoid any administrative and legal consequences. To dissolve an LLC in Illinois, you are required to submit a complete Article of Dissolution to the Secretary of State. Before submitting the Article of Dissolution, one must follow the operating agreement.

how-to-dissolve-llc-illinois

If you have an Illinois LLC (domestic or foreign) you must have an operating agreement. The first step towards the dissolution of Illinois LLC is to follow the operating agreement. There are some points to be noted before proceeding with the official paperwork. At first, make sure all the members of the LLC are agreed to dissolve the business. Once all the members are ready, their consent should be recorded via voting. After casting their vote in favor of the dissolution, the legal process must be started. Here are the steps to address for dissolving Illinois LLC.

How to Dissolve an LLC in Illinois

Dissolution of Illinois LLC requires three broad procedural steps. Having an Illinois LLC Operating agreement, close all the tax accounts, and finally submit the Articles of Dissolution form to the Illinois Secretary of State.

Step 1: Follow Your Illinois LLC Operating Agreement

When you have started an LLC as a business entity, then there is an operating agreement that is formed. There are complete details of how the company will function and grow in that operating agreement, which acts as a comprehensive guide. There is also a dissolution process, which is added to your agreement. The common dissolution steps that almost every LLC follows are:-

First of all, the dissolution vote will take place among the LLC members in the dissolution meeting. If the majority is with the YES, then the process goes into legal proceedings.

  • All the dissolution votes will be noted down and recorded with the minutes of the meeting or a consent form.
  • After that, a formal date for dissolving the LLC will be decided.
  • The next step is counting the LLC assets and dividing them among the stakeholders and members accordingly.
  • Finally, the creditors of the business are notified, and the debts of the business are settled.

This is a general process. However, it is strongly recommended to seek professional help to avoid any complications when it comes to terminating an LLC.

Get a Professional Agent Service

When it comes to a limited liability company dissolution, it is important to get professional help. The Illinois registered agent will guide you with everything you need to close your limited liability company. While choosing a registered agent make sure they have a physical street address in the state. A professional service provider helps you to file the Article of Dissolution and close your various tax accounts without any hassle. Below are the best LLC services we strongly recommend for you.

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Step 2: Close All Tax Accounts

Every action that an official business takes is legally bound to some minimum business taxes. For that, various accounts, especially business entity tax account, are maintained by the state government with the help of various departments. You should consider all the taxes that you have paid for your LLC’s duration and make a list of them.

You must contact all government entities and clear the amount of outstanding taxes due until the date you have decided for dissolution. All the taxes must be paid in advance so that you don’t face any issues in the further process of shutting down your LLC.

Some of the common taxes that limited liability companies have to pay are:

  • Unemployment insurance tax
  • Employee withholding tax if your LLC has employees.
  • If your LLC is engaged in selling taxable goods then they are liable to pay the sales and use tax.

Most of these taxes are normally filed, but some departments require official paperwork, without which it is impossible for the business to close their accounts. Apart from business taxes, federal taxes, personal income taxes, and franchise taxes are to be considered. For the franchise taxes, a franchise tax form is required.

That is why the LLC owner should go through the sales tax guide and hire an accounting service. If you want to do the accounting yourself or make accounting easy, try FreshBooks.

Tax clearance

While dissolving the Illinois LLC, the owner does not require to obtain a tax clearance certificate. However, if you have filed federal taxes, then you must go through the final return option on your IRS form.

The IRS form for the LLC that are classified as partnerships is form 1065, and those LLC’s who have registered themselves as corporate should check IRS form 1120.

Step 3: File Articles of Dissolution

There is a list of dissolution documents that you, as an LLC owner, have to file. Once these articles are filed, the legal existence of the LLC will be over. Like an Illinois Articles of Organization, one has to file Illinois LLC Articles of Dissolution. The dissolution procedure and filing the articles of dissolution form is very easy and is discussed below.

  • First of all, the LLC owner(s) has to file the Article of Dissolution. There are multiple methods of filing available, such as file by mail, in-person drop, or/and online filing. To get the application form you need to visit the Secretary of State Website of Illinois state.
  • You can follow the filing instruction on the official portal so that the steps for dissolution will be easier to complete.
  • In that particular SOS website, the LLC owner has to look for the Domestic LLC Articles of Dissolution page.
  • If you want to dissolve Illinois Foreign LLC then look for the Foreign LLC Dissolution process.
  • There is a form available on this page, which is the article of dissolution you are looking for. You have to download that pdf form and start filling it.
  • You must fill in all the important and legal information in the form, so you should be extra careful.
  • After filling in all the important information, you must choose the mode of payment you want to use to pay the LLC dissolution filing fees.
  • After filling in every detail, one should submit the form through an official mail address and make a payment.
  • It takes 3-5 business days after filing of articles of dissolution if you are filing it by mail or in-person.

Mail to (OR in-person drop),

Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
Limited Liability Division
501 S. Second St., Rm. 351
Springfield, IL 62756

Filing Fee: $5


The LLC you owned is dissolved, and you are free from all the liabilities linked with the LLC and its taxes. A copy of both original articles and recorded articles should be submitted in front of the probate judge. Now it’s his call that he accepts your expedited dissolutions or not.


Points to Be Noted When Dissolving Illinois LLC

Apart from these three steps, no major dissolution rules are there in Illinois. However, there are some other tasks one has to keep in mind while dissolving an LLC legally.

Winding Up

There are some purposes of LLC that require some attention even after dissolution, known as winding up. The task of winding up includes.

  • For a certain period, the property of a business requires preservation.
  • If there is any civil case against the LLC, then the owner needs to finish them.
  • Settle all the existing disputes of LLC.
  • Transfer all the property of LLC to the names of partners.
  • Release all the liabilities that the LLC owes to others.
  • Rightful distribution of all the assets among members, according to their percentage of partnerships.

Cost of Dissolving LLC

LLC cost in Illinois includes the formation as well as dissolution fees. To dissolve an LLC in Illinois, LLCs have to file an Article of Dissolution. The filing fee is $5. The details are mentioned on the second page of the article dissolution filing form. Following are the ways to pay for the dissolution,

  • You can select a payment pick-up option.
  • There is an option of direct account transfer through your prepaid accounts.
  • LLC owners can also use their Credit cards, providing their complete details and types. Along with that, an original signature is required to authorize the transaction state will make.

After Dissolving Your LLC

After you formally dissolve your LLC, your business name will not be reserved anymore. Any other business entity will be eligible to use your Illinois LLC name immediately after 120 days of dissolving your LLC. On the other hand, if you have a foreign LLC in other states, then you must comply with the SOS of the state after the dissolution of your LLC in Illinois. A registered agent can help you do the needful.

Reasons Behind Dissolving Illinois LLC

There are so many types of business entities. It is all about how someone makes one, and we all know that it is important to do it with proper regulations. So if we are creating a company, we have to check these regulations while shutting it down. There can be so many reasons why someone would want to dissolve an LLC in Illinois. Let’s take a look at them,

  • If the partners no longer want to be in the business, it will be essential to dissolve it.
  • It is possible that one of the partners died because of something. So it will be essential to do the same.
  • The fight among the owners can cause the company to go for voluntary dissolution.
  • It is possible that the company is not making much money, so yes, that is also a reason.
  • Selling the company to someone else is also why people dissolve the company.

Top Businesses in Illinois!

To make a good company, one must know what they are doing. So if they have researched the facts and figures, they will find what is suitable for a start. That is why everyone knows that if you want to start an LLC in Illinois, you better get the figures right. But don’t worry, we have done that for you too!

  1. Financial industry: With the help of the financial industry, everyone can get what they need in their career or life. So this industry, which includes financial services, leasing, renting, real estate, and insurance, is crucial. If we talk about Illinois, it contributed $166.55 billion in the GDP, which is an immense amount of all industries.
  2. Manufacturing: The material that we use is the finished good, so do we get that directly? No, we don’t. The goods that we get are the ones that go through the manufacturing companies of the state. The industry of manufacturing of Illinois contributes $96.31 billion to GDP, and it’s a jaw-dropping amount for sure.
  3. Wholesale trade: No state can be without the wholesale or the retail trade. Even though both these industries are essential, wholesale trade gets a better economy for the state. It represents $55.77 billion to GDP, and it is a good amount.

Illinois LLC Dissolution Review

Time needed: 5 minutes

Here’s a recap of the steps you must follow when dissolving your Illinois LLC. Click on the steps in this list if you want to read the full detail.

  1. Follow Your Illinois LLC Operating Agreement

    Remember that when you started, you created an operating agreement. Use this agreement as a guide in proceeding with the dissolution of your LLC.

  2. Close All Tax Accounts

    Make sure you close all your tax accounts to avoid incurring further costs.

  3. File Articles of Dissolution

    File the article of dissolution to make it known to the state where your LLC operates is that you are indeed no longer in business.

F.A.Qs

Is there any filing fee the LLC owner has to pay for dissolving their LLC?

Yes, in Illinois, there is a fee of $5 to be paid for filing the Articles of Dissolution. Articles of Dissolution must be submitted to the Illinois SOS.

Is the revenue department clearance required for dissolution?

No requirement of revenue department clearance is required until the SOS of Illinois accepts the dissolution form.

Can someone else take the name I use for my LLC?

The name will also get deregistered with the dissolution of the LLC. But the name will not be allotted for the next 120 days. After that, if some business wants to name their LLC after the name chosen by you, then it is their choice.

Are there any financial penalties if I don’t dissolve my LLC legally and miss the reports?

If you have not dissolved your LLC, you are liable for business privilege tax, and if it is not paid on time, you are leveraged with 10% of the amount of tax or $50. After that, the additional penalties will increase by $1 per month. If it goes unpaid for a longer duration, then the chances of seizing your property can also recover the tax.

Are there any fees for the probate judge who is taking the dissolution decisions?

Yes, if you are dissolving your LLC, then you have to pay some amount to the probate judge also who was also present during the time of your LLC formation in the probate office. The minimum fee of the judge is $50, which can vary.

What is the Cost to Dissolve an LLC in Illinois

To dissolve an LLC in Illinois you need to file the Statement of Termination with the Illinois Secretary of State via mail or in person for $5.

Dissolving an LLC in Illinois involves a series of legal and administrative steps, all of which come at a cost. While the exact price tag can vary depending on the complexity of the dissolution process and whether a lawyer is involved, there are several common expenses that owners should be aware of.

One of the main costs of dissolving an LLC in Illinois is the filing fee. The Illinois Secretary of State charges a fee to process the formal paperwork required to officially dissolve an LLC. This fee can range from a few hundred dollars to upwards of a thousand dollars, depending on the circumstances of the dissolution.

Additionally, owners may need to pay for legal assistance to navigate the dissolution process. While it is not required to hire a lawyer to dissolve an LLC in Illinois, having legal counsel can help ensure that all necessary steps are taken and that the business is properly closed out. Lawyers typically charge by the hour, so the final cost will depend on the complexity of the case and the amount of time required to complete the process.

Another often-overlooked cost of dissolving an LLC is the payment of any outstanding debts and obligations. Before an LLC can be officially dissolved, all creditors must be paid off and any remaining assets must be distributed among members. This can include settling outstanding business loans, paying vendors, and resolving any outstanding legal issues. Failing to properly address these financial obligations can result in legal consequences down the line.

Finally, owners should also be aware of any tax implications associated with dissolving an LLC in Illinois. Depending on the structure of the LLC and the circumstances of the dissolution, there may be tax liabilities that need to be addressed. Owners should consult with a tax professional to fully understand their tax responsibilities and ensure that they are in compliance with state and federal tax laws.

In conclusion, the cost of dissolving an LLC in Illinois can add up quickly, making it essential for business owners to budget accordingly. By understanding and preparing for the various expenses associated with the dissolution process, owners can ensure a smooth and legally compliant closure of their business. While the exact cost may vary depending on individual circumstances, being aware of the potential expenses and taking proactive steps to address them can help minimize financial surprises and ensure a successful dissolution process.

In Conclusion

Limited liability companies reduce owners’ personal liability. Having an LLC is quite cost-effective. However, if it is required to close down the business, then the dissolution process should be done legally. Get a professional service to get everything done. We hope this article helps you to close your LLC in Illinois. If you have any query do let us know in the comment box.

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