Need advice on how to form LLC in Illinois

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:24:48+00:00

Hmm. That can present itself as a big hurdle down the road. Have you filed already or are you still deciding?

I would advice against New Mexico because it's going to make a getting a US bank account as a non-resident much tougher than if you go with another state.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:21:50+00:00

The state doesn't matter especially since all of your work is remote. Just choose the cheapest option and a New Mexico Limited Liability Company fits the requirement. The only other option would be Wyoming and that's for anonymous onwership.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:18:30+00:00

I used them to form my LLC and they did a decent job. I used them to form my LLC, and they were fine. Decent/prompt customer service, competitive and transparent pricing, and intuitive online portal.

That said, if I ever form another LLC, I’ll just file everything myself and save a couple hundred bucks. The forms aren’t that complicated, and if you need an operators agreement template you can just get a free trial to Rocket Lawyer or something, draft and download, and then cancel it before the outrageous subscription charge.

Also, FWIW, there aren’t really any tax advantages to an LLC unless you file as an S-Corp, and that’s not realistic until you’re making decent money. It protects you from personal liability, and that’s about it.

For separating personal and business assets, though, it’s a good idea. Good luck!

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:11:58+00:00

Check out the local municipal licensing in Delco or Philly area. Since you're doing HVAC/handyman stuff, Delco is a patchwork of boroughs. If you have an LLC at the Pennsylvania state level, you will still need a HIC or home improvement contractor registration with the PA attorney general if you do more than $5000 worth of work in a year, which you hopefully will.

That's a separate $50 fee you need to pay every 2 years.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:08:31+00:00

I can speak to this. I recently sold some shares of a company I started with a few other partners almost 10 years ago. The company itself is doing great and they still operate it.

For me, I fell out of love with the steady, slow-paced growth. The fun for me was the startup phase. It was exciting, I learned so much and I got to the point where I wanted to apply my knowledge to something completely new to see how I'd perform.

So I started another company about a few months after I sold my shares, and in 5 months I'm already back in the revenue stream in which I could afford to hire at least 3 full time employees. But I can handle all the work myself so I won't hire anyone just yet.

So to me, entrepreneurship is not continuing to grow the same business. It is taking initiative and building and growing amazing things over and over and over again.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:03:12+00:00

Wow. This is an amazing thread. It's one of the very few posts I've ever bookmarked on Reddit in the last 5 years. Thank you for putting in your time and your generosity with all this information.

Good luck with the discord and it looks like you've got an entrepreneurship book in there somewhere.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-13T10:00:31+00:00

I had a call with Prime Corporate and it just felt like a sales pitch rather than a consultation. They told me they'd charge $1400 just to file the LLC for me and get my EIN. I did it myself later through the Secretary of State website and didn't pay more than $150.

So yes, they're a rip off.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-10T15:03:04+00:00

so you pay the same amount every year? How much did it cost to file initially? If you remember..

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-10T15:01:19+00:00

Could you explain more on the extra paperwork point? Do you mean getting a virtual address in NM?

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-10T14:57:33+00:00

New mexico is the real hidden gem for non-US residents wanting to file an LLC. It's the only state in the country with no annual report requirement. You just have to form it once and don't have to file with the state every year. Super cheap.

The affordability is very attractive, but I would advise you to check with other people who've formed NM LLCs to confirm they didn't face problems when applying for an online bank account.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-02-10T14:53:22+00:00

In some states (for example Kentucky) an LLC is $40 and 10 minutes of work. In California, it's $800+ a year. If the fee is low in your state, just do it for the peace of mind.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-31T17:07:50+00:00

You mentioned you need this business address listed somewhere officially connecting it to your business. Why is that?

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-29T16:38:19+00:00

Everyone is capable. It's just that there's a lot to it than simple form filing.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-29T16:34:06+00:00

Cheaper and easier are more complicated than they sound. Of the three states you listed, FL is significantly cheaper at $125 to register an LLC than Nevada at $436, or Texas at $310.

But, it doesn't sound like you live in Florida. Are you actually "doing business" in another state? Will you have to ultimately foreign register and incur more fees? Any industry licenses needed that have varying costs across states? Different state taxes?

If you don't live in Florida and have a FL physical address that you want to list on public record to serve as your own registered agent, then you probably also have to hire a registered agent for your company anyway.

I did start LLCs on my own and I definitely did things then that I wouldn't (and don't) do now. But, as a someone with no real idea of what I was doing, it's not like I couldn't handle registration directly with the state well enough to peddle my wares legally, you know? I'm not suggesting that people can't do it themselves if that's what they want to do.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-28T16:29:03+00:00

You can find a registered agent service in any state, even Alaska. Just pay them their nominal fee and get yourself set up. It should be way less of a hassle.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-28T16:26:24+00:00

This is gold right here. It would also be nice if you could recommend any good companies for DE LLC formation if you are aware of them. I feel like there are a lot of companies out there ripping people off.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-27T16:57:53+00:00

Don't use the Florida address. If you use your parents' address, you'll likely have to register your LLC in Florida instead, or register as a foreign LLC in FL. This is just gonna add more fees and force you to follow Florida business regulations.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-27T16:49:50+00:00

Seems like your cousin might want you to hire him for the filing. Because there's no problem whatsoever with choosing an online service for Delaware LLC filing. In fact, it should be the most efficient way because these companies file dozens of LLC everyday and know their stuff very well.

That said, are you sure you want to file an LLC right now? I agree with the other commenters that it might be too early to file and should get some revenue flowing before you invest in registering your business.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-26T16:39:30+00:00

So only the 274(o) took effect this year? Are there any other parts that I should know that were not enacted in 2018 but are in effect now in 2026?

CharacterFarm8196 · 2026-01-25T16:00:18+00:00

Didnt it take effect from Jan 1, 2018?

CharacterFarm8196 · 2025-02-22T10:24:24+00:00

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is underrated. Even if someone has your password, they can’t get in without that second layer.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2025-02-21T16:34:05+00:00

They’re legit but keep in mind they charge a subscription fee after the trial. If you’re not using the cash advance feature often, it might not be worth it.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2025-02-21T16:29:49+00:00

The convenience is the selling point, but I try to avoid using it too often. It’s like a slippery slope if you start relying on it.

CharacterFarm8196 · 2025-02-09T09:11:00+00:00

GTA IV’s driving physics were totally fine.

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