File your LLC the
right way — without the headache.
You bring the business idea. We organize your details, prepare the formation paperwork, and file it with the State of Illinois or Iowa — then hand you the confirmation documents. We do it as a free courtesy: no service charge, ever. You only ever pay the state's own filing fee.
Need help filing your LLC in Illinois or Iowa?
Yes — Toughjobs handles the paperwork side of forming your LLC, and we do it as a free courtesy, so you can get back to work.
A lot of tradespeople and small business owners know they should "make it official," but the state websites, forms, and fees feel like a wall. We take that off your plate: you give us your business details, we prepare your formation filing based on what you provide, submit it to the correct state office, and return your confirmation documents when the state releases them.
There's no service charge for our part of it. You only ever pay what the state itself charges — we don't add a filing-assistance fee on top. No surprise charges, no drip-drip upsells.
What you get with Toughjobs
- We organize the information the state requires
- We prepare your Articles / Certificate of Organization
- We submit the filing to Illinois or Iowa
- We return your confirmation documents
- Filed as a free courtesy — no service charge, ever
You pay the state. We file it free.
Every dollar below goes straight to the Illinois or Iowa Secretary of State. Toughjobs doesn't add a filing-assistance fee — we prepare and submit your paperwork as a free courtesy. Optional add-ons are state fees too, and only apply if you choose them.
Illinois · Filed free
Illinois LLC Filing
Standard Articles of Organization
- Online processing fee~$3.38
- Name reservation (optional)$25
- 24-hour expedited processing (optional)+$100
Illinois · Series LLC only
Illinois Series LLC
Only required if you're forming a Series LLC
Iowa · Filed free
Iowa LLC Filing
Standard Certificate of Organization
- Name reservation (optional)$10
- Fictitious name / DBA (optional)$5
Standard Illinois processing takes 10–14 days. Name reservation and 24-hour expedited processing are optional — add them only if you need them. Toughjobs charges no service fee for the filing itself; we file your Illinois or Iowa LLC as a free courtesy. State fees can change at any time, so we'll confirm the current amount with you before anything is filed.
Both states require an ongoing report after formation. Illinois charges a $75 Annual Report fee, due every year before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month — file more than 60 days late and Illinois adds a strict $100 late penalty. Iowa charges a Biennial Report every odd-numbered year between January 1 and April 1 — $30 online or $45 by mail. These are separate, recurring state fees, not part of your initial filing.
What your filing fee covers.
The administrative work of getting your LLC formation prepared and submitted correctly.
Information intake & organization
We collect and organize the details the state needs — business name, address, registered agent, members.
Preparation of your formation filing
We prepare your Articles of Organization (IL) or Certificate of Organization (IA) from the details you provide.
Name availability check
We check your desired business name against the state's records before filing.
Submission to the state office
We file your formation paperwork with the Illinois or Iowa Secretary of State.
Return of confirmation documents
Once the state processes and releases them, we deliver your stamped confirmation documents to you.
Clear, upfront pricing
You'll know the state fee and our assistance fee before we file — no surprise charges.
Where our help stops — and yours starts.
We're upfront about this. Filing assistance is administrative help, not legal or tax advice. These items are on you or a licensed professional.
Legal, tax, or accounting advice
We don't advise whether an LLC is right for you, your tax classification, or ownership splits.
Choosing your business structure
Whether you should be an LLC, S-corp, sole prop, or partnership is a decision for you and a professional.
Licenses & permits
Trade licenses, local permits, and professional licensing are your responsibility.
Guarantees of protection or savings
Forming an LLC does not guarantee liability protection, tax savings, loans, or business success.
Accuracy of your information
We file based on the details you give us — you're responsible for making sure they're correct.
State fees themselves
State filing fees are set by the state and passed straight through. We don't mark them up.
Four simple steps to filed.
No jargon, no runaround. Here's exactly what happens.
Tell us about your business
Name, address, who's involved, and which state. We'll send a short, plain-English intake.
We prepare the paperwork
We check your name, organize your details, and prepare your formation filing for review.
We file with the state
Once you confirm and the fee is paid, we submit everything to Illinois or Iowa.
You get your documents
When the state releases confirmation, we hand you your stamped documents — you're official.
Forming an LLC in Illinois.
Illinois LLCs are created by filing Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State. We prepare and submit that filing for you.
The numbers
What it costs
Toughjobs files your Illinois LLC as a free courtesy — we don't charge a service fee. You pay the state directly:
- Articles of Organization: $150 — mandatory for a standard LLC
- Series LLC filing: $400 — only if you're forming a Series LLC
- Online processing fee: ~$3.38 — mandatory when filing through the online portal
- 24-hour expedited processing: +$100 — optional; standard processing takes 10–14 days
- Name reservation: $25 — optional; holds your business name for 90 days before filing
Illinois also requires an ongoing $75 Annual Report to stay in good standing, due every year before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month. File more than 60 days late and Illinois charges a strict $100 late penalty.
What we need from you
To get started
- Your desired LLC name
- Your principal business address in Illinois
- A registered agent and address in Illinois
- The names of the members / managers
- Whether you want standard or expedited processing
Forming an LLC in Iowa.
Iowa LLCs are created by filing a Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State. We prepare and submit that filing for you.
The numbers
What it costs
The Iowa state filing fee for a Certificate of Organization is $50 — one of the lowest in the country, and it's a one-time fee. Toughjobs files it for you as a free courtesy; there's no service charge, so $50 is all you pay to form the LLC.
Iowa is unusual in that the state doesn't publish a standard form — the certificate has to meet the requirements of Iowa law. We handle that so your filing is accepted the first time.
Required & recurring:
- Biennial Report: filed every odd-numbered year between January 1 and April 1 — $30 online via Iowa Fast Track Filing, or $45 by mail
- Registered agent: a physical Iowa street address is required — free if you or a partner serve as agent, or $100–$300/year for a professional service
Optional:
- Name reservation: $10 — locks in your business name before you file
- Fictitious name (DBA): $5 — only if operating under a name different from your legal registration
- Foreign LLC registration: $100 — only if your LLC is already registered in another state and you're expanding into Iowa
What we need from you
To get started
- Your desired LLC name
- Your principal business mailing address
- A registered agent and physical Iowa address
- The names of the members / managers
- Any effective date you want for the LLC
Built for people who work with their hands.
If you're launching lean and want it done right without paying attorney rates for simple paperwork, this is for you.
Contractors & trades
Electricians, plumbers, HVAC, roofers, landscapers ready to run as a real company.
Solo operators
One truck, one owner. You want to be official without the overwhelm.
Brand-new businesses
Starting fresh and want the foundation laid correctly from day one.
Family businesses
Getting the family operation on paper so everyone's clear on the setup.
Side hustles going pro
Your weekend work is turning into real income — time to formalize it.
Small local companies
Established but never filed properly, and want it handled the right way.
Why not just file it yourself?
You can — plenty of people do. Here's an honest look at your three options.
| Do it yourself | Hire an attorney | Toughjobs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | State fee only | $500–$2,000+ | State fee only — filed free |
| Who does the paperwork | You do | They do | We do |
| Good for complex legal needs | No | Yes | Simple filings |
| Risk of a rejected filing | Higher | Low | We check first |
| Feels overwhelming | Often | No | We handle it |
If your situation is complicated — multiple owners with tricky agreements, unusual tax questions, or legal risk — an attorney or CPA is the right call, and we'll tell you so. For a straightforward LLC filing, we save you the time and the stress — and unlike an attorney, we don't charge for it.
Everything else to look legit and get found.
Filing the LLC is step one. When you're ready, Toughjobs can help you actually look like a business and start winning work. All optional, all priced separately.
EIN help
Guidance getting your federal tax ID set up.
Operating agreement template
A starting template for how your LLC is run.
Registered agent coordination
Help lining up a registered agent for your state.
Business email setup
A professional address at your own domain.
Website
A fast, mobile-first site built to book jobs.
Logo & branding
A clean, consistent look across everything.
Google Business Profile
Get on the map and show up in local search.
Bookkeeping & compliance
Bookkeeping setup and ongoing filing reminders.
The important fine print.
DISCLAIMER Administrative filing assistance only
Toughjobs is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. This service is administrative filing assistance only.
Toughjobs does not determine whether an LLC is the right business structure for you, and does not advise on ownership percentages, tax classification, liability protection, licenses, permits, professional licensing, or legal compliance.
Customers are responsible for the accuracy of the information they provide. Forming an LLC does not guarantee liability protection, tax savings, loan approval, or business success.
For legal, tax, or accounting advice, customers should consult a licensed attorney, CPA, or other qualified professional. State filing fees are set by the state and may change at any time; final pricing is confirmed before filing.
Toughjobs charges no service fee to prepare and submit your Illinois or Iowa LLC filing — it's provided as a free courtesy. You are still responsible for the state's own filing fees and any optional items you choose (name reservation, expedited processing, a Series LLC filing, a registered agent service, etc.), which are paid to the state or a third party, not to Toughjobs.
LLC FILING FAQ
Each category below jumps straight to the matching answers, so you're not scrolling past questions that don't apply to you. Want the complete list instead? Open the full FAQ hub underneath.
Let's make it official.
Tell us about your business and we'll handle the paperwork to file your LLC in Illinois or Iowa — the right way, at a fair, flat price.