County, State, and Federal Business Registration

The type of business entity you choose will depend on three primary factors: liability, taxation, and record-keeping. Before you establish a business, you may consider consulting with a Corporate/Business Law Attorney or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), who specializes in your industry, for advice about what type of business entity will meet your business needs and what your legal obligations will be.

You must register your business entity with the proper government agency, once the most appropriate business entity is determined :

Accordingly, you, or your licensed representative, must also register for your business taxes with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The City of Chicago business tax registration is part of the business license application process.

For additional information about business and tax registration, please review the chart below:

Accordingly, you, or your licensed representative, must also register for your business taxes with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The City of Chicago business tax registration is part of the business license application process. For additional information about business and tax registration, please review the chart below:

Jurisdiction Description Contact
Cook County Assumed Business Name Registration
The Clerk's Office registers business names known as "assumed names" for new businesses in accordance with Illinois law. An assumed name is issued to any business entity that uses a name other than the name(s) of the individual(s) who own or operate the business. For example, a business called "John Jones, P.C." (i.e. owner's full name and title) does not have to file an assumed name, but "Jones Wrecking" does.