Plumber Permits & Licenses in Joliet, IL

Required for all LLCs; includes publication requirement in some counties (additional ~$100-300 cost)

Franchise tax minimum $250; additional tax based on paid-in capital

Illinois has no statewide plumbing license; issued by local health departments or municipalities. Must pass state exam from IDPH

Required for 4-year apprenticeship (8,000 hours) before journeyman exam eligibility

File with county clerk where business located; publish in local newspaper for 3 weeks

Required if selling materials; plumbing labor generally exempt but materials taxable

Plumbers who install fixtures or sell parts may be required to collect sales tax on materials. Labor for repairs is typically exempt. Registration via MyTax Illinois.

Registration required to withhold Illinois state income tax from employee wages. Must file Form IL-501 for new employer setup. Done via MyTax Illinois.

Employers must register with IDES using Form UI-2A0. New employers pay standard rate until experience-rated. Annual wage reports required.

Required for all LLCs registered in Illinois. Failure to file results in administrative dissolution. Not a tax per se, but a mandatory state filing with financial implications.

Plumbers providing services in Chicago must register for the Chicago Business Tax (Retailer's Occupation Tax). Filed quarterly via e-file system.

LLCs in Illinois are subject to the Replacement Tax, a form of gross receipts tax. Paid annually using Form IL-1065-R. Applies to all LLCs doing business in Illinois regardless of income.

Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN to open a business bank account or comply with state requirements. Apply online via IRS website.

Local taxing jurisdictions may impose additional sales/use tax. Plumbers must collect and remit local tax where applicable. Administered through MyTax Illinois system.

Required for all plumbing contractors operating in Chicago. Must also hold state Plumbing Contractor License.

Chicago businesses exempt; applies to unincorporated areas only. Verify specific township requirements.

Required with Business Affidavit submission. Confirms zoning compliance for commercial plumbing operations.

Limited to administrative work only; no storage of plumbing materials/equipment allowed in residence.

Plumbing shop/office alterations require DOB permit review.

Wall signs under 200 sq ft typically $150; projecting signs higher fees.

Common for plumbing businesses storing pipe dope, solvents, torches.

Required when converting space to plumbing contractor use.

Required for all monitored alarm systems.

Must register state license with county to pull plumbing permits.

State license verification plus county registration required.

Required for all employers with employees in Illinois under the Workers' Compensation Act (820 ILCS 125/). Sole proprietors without employees are exempt. Partners and corporate officers may elect out under certain conditions.

Not legally required by Illinois state law for plumbers, but strongly recommended and often required by contracts, landlords, or municipalities. May be required for certain local permits.

Only required for plumbers performing septic system installation or repair. Bond amount: $10,000. Enforced by IDPH under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 705. Not required for general plumbing under municipal jurisdiction.

Illinois law requires all vehicles registered to a business to carry minimum liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $20,000 property damage (215 ILCS 5/351). Applies regardless of business type.

Not legally required by Illinois for plumbers. However, highly recommended to protect against claims of faulty workmanship, leaks, or water damage. Some clients or contracts may require it.

Not mandated by Illinois law. Only relevant if the LLC sells and installs plumbing products. Recommended if selling products to end users to cover defects or failure claims.

Not applicable to plumbing businesses unless operating a bar or event space. Required only for businesses with liquor licenses issued by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.

Single-member LLCs with no employees may use the owner's Social Security Number (SSN) for federal tax purposes, but must obtain an EIN if they hire employees or elect corporate taxation. Required for opening a business bank account and reporting employment taxes.

OSHA considers plumbing a construction trade; thus, recordkeeping likely applies regardless of size. Confirm via OSHA guidelines.

Many Illinois cities and villages require a local business license or occupational tax license. For example, Chicago requires an annual Home Repair and Remodeling license for plumbers. Check with local clerk’s office.

Labor for plumbing installation in new construction is taxable in Illinois. Repairs and replacements in existing structures are generally exempt. Must track and report accordingly.

Keep employment tax records for at least 4 years. Keep income tax records for 3 years. Keep OSHA logs for 5 years. IDFPR may require license records for 2+ years. Recommended to retain all business records for 7 years.

Effective January 1, 2024, all LLCs must file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN. No annual renewal, but updates required within 30 days of any change in ownership or control. Not a public record.

LLCs are pass-through entities by default. Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities and report income on Schedule C (Form 1040). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Plumbing business owners must pay self-employment taxes on net profits unless electing corporate taxation.

Employers must provide a safe workplace, display the OSHA Job Safety and Health poster, report work-related fatalities within 8 hours and hospitalizations within 24 hours, and comply with hazard communication standards. Plumbers may be exposed to confined spaces, hazardous chemicals (e.g., drain cleaners), and electrical risks, requiring appropriate training and PPE.

While Title III primarily applies to "places of public accommodation," plumbing businesses that maintain websites or apps for scheduling, payments, or customer communication must ensure digital accessibility under current enforcement trends. Physical accessibility (e.g., office space) may apply if clients visit a fixed location.

Plumbers who perform tasks that disturb paint (e.g., pipe replacement, fixture installation) in pre-1978 homes or child-occupied facilities must be EPA-certified renovators. The business must be a certified firm, and at least one employee must be a certified renovator. Requires use of lead-safe work practices, containment, and cleanup verification.

Plumbing businesses must avoid deceptive advertising (e.g., false claims about licensing, pricing, or emergency availability). Must disclose material connections (e.g., paid endorsements) and honor consumer rights under the FTC Act. Applies to websites, social media, and third-party advertising platforms.

All employers must verify identity and work authorization for employees using Form I-9. Employers must retain forms for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later. E-Verify is not federally mandated unless under federal contract.

Plumbing businesses with employees must comply with federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime pay (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week), and recordkeeping requirements. Independent contractor classification must meet FLSA criteria to avoid misclassification penalties.

Requires eligible employees (12 months of service, 1,250 hours in past year) to be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family or medical reasons. Employers must post notice and maintain health benefits during leave.

Plumbing businesses that accept large cash payments (e.g., from homeowners) must file Form 8300 with FinCEN. Applies to cash, cashier’s checks, or money orders received in a trade or business. Helps prevent money laundering.

All Illinois LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State each year on the anniversary of the formation date. Failure to file may result in dissolution. The report includes business address, registered agent, and principal officer information.

Plumbing contractors must renew their license every two years. Renewal requires completion of 6 hours of IDFPR-approved continuing education per renewal cycle. The renewal window opens 60 days before the expiration date.

Six hours of IDFPR-approved continuing education required per two-year cycle. At least one hour must cover the Illinois Plumbing Code. Courses must be from IDFPR-registered providers.

Employers must file Form 941 quarterly to report federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare withheld. Form 940 is due annually for federal unemployment tax (FUTA). W-2 forms due by January 31 annually.

Employers must register with IDOR and file Form IL-501 (monthly/quarterly) and Form IL-508 (annual reconciliation). Due dates depend on assigned filing frequency.

Plumbers may be required to collect and remit sales tax on parts and fixtures. Some localities (e.g., Chicago) impose additional sales tax. Registration via MyTax Illinois is required. Filing frequency assigned by IDOR.

Illinois law requires all employers to carry workers’ comp insurance. Independent contractors are not covered. Employers must display a notice in the workplace stating workers’ comp is provided.

A current, unexpired plumbing license must be visibly displayed at the principal place of business. The Illinois Secretary of State-issued Certificate of Good Standing should also be available for inspection.

Employers must display current federal and state labor law posters, including Minimum Wage, OSHA Safety, EEO, and Family and Medical Leave Act. Posters must be accessible to employees.